Proof that education can be a dangerous thing:

A textbook on Islam that preaches the value of "holy war" and "martyrdom" for all Muslims is being reprinted by Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority for use in schools in the occupied West Bank.

Entitled Islamic Culture, it was originally published in 1994, but has been reproduced this year, despite undertakings from Palestinian leaders – following international pressure – that new books would be introduced.

The book, intended for 17-year-olds, explains: "Jihad is an Islamic term that equates to the term war in other nations. The difference is that jihad has noble goals and lofty aims, and is carried out only for the sake of Allah and for His glory." It also refers to shahada, or martyrdom. A suicide bomber sent to kill civilians in Israel is celebrated as a shaheed in the Israeli-occupied territories.

One passage in the book states that if a Muslim is "blessed with shahada and honour, his soul returns to its Creator to live a different life, content with the rewards and honour bestowed upon it, a life of grace thanks to Allah."

The general assumption at this blog is that education prepares you for life, and I join in as many arguments as I can find about how best you contrive that. This, on the other hand, is preparation for death. At best, for life after death. And not just your own death.

Meanwhile, the Merde in France (NOT The Dissident Frogman as originally stated, see comments) reports that in Gagny, in France, a Jewish school has been burned down.