Adeel Malik
Our children are our future. We all know that. What we teach them from a young age is extremely important as they simply don’t know any better between what’s truly right and wrong.
Recently, a Muslim mother in Hong Kong came across a disturbing picture inside her 6-year-old son’s general studies subject classwork book. It had an image of a boy and a girl completely naked.
“I was totally shocked and I went to my husband to show him what’s being taught to our son,” said the mother to Muslim Council of Hong Kong. “It wasn’t a homework book, it was done during class and I thought to myself what if I didn’t check the book since it wasn’t homework?”
The parents decided to contact their son’s class teacher.
“I whatsapped the class teacher explaining that as parents we totally understand the message being taught and we agree with it as it’s important our children are made aware of this sick problem in society,” the concerned mother continued.
“However the way it was shown was totally unacceptable. Such nudity will corrupt the innocent minds!”
The class teacher replied to the mother stating she will pass the complaint to the school’s relevant subject teacher. The General Studies teacher thereafter got in touch with the mother. The mother said:
“After a couple of days, I got a call from the teacher. She said when the picture was put in the book, she was one of those who were in fact against it, however, the other teachers didn’t feel anything wrong with it and exclaimed that parents won’t mind it too!”
The mother explained the importance on parents to address such matters seriously and to not overlook them. The teacher then said to the mother:
“I have spoken about this with the panel heads, telling them a parent has complained. We have agreed to cover up the bodies for next school year’s publish of the book.” She further said:
“The reason why we didn’t make any change before was because no one made any issue, until you did so. For our next publish next year, we will make sure they are clothed.”
This ought to be a good reminder to all parents that:
- Check your children’s homework and classwork, you are as much responsible for what they learn as are the teachers.
- Address issues in a proper way to the right people. Do not think nothing will happen and so there’s no point complaining.
- For Muslims, know that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said
“…A man is the guardian of his family and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children and she is responsible for them…
No doubt, every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.”
