Dhul-Qarnayn has already announced some fairly radical changes to the general school curriculum in Mosul and in other areas that the IS group control. Art, music, philosophy and social studies classes have been cancelled and geography, history and literature lessons as well as any teaching about Christianity are against the rules. Some parts of Islamic education classes were also cancelled. Basic subjects such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, Arabic and English will continue to be taught.
Additionally the IS group wanted the phrases - “Republic of Iraq” or “Republic of Syria” deleted from use and “faithless” songs and poems banned, as well as any of the latter that had connotations of patriotism for Iraq or Syria.
In science books, any reference to Darwinism or to natural evolution was to be deleted. This would be replaced by sentences that made it clear that God was the creator of everything. However students would be allowed to study chemistry and physics because these were laws used by God.
The IS group has also opened a new educational institute for religious teachings in central Mosul; there the preachers and imams loyal to the IS group receive religious education. Dhul-Qarnayn ordered all the other students and teachers expelled.
Many parents in Mosul are concerned about the new curriculum but are left feeling helpless. As one educator put it, “this curriculum will only create a generation of extremists and killers”.
Dhul-Qarnayn is also known for his staunch attitude toward the niqab – the traditional veil that covers almost the whole face, leaving only the eyes visible. He believes that even 10-year-old school girls should be wearing it and he has instructed that six-year-old girls must wear the hijab, the veil that covers the head and chest.
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