After uproar about the textbook, AQA criticised the violent jihadi “sentiments” as “unacceptable” and said it was working with the publisher to help create a new edition. Although it has removed the book from publication, it is still for sale on Amazon and many religious studies teachers have it in their classrooms.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) said the textbook was "extremely disturbing."
The AQA GCSE Religious Studies textbook tells students: “There is justification [for using military jihad] in terms of social oppression and poverty in places like Gaza/ Palestine. Social oppression and poverty need to be tackled, so as to take away the injustice, and also this source of anger from radical groups.”[Missing Credit]
In a chapter on jihad, the textbook explains the topic is "often misunderstood”.
“In the modern world where war is prevalent, claims that the war is for the will of Allah often means that non-Muslims interpret jihad simply as holy war.”
It goes on to explain the rules for “a lesser jihad/holy war” and quotes a teaching attributed to Muhammad: “The best jihad is the one in which your horse is slain and your blood spilled.”
The book states: “Even if these quotes are adhered to, there are regulations and rules that should apply concerning behaviour and parameters. This is where extreme groups today like Isis, Al Qaeda, Al Shabab, Boko Haram could be seen to be failing in their Islamic understanding.
“For a military jihad people should be fighting for their faith,” the textbook goes on.
“Currently Muslims are largely free to follow their religion. Hence the groups named above are not justified in their actions.”
The book cites one exception: “There is, however, justification in terms of social oppression and poverty in places like Gaza/ Palestine. Social oppression and poverty need to be tackled, so as to take away the injustice, and also this source of anger from radical groups.”
In keyword boxes on the same page, the book highlights “Syria, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria, Israel, Palestine” and the phrases: “defence of Allah, no harm done, restore peace, freedom, mercy, respect and protection.”
Speaking to the JC, one RS teacher who did not want to be named said he had not noticed the page in question, nor its references to Gaza.
Campaign Against Antisemitism, which first uncovered that passage, said: "The teachings in this textbook are extremely disturbing. Schools are supposed to be places of learning, but that learning should not encompass what appear to be potential justifications for violent jihad.
“With education like this, it is no surprise that we end up with almost one in ten of 18-24 year olds having a favourable view of Hamas, as our recent polling discovered. It is right that this textbook has been removed, pending review, but how on earth did it end up being in the first place and how is it still available for purchase? We will be contacting Prevent."
AQA said: “These sentiments are unacceptable and that is why the publisher has withdrawn this textbook.
“AQA does not publish textbooks. The context publishers include in their textbooks is their own responsibility. We work with publishers to help make sure that their content is in line with our specifications but it is not our content. When there is a concern about the content of a text book it is the publishers’ responsibility to address those concerns.
“This book has been removed from sale by the publisher. They are working on a new edition and we are offering support. They will update print and digital editions as soon as possible.
“Schools and colleges choose their own textbooks when it comes to teaching the AQA GCSE Religious Studies specification.”
Hodder Education commented: “We take these issues extremely seriously. This textbook, published in 2016, has been removed from sale and we have pulped all remaining copies whilst we undertake a robust diversity and inclusion review in order to update the print and digital editions.”
