Simon Barrow outlines the case for Accord at Wardman’s Wire, “making making it clear from the outset that the concern was about selective faith schools”.
There seems to be nothing, yet, from Muslim groups*, although I expect the MCB et al. will be as supportive of the ability to discriminate on the basis of faith, as their Christian and Jewish counterparts are.
Personally, I am supportive of initiatives that bring Muslim faith schools into the state system, where they can be made to “adhere to the national curriculum, undergo regular Ofsted inspections and obey a range of government regulations”.
Just the sheer number of faith schools makes it impossible to abolish them as some people want (putting aside the issue of why they are perceived to be better).
Meanwhile, people who favour the abolition of faith schools might have received a boost with the news that a study has found a link between (Muslim**) faith schools and terrorism (this study is based on interviews with Indian terrorists). On the face of it, this seems to contradict an earlier MI5 briefing note which said that a “well-grounded” religious identity was a counter to violent extremism.
*A minor point to note, but Barrow makes an error when he says The Muslim News called Accord’s views a ’smear’. The Muslim News seems to have just copied the article from IRNA, the official Iranian news agency. Also see Indigo Jo for some thoughts on a Muslim perspective.
**Let’s be honest: this is what the study seems to be talking about (based on newspaper reporting).
