Fight the Cuts to Islamic Courses

Manchester Metropolitan University is proposing the closure of its Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Programme.

This well established programme for the last 20 years through its two courses, Certificate of Higher Education and Diploma of Higher Education provided students of all communities with an opportunity to study Islamic Culture, Religion, and History, combined with contemporary politics of the Middle East.    At a time when all other Higher Education Institutions in UK and Europe expanding and encouraging teaching of culture and the politics of Islamic world, MMU is planning not to recruit new students on this programme from September 2010, and close down two decades old courses without any academic justification. The courses on this programme at MMU are unique and they encourage young Muslims and Non Muslims to study together to promote tolerance and understanding and respect for Islamic culture at a time when it is under attack. The programme Leader has plans to expand the programme into a more community based approach to spread tolerance and understanding outside the Academic Arena for the benefit of the wider community relations.

By cutting courses, you not only prevent future students from being able to study their preferred course at their preferred University, but you also demoralise staff which directly affects the current students' education.

Petition:

We, the undersigned, call on Vice Chancellor Professor John Brooks of Manchester Metropolitan University to scrap the current proposal to close Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.

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