KUALA LUMPUR – No “extremist rhetoric”, no blaming other religions, and no manipulation of facts are among the several “don’ts” for the Education Ministry’s Palestine Solidarity Week in schools.
After furore from various quarters over the programme, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek tonight shared an infographic on X (formerly Twitter) detailing the prohibitions when organising activities for school children.
Do's dan Dont's Pelaksanaan Minggu Solidariti Palestin di Institusi Pendidikan Bawah Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. #MalaysiaMADANI pic.twitter.com/OMAqIKvnyv
— Fadhlina Sidek (@FadhlinaSiddiq) October 30, 2023
The infographic also advised institutions against using symbols or icons that could incite controversies and offend other parties.
Other actions prohibited during the week-long programme are:
– blaming an entire religion for certain individuals’ actions;
– conducting activities that provoke conflict;
– practising partisan politics;
– showing one-sided perspectives on the Israel-Palestine war.
Instead, Fadhlina urged schools to focus on humanity and advocate understanding by underscoring the importance of peace, and not violence.
The Nibong Tebal MP also encouraged inviting speakers with balanced perspectives and experienced non-governmental organisations to collaborate in activities for students.
Other “do’s” in Fadhlina’s guidelines are organising charity campaigns for humanitarian aid and holding open question-and-answer dialogues.
She also said all activities to be held during the week should focus on peace, justice, and harmony.
The expanded guidelines tonight follow the ministry’s statement three days ago banning the use of “elements of extremism” and violence from the programme.
The ministry was then responding to criticism of Palestine Solidarity Week in schools after video clips went viral showing certain schools holding pro-Palestine activities in an aggressive manner, including having pupils and teachers hold toy rifles and wear headscarves, as well as a recent case of a person shooting a flaming arrow at the Israel flag without the supervision of any Fire Department personnel.
The ministry had initially introduced the Palestine Solidarity Week, which is scheduled to begin today, in all education institutions under its purview. It aims to nurture empathy and to enlighten students on the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israel-Palestine war.
However, it did not issue any specific guidelines at the time.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed schools to properly manage their activities, explaining that schools are also not forced to participate.
Various groups have since urged the ministry to reevaluate the programme, or simply cancel it altogether. – October 30, 2023