H.CON.RES.275 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the education curriculum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

<< Click flag for map and country data, Saudi Arabia

Sort of Congress’ ‘No Child Left Behind’ education reform for Saudi Arabia the Resolution would like to see Saudi Arabian public education text books changed.

The Resolution preamble aims to draw a connection between several disturbing facts about Saudi Arabia and what Saudi children are taught in school.

Noting that 15 of the 19 September 11 hijackers were Saudi Arabian, attacks within Saudi Arabia were carried out by Saudi Nationals and that Saudi Arabians have joined the insurgency in Iraq, the Resolution preamble points to Saudi control over all education in that country and basing educational materials on religious teachings of the Wahabi interpretation of Islam. The result, the preamble concludes, has been public education teaching students anti-Semitic, anti-American and anti-Western sentiments.

This should change, the Resolution says, by Saudi Arabia reforming all its’ textbooks and the President should consider the presence or absence of change when deciding on terms of bi-lateral relations with the Saudis.

Sponsor: Representative Jim Davis (R-FL-11^th)

Vote: Passed House 351 to 1 with 2 voting ‘Present’ December 19, 2005 (RC 671)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

Whereas the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, were carried out by 19 hijackers, including 15 Saudi Arabian nationals;

Whereas since September 11, 2001, multiple terrorist attacks have occurred inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that were carried out by Saudi nationals;

Whereas Saudi nationals have joined the insurgency in Iraq, carrying out terrorist activities and providing financial support;

Whereas the Government of Saudi Arabia controls and regulates all forms of education in public and private schools at all levels;

Whereas Islamic religious education is compulsory in public and private schools at all levels in Saudi Arabia;

Whereas the religious curriculum is written, monitored, and taught by followers of the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, the only religion the Government of Saudi Arabia allows to be taught;

Whereas rote memorization of religious texts continues to be a central feature of much of the educational system of Saudi Arabia, leaving thousands of students unprepared to function in the global economy of the 21st century;

Whereas the Government of Saudi Arabia has tolerated elements within its education system that promote and encourage extremism;

Whereas some textbooks in Saudi Arabian schools foster intolerance, ignorance, and anti-Semitic, anti-American, and anti-Western views;

Whereas these intolerant views instilled in students make them prime recruiting targets of terrorists and other extremist groups;

Whereas extremism endangers the stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region, and threatens global security;

Whereas the events of September 11, 2001, and the global rash of terrorist attacks since then, have created an urgent need to promote moderate voices in the Islamic world as an effective way to combat extremism and terrorism;

Whereas the report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States stated that `Education that teaches tolerance, the dignity and value of each individual, and respect for different beliefs is a key element in any global strategy to eliminate Islamist terrorism'; and

Whereas the ascension of King Abdullah to the throne in August 2005 presents a new opportunity for education reform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Now, therefore, be it