The Dar al-Wahi al-Sharif school network in Syria has been teaching a curriculum that includes extremist content and depicts Jews and Christians as adversaries of Islam, according to a review of 65 textbooks by the Alma Research and Education Center. This school network has been incorporated into Syria’s official education system and is funded by the government, making it an attractive option for families during the country’s financial crisis due to its low fees and tuition exemptions. The curriculum, which serves students from kindergarten to sixth grade in major provinces like Aleppo and Damascus, promotes the delegitimization of Israel, framing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a religious struggle while glorifying jihad. One fourth-grade workbook, for example, refers to Israel as a “Zionist enemy” and teaches that it has seized Arab land, while another emphasizes the concept of offensive jihad against infidels, particularly targeting Jews and Israelis.
Why It Matters
The prevalence of extremist ideology in educational materials has significant implications for societal attitudes and conflict perpetuation in the region. Historical tensions between Israel and Palestine, including military conflicts and territorial disputes, are often exacerbated by educational content that fosters animosity. By presenting a one-sided narrative that vilifies particular religious and ethnic groups, the curriculum risks nurturing a generation that harbors deep-seated prejudices, which could hinder peace efforts and further entrench divisions in a region already fraught with conflict. This situation highlights the broader challenges of indoctrination in educational systems amidst ongoing crises.
Want More Context? 🔎
