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U.S.A.
Observations |
- The
undersigned was on a tour of United States of America,
arranged by The United States Department of State,
Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, under
the International Visitor Program, Religious Schools
in the US, A Single Country Project for India, from
March 29 to April 19, 2003 arranged by Meridian International
Center. I thank The Almighty God and the US nation
for the hospitality and put my observations of the
tour here.
- The
Tour was designed smartly, covering cities of Washington
DC, Austin TX, San Francisco CA and Boston MA. Hospitality
was remarkable. The escort officer was quite knowledgeable,
courteous and helpful.
- Educational
institutions of different faiths, private and public,
were visited in the tour.
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First hand knowledge of educational policy and the
latest developments in the educational set up of the
US were studied.
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most striking feature of the Constitution of the US,
which I noticed is that, it keeps a fair distance
between Religion and State. I feel it is the backbone
of all sorts of developments the US has achieved so
far. Due to recent incidents, this historically proven
fruitful policy should not be altered. It is the need
of the hour for all the nations. The US should be
a model for them.
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Other countries should follow suit and maintain fair
distance between religion and state. As on today,
every nation has plural societies of faith, culture,
language and custom. Their constitution must be clear
on the issue and it should be followed with due sincerity.
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Other countries should follow suit and maintain fair
distance between religion and state. As on today,
every nation has plural societies of faith, culture,
language and custom. Their constitution must be clear
on the issue and it should be followed with due sincerity.
- Countries
other than the US should prepare their national secular
curriculum of education with due respect to freedom,
human dignity, human values and scientific approach
and positive history. They should not alter it frequently
and should follow it honestly.
- The
primary responsibility to provide religious education
to children rests with parents. Home education and
weekend classes of their own faith can achieve it.
The state should not unnecessarily meddle with it.
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It should be advised to all that full-time faith-based
education should be introduced only after completion
of basic secular national curriculum.
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No
religion allows terrorism, hatred and fanaticism.
Modern political definition and wishful commentaries
have changed the scenario. Original sources of the
respective faith should be checked and fanaticism
should be dealt with a heavy hand.
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Literature
from the original sources should be prepared to fight
against terrorism. Teachings of human values and dignity
as preached in the original scriptures must be encouraged.
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May
our Lord help His dignified creation called humanity,
in developing a peaceful, tolerant, educated, scientific,
free, and fair atmosphere in which the world can prosper
peacefully, Aameen
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