“An UNRWA education system which develops the full potential of Palestine Refugees to enable them to be confident, innovative, questioning, thoughtful, tolerant and open minded, upholding human values and religious tolerance, proud of their Palestine identity and contributing positively to the development of their society and the global community”.But UNRWA does not only teach secular subjects, as it implies. In Gaza at least, UNRWA teaches Islam.
And some of that education is far from tolerant.
On the UNRWA jobs website, it notes that there are interviews this coming week for teachers in Gaza. Only two specific subjects of expertise are listed: English and "religious education."
Indeed, the Palestinian Arab UNRWA site has curricula, sample exams and more for religious education.
Here is a photo essay for one school that had a Quran Day, where they were encouraged to memorize the Quran. A similar ceremony from this past May can be seen here.
Quran lessons can be found in UNRWA school sites.
UNRWA social studies sites talk about the importance of Jerusalem to Muslims and Christians, but not for Jews.
The Maghazi Prep School for Girls makes everyone know it has an explicitly Quranic agenda. It also mentions that its vision is to help the girls raise a generation of people who will "defend their country."
And this is only the tip of the iceberg.
At the Nusseirat Primary School website, we see a lesson on honoring one's parents:
It was narrated that Abu Abdul Rahman Abdullah bin Masood may Allah be pleased with him said: I asked the Prophet peace be upon him: which work does God prefer He answered: Saying prayers on time. I said: Then what? He said: honoring one's parents. I said: Then what? He said: Jihad in the way of Allah. Agreed.Here is a poem about how Zionists raped Palestine and how the author will return to Jaffa.
...You who sees what is happening to the Muslim Ummah everywhere .. I see the daily violations of the Muslims .. O of rending his heart when you hear the news of Muslims in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries of the Jihad .. you who wish to join the ranks of the Mujahideen and Jihad with them against the Jews and the Crusaders .. you who want to jihad hard but you can not ..
There are essays about the beauty of becoming a martyr.
There are stories of young men who asked their parents for permission to wage jihad and who died heroically.
All of these can be found in official UNRWA school websites. Many of the school logos include the wreath symbolizing the UN. Some girls' school sites, like this Bureij girls' junior high school seem to have not a single student without a hijab.
And all of them directly contradict what UNRWA's stated educational standards are.
Are Palestinian Christians forced to attend mandatory Quran classes run by UNRWA? Should the UN be in the Islamic education business? How much of UNRWA's budget goes towards "religious education?" Are Western donors to UNRWA even aware that they are funding these lessons?
Shouldn't someone ask UNRWA about this?
UPDATE: Here's a document that talks about the "cruelty, cunning and vileness of Jews" on a UNRWA school website.
And here's a photo of a Quran celebration at another UNRWA school - with the UN logo clearly visible.
