Theme: Islam and IslamophobiaEditorial
Welcome to a shorter, but no less important edition of the Race Equality Newsletter for Schools. It is shorter, not because there is less to talk about, but because we have listened to feedback from readers. So we have tried to squeeze the same amount of content into less space. We cover the breadth with shorter articles and have tried to increase the amount of signposting to resources and sources of information. You can also explore www.irespect.net for information in more depth. And we hope you will! We have produced a NEW on-line version of the Newsletter - which you can read on the irespect website - this on-line edition contains further information to complement the printed version. The theme of this edition is Islamophobia and the need to counter it. There are about 1.8 million Muslims in the UK, practising a peace-loving religion. Yet sometimes to read the National press you might come away with a completely different impression of the meaning of Islam. It is important for all of us who work with children to continue to provide information, encourage understanding and enable them to take a balanced view. This edition of the newsletter provides you with some additional pointers to help you in your work. Our centre page pullout is a guide to the Five Pillars Of Islam written by local Muslim pupils themselves. In September of last year, Salma Piperdy began work with the Local Authority as School Liaison Officer for Muslim Issues. Salma has been busy talking to Headteachers, class teachers, subject leaders and pupils about Islam. Salma is not a spokesperson for Islam, but a practising Muslim who brings her own experience to the school environment. If you would like Salma to visit your school she can be contacted on 01452 427261. Her services are free to schools in Gloucestershire. But please book early. You will find a profile of Salma in this edition. Since the last edition, CIRCLE has been restructured to coincide with the emergence of the Children & Young People's Directorate. (The LEA is no more!). CIRCLE is now the Race Equality & Diversity Service, but our function remains broadly the same - supporting access and the achievement of minority ethnic pupils and occupational Travellers. Our phone number is still 01452 427261, but our email address has changed to reads@gloucestershire.gov.uk. We are still at Hucclecote. We would be pleased to hear from you. Giles Diggle Race Equality Adviser Head of Race Equality and Diversity Service |
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