The curriculum taught over the past two years by Syria's Dar al-Wahi al-Sharif school network includes extremist material and portrays both Jews and Christians as enemies of Islam, according to an analysis of 65 official textbooks and workbooks conducted by the Alma Research and Education Center.
Notably, the Dar al-Wahi al-Sharif school network has been integrated into Syria’s official education system, having received official status and receiving government funding. The center noted that, in light of the country’s financial crisis, many families will be persuaded to enroll their children despite the school's ideological nature because it requires only a nominal fee and, in some cases, offers tuition exemptions.
Textbooks portray Jews, Christians as enemies and glorify jihad
The material, which is taught to students from kindergarten through sixth grade across institutions in major Syrian provinces including Aleppo, Hama, Damascus, Latakia, and Deraa, includes the delegitimization of Israel and frames the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a religious conflict and glorifies jihad, the analysis found.
In one Grade 4 Social Studies Workbook, focusing on Syria’s borders, students were asked:
“What is the name of the land that the Zionist enemy seized?"
The center noted that “Zionist enemy” was taught as a fact, and such a statement portrays Israel as a foreign entity stealing Arab land. Maps appearing throughout the curriculum also label the entire territory of Israel as “Palestine.”
The textbooks were also said to glorify Jihad against “infidels,” portraying Jews and Israelis as kafirs.
In a chapter dealing with "Contemporary Jihadist Movements" in a 4th grade Islamic Studies textbook, the center noted that it was implied that jihad should be waged in “Palestine” in order to confront "the oppressive Jews."
The textbook defined "Offensive Jihad" as the struggle that is aimed at "Going forth against the infidel enemy, gaining control over him and his land until the lands and the people submit to Islam.”
Fourth-grade workbook celebrates Qassam
Another 4th-grade workbook, this time for social studies, celebrated the life of Sunni Muslim cleric Izz al-Din al-Qassam.
"He continued to carry his weapon against Christianity and Judaism throughout Syria and Palestine until the final moment of his life..." the textbook read.
Textbook tells students Jews 'stolen your country'
Later in the chapter, the workbook tells students, "The Jews have filled your land and stolen your country..." and includes the Qassam quote, "I shall not return to this mosque until the Jews, and the English have been expelled."