Wanted: faith in the future

Tuesday April 1, 2008
The Guardian

More than a third of British Muslims have no qualifications. Is the entire school system failing large numbers of students and what can be done?
Riazat Butt investigates

The Qur'an was revealed over a period of more than 20 years, with the prophet Muhammad receiving the first revelation in AD610 in the Cave of Hira, near Mecca. He was told: "Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot. Read, for your Lord is most generous, Who teaches by means of the pen, teaches man what he does not know."

Muslim scholars therefore see the pursuit of knowledge as a duty, with the Qur'an containing several references to the rewards of learning.

This sacredness is, however, lost on a third of British Muslims - or if they see it, they are not being empowered to achieve it. According to the Office for National Statistics, around 33% of British Muslims of working age have no qualifications - the highest proportion of any religious group in this country...Click here to continue