Outrage as school asks pupils to pretend to convert to Islam for homework assignment
By Siobhan Fenton, Independent:
A school in Guernsey has provoked outrage after asking pupils to write a letter pretending they are converting to Islam.
Pupils aged 12 and 13 at Les Beauchamps High School were asked to pen the creative writing exercise as part of a religious education lesson. They were asked to write a letter to their parents explaining that they had converted to Islam and hope that their family would respect their decision.
The homework briefing stated: “Complete the letter you started or started planning in class to your family on how you are converting to Islam. Include: How you’re feeling, how becoming a Muslim has changed your life, how much you love your family and hope they can accept your choice.
“Focus: How would it make you feel having to tell your parents this? How would/ could they react?”
The assignment ended with the clarification: “Please also note this is a piece of creative writing and completely fictional YOU ARE NOT ACTUALLY CONVERTING TO ISLAM. It is purely to test your knowledge of what we have learnt this year and how well you can argue objectively!!!!!!!!”
However, despite this clarification, locals have been outraged and have taken to the comments section of The Guernsey Press to express their horror at the idea. One concerned resident wrote: “Teach pupils about religion by all means but be very careful when you ask then [sic] to be a Muslim, in this day and age when easily led youngsters are being radicalised it is a dangerous road to be taking.
Rod Liddle takes a wry look at this story.
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