Spotlight on education in the Middle East

Edinburgh University will Monday launch the annual "Right to Education Week," the product of a campaign set up by Edinburgh's twin institution in Palestine, Birzeit University. According to the Edinburgh University Student Association (EUSA) the campaign supports “the defence of every student worldwide whose access to education is denied or subject to restriction, for whatever reason.”

This year’s events focus on the Bahá’ís' struggle for the right to education in Iran as well as Israeli oppression of Palestinian students.

The Bahá’í Society will host a lecture and discussion entitled ‘Closed Doors: Iran's Campaign to Deny Bahá’ís Education’ and The Palestine Solidarity Society and Action Palestine have prepared a presentation and discussion called ‘Being a Student in Palestine: Studying under Occupation’ which involves delegates from five Palestinian universities.

Mr Anan Quzmar, a spokesperson for Action Palestine, told The Journal why events like Edinburgh's "Right to Education Week" were important: “The Israeli occupation specifically targets Palestinian education. The silence by the international community is seen by Israel as a green light to continue its attack on the means and development of Palestinian society as a whole. Palestinian students look to their fellow students around the world for support.

"Grassroots campaigns like the recent campaigns at the LSE, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and many others raise many issues about the Occupation, while at the same time extending much needed solidarity to Palestinian students.”

The Palestinian students will visit a number of UK universities where they will speak to student bodies and pro-Palestinian groups. Mr Quzmar added: “The tour will allow the Palestinian students to share their personal experiences and highlight the severe impact of Israeli occupation on their daily lives.”

In Iran, meanwhile, the government have deprived the Bahá’ís—the largest ethnic minority in the country at 300,000 strong—of full time education since 1979. This comes amid a background of more widespread persecution including limits on practicing religious beliefs, unjustified executions and imprisonment, land seizures and curtailments of civil freedoms. Attempts by the Bahá’í community to set up their own educational institutions have also been hindered by the government.

Tom Leather of the Edinburgh Bahá’í Society told The Journal: "For those of us who are lucky enough to experience the quality of education in Edinburgh, the particular case of education in Iran has particular resonance. Many members of the Scottish Bahá’í community have experienced the Iranian situation firsthand, and many still have Bahá’í relatives and friends in Iran.

Over the last 25 years, the only source of protection and encouragement for the Iranian Bahá'í community has been international concern, as expressed through the United Nations, by governments, and in the news media. Through events like "Right to Education Week" we can hope that students, university staff, and academic leaders can follow suit in protesting the blatantly unjust oppression that continues to confront the young people of Iran's Bahá'í community, as well as aiming towards the furtherance of the right to education in all contexts around the world.”

Other events during "Right to Education Week" include a photographic exhibition of work by students at Birzeit University as well as film showings and lectures. For full information visit the EUSA website.