Love poems axed from schools under Syria’s new ‘extremist’ curriculum

Syria’s new leaders have been criticised after they announced plans to remove poetry about women and love from schools under a new “extremist” curriculum.

Other controversial revisions include describing Queen Zenobia’s conquering of Egypt – which helped transform her realm into an empire almost equal to Rome – as “fiction”.

Syrian women chant slogans as they hold placards with Arabic that read: “No for free society without a free woman” (right) and “Secularism” (left) during a protest in December to demand a secular state.Credit: AP

The new curriculum also removes references to gods from ancient history courses, as well as a period of history that saw France rule Syria.

It comes amid concern both in Syria and abroad over the future direction of the country under its new government, led by former al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The rebel group, which toppled the previous Bashar al-Assad regime, is a designated terrorist organisation in Britain and the United States, though there have been tentative steps to engage with its rulers after they promised to create an inclusive society.

The country’s interim government played down the changes to the curriculum after the proposals were criticised for their “religious tone”.

Rami Jarrah, a Syrian activist and journalist, wrote on social media: “Religious studies should be taught to students not to build faith, but to provide a historical understanding of religion from an objective standpoint.

“Such changes to the curriculum are fundamental changes with far-reaching societal consequences. Such actions go well beyond the duties of a caretaker government.”

Shiyar Khaleal, another activist and journalist, also warned that “education based on extremist ideologies may shape individuals whose ideas threaten regional and international security”.

The changes were published on the Syrian education ministry’s Facebook page on Wednesday, along with a declaration that the country’s nationalist education would be replaced by “Islamic or Christian” religious teachings.

Members of the new security forces take part in an operation to detain militiamen affiliated with ousted president Bashar al-Assad in Homs (according to the state media) on Thursday.Credit: AP

Also included in the new curriculum is a claim that “Jews” and “Nasara”, a derogatory term for Christians, are the subject of a verse from the Koran about people who had angered God.

Philosophy units on topics such as Chinese thought are also to be deleted, with any remaining content rephrased, as are texts referring to rule by the Ottoman Empire, which was previously described as “the brutal Ottoman authority”.

The amendments further include the removal of content about Assad, something which has been well received, as well as dozens of other changes to the study of science, religion and history.

The national anthem has also been cut from textbooks, with the ministry describing it as “the [Assad] regime’s anthem”.

Hussam Hammoud, a Syrian journalist, wrote on social media: “After reviewing the amendments, it’s clear that, aside from removing signs of the criminal Assad regime, the rest [of the] changes have a distinct religious tone.”

He added that some citizens had called for protests against the changes.

Syria’s education ministry published a statement on Thursday that said the curriculum would remain in place until it was reviewed by a specialist committee.

A spokesman added that officials had directed the removal only of content that glorified “the defunct Assad regime” and that schoolbooks would be updated to include the Syrian revolution flag.

He also said other modifications related to “incorrect information” that had been adopted by the former regime.

Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (foreground), formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.Credit: AP

The ministry previously announced it would not restrict girls’ rights to education and that primary schools would remain mixed.

Joshua Landis, director of Oklahoma University’s Centre for Middle East Studies, said the proposed curriculum suggested a shift from a “nationalist to Islamist interpretation of Syrian history”.

He wrote on social media: “Nothing is surprising about these changes to Syria’s school textbooks. They are in line with traditional Islamic education.

“The problem is that they will shock secular Syrians and many Christians, not to mention Alawis, Druze and Ismailis, who are considered to be worse than Christians and Jews and who are not protected within Islamic law.”

A couple watches the sunset atop Mount Qassioun, which was opened to the public after the fall of the Assad regime.Credit: AP

He added: “Just as importantly, Western powers and Israel will worry that [Ahmed] Sharaa’s government is educating a new generation to attack Israel. This may delay the lifting of sanctions, which will be so important to the success of the new Syria.”

De facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has sought to assuage the concerns of Syrian minorities, meeting community leaders and pledging to respect Syria’s ethnic and religious diversity.

Following the toppling of the Assad regime almost a month ago, the country is now coming to terms with the widespread destruction left by 13 years of civil war.

The new education ministry faces a mammoth task, with half the country’s schools destroyed or damaged during the war. More than half of Syria’s children – about 3.7 million – are out of school, said Save the Children.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Syria’s new foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, travelled to Saudi Arabia, marking the transitional government’s first official overseas visit.

He wrote on social media: “Through this first visit in the history of free Syria, we aspire to open a new and bright page in Syrian-Saudi relations, befitting the long shared history between the two countries.”

Sharaa told Saudi state television last week that the country would “certainly have a large role in Syria’s future”.

The Telegraph, London

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