abdulhakeem
06-11-03, 09:12 PM
By Dilwar Hussain, Special For IOL
LONDON, November 5 (IslamOnline.net) - The Islamic Society of Britain (ISB) has launched a new website aimed at helping British Muslim pupils learn about Islam in a fun and exciting way, focusing on Muslim heritage, culture and Islam’s contributions to modern day life.
The Virtual Classroom website (http://www.isb.org.uk/virtual/newsite/index.htm) was launched Monday, November 3, as part of this year's Islam Awareness Week (IAW) running from 3-9 November, an annual event that seeks to bring together Muslims and non-Muslims.
This year’s theme is 'Muslim Heritage,' which highlights the part played by Islamic civilization in modern life.
Designed and maintained by British Muslim educators and academics, the five-stage project is available for everybody and intended as an interactive, collaborative venture between schools and the Muslim community by providing a virtual reality interface.
When visiting the website one finds oneself in a classroom. One can Navigate around the classroom and click on various items to be guided to text boxes telling how the objects link to the achievements of Muslim history and then became part of the making of modern Britain and Europe.
It provides Muslim pupils with facts about their religion, which they cannot find in British text books, and valuable Muslim contributions to many vital fields, to mention but a few, science, mathematics, chemistry and botany.
"Actually, the very science that makes computers possible relies on advances in mathematics first pioneered by Muslims. British children should know this," Sher Khan, the National IAW organizer, told IslamOnline.net.
"Many areas of modern science and technology were developed first by Muslims then borrowed and incorporated into European society. It's a side of history too often neglected.
"We want British children to learn of the positive relations, the constructive contribution Islam and Muslims have made to British life. It's the best antidote to all the negative associations they get from the news and from the history books," he added.
Source Of Inspiration
Shayma Izzudien, the co-ordinator of the project, said the website inspires them to make their own contributions to their society.
"Thus helping them to be more active citizens," she said. "It has also been developed to encourage our youth to be proud of their background and heritage."
"We want children to learn they can gain from each other's culture and history. The Virtual Classroom doesn't claim that Muslims did everything! While we have emphasised that the Muslim contribution to knowledge is often forgotten, we are very conscious that we should acknowledge in turn what Muslims learnt from others," she added.
She hoped the site would be seen as an "objective approach in affirming the way the Chinese, Indians, Persians, Greeks and others have also helped humanity."
Attending the project launching were Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Trevor Phillips, head of the Commission for Racial Equality, representatives of the Liberal Democrats and Conservative Party and Iqbal Sacranie the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain.
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-11/05/article05.shtml
LONDON, November 5 (IslamOnline.net) - The Islamic Society of Britain (ISB) has launched a new website aimed at helping British Muslim pupils learn about Islam in a fun and exciting way, focusing on Muslim heritage, culture and Islam’s contributions to modern day life.
The Virtual Classroom website (http://www.isb.org.uk/virtual/newsite/index.htm) was launched Monday, November 3, as part of this year's Islam Awareness Week (IAW) running from 3-9 November, an annual event that seeks to bring together Muslims and non-Muslims.
This year’s theme is 'Muslim Heritage,' which highlights the part played by Islamic civilization in modern life.
Designed and maintained by British Muslim educators and academics, the five-stage project is available for everybody and intended as an interactive, collaborative venture between schools and the Muslim community by providing a virtual reality interface.
When visiting the website one finds oneself in a classroom. One can Navigate around the classroom and click on various items to be guided to text boxes telling how the objects link to the achievements of Muslim history and then became part of the making of modern Britain and Europe.
It provides Muslim pupils with facts about their religion, which they cannot find in British text books, and valuable Muslim contributions to many vital fields, to mention but a few, science, mathematics, chemistry and botany.
"Actually, the very science that makes computers possible relies on advances in mathematics first pioneered by Muslims. British children should know this," Sher Khan, the National IAW organizer, told IslamOnline.net.
"Many areas of modern science and technology were developed first by Muslims then borrowed and incorporated into European society. It's a side of history too often neglected.
"We want British children to learn of the positive relations, the constructive contribution Islam and Muslims have made to British life. It's the best antidote to all the negative associations they get from the news and from the history books," he added.
Source Of Inspiration
Shayma Izzudien, the co-ordinator of the project, said the website inspires them to make their own contributions to their society.
"Thus helping them to be more active citizens," she said. "It has also been developed to encourage our youth to be proud of their background and heritage."
"We want children to learn they can gain from each other's culture and history. The Virtual Classroom doesn't claim that Muslims did everything! While we have emphasised that the Muslim contribution to knowledge is often forgotten, we are very conscious that we should acknowledge in turn what Muslims learnt from others," she added.
She hoped the site would be seen as an "objective approach in affirming the way the Chinese, Indians, Persians, Greeks and others have also helped humanity."
Attending the project launching were Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Trevor Phillips, head of the Commission for Racial Equality, representatives of the Liberal Democrats and Conservative Party and Iqbal Sacranie the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain.
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-11/05/article05.shtml