Perhaps realizing the danger to their own throne, the Saudi princes have authorized public efforts against what is now being labeled "extremism" among educators and imams. One such effort was reflected in a recent episode of a popular Saudi television show called Tash Ma Tash.
According to a November 1st report by the English-language Saudi Arab News newspaper, "the Saudi satirical serial 'Tash Ma Tash' exposed the reality of the spread of Islamic extremist thought and provocation in our schools and the entire education administration."
The newspaper went on to describe the episode:
"The episode presented a boy's high school where a science teacher rather than teaching his subject is on the rampage about the duty of every Muslim to kill all non-believers and not to show them sympathy or have any relationship with them. This teacher, who is bearded and has a malicious look, is also shown badgering another moderate teacher for not agreeing with his views and going to the extent of reporting this other teacher to the principal, who shares his views and in turn report him to a committee at the Education Administration for having 'deviant ideas that destroy our youth's minds and religion'. When the moderate teacher goes to the administration to report to higher authorities on the spread of this extremist, intolerant attitude, he is faced with people there having the same attitude. The message is clear — the dangerous consequences of allowing these kinds of people to poison the minds of youth."
According to the Saudi newspaper, the show was not just a flight of fancy.
Arab News quotes a girls' education administrator as saying, "Everything in the episode is true, unfortunately. It is one of the reasons for the spread of intolerance in our society and even terrorism."
Another education administrator concurred. Arab News: "A male source at the Education Administration also said what was shown in the 'Tash Ma Tash' episode was a reflection of what the situation is at the administration especially for those considered moderate. 'Having a beard is almost an unwritten law and is expected of all employees as part of our look,' he said."
As for the high school students, like students in most places, "no one says anything to [the teacher when she promotes extremism] as long as it is not in the exam," explained student Morooj Ibrahim to Arab News.
"Parents are particularly disturbed by what their children learn in school from these extremist teachers," the Saudi paper explained. "Abu Rami transferred his 10-year-old son from his public school to a private school because he kept asking him about whether non-Muslims and even Muslims of different sects will go to heaven or hell and how he should react to them."
There were other reactions, too. "[T]hose who are conservative were completely offended and angry about the episode's portrayal of them. 'I don't like this stereotypical portrayal of religious people as being narrow minded and intolerant,' said Umm Ahmad. 'Not all of us who conform to a strict attire or all men with beards are fanatics or potential terrorists....'"
But many apparently are. As Arab News reported, "The actors of 'Tash Ma Tash' have received death threats after the episode on terrorism was aired...."
According to a November 1st report by the English-language Saudi Arab News newspaper, "the Saudi satirical serial 'Tash Ma Tash' exposed the reality of the spread of Islamic extremist thought and provocation in our schools and the entire education administration."
The newspaper went on to describe the episode:
"The episode presented a boy's high school where a science teacher rather than teaching his subject is on the rampage about the duty of every Muslim to kill all non-believers and not to show them sympathy or have any relationship with them. This teacher, who is bearded and has a malicious look, is also shown badgering another moderate teacher for not agreeing with his views and going to the extent of reporting this other teacher to the principal, who shares his views and in turn report him to a committee at the Education Administration for having 'deviant ideas that destroy our youth's minds and religion'. When the moderate teacher goes to the administration to report to higher authorities on the spread of this extremist, intolerant attitude, he is faced with people there having the same attitude. The message is clear — the dangerous consequences of allowing these kinds of people to poison the minds of youth."
According to the Saudi newspaper, the show was not just a flight of fancy.
Arab News quotes a girls' education administrator as saying, "Everything in the episode is true, unfortunately. It is one of the reasons for the spread of intolerance in our society and even terrorism."
Another education administrator concurred. Arab News: "A male source at the Education Administration also said what was shown in the 'Tash Ma Tash' episode was a reflection of what the situation is at the administration especially for those considered moderate. 'Having a beard is almost an unwritten law and is expected of all employees as part of our look,' he said."
As for the high school students, like students in most places, "no one says anything to [the teacher when she promotes extremism] as long as it is not in the exam," explained student Morooj Ibrahim to Arab News.
"Parents are particularly disturbed by what their children learn in school from these extremist teachers," the Saudi paper explained. "Abu Rami transferred his 10-year-old son from his public school to a private school because he kept asking him about whether non-Muslims and even Muslims of different sects will go to heaven or hell and how he should react to them."
There were other reactions, too. "[T]hose who are conservative were completely offended and angry about the episode's portrayal of them. 'I don't like this stereotypical portrayal of religious people as being narrow minded and intolerant,' said Umm Ahmad. 'Not all of us who conform to a strict attire or all men with beards are fanatics or potential terrorists....'"
But many apparently are. As Arab News reported, "The actors of 'Tash Ma Tash' have received death threats after the episode on terrorism was aired...."