April 23, 2025
Melbourne, Victoria, April 23, 2025. A comprehensive study by the Center for World Understanding (C4WU), an educational platform built on the research of the Center for the Study of Political Islam International (CSPII), has revealed that educational materials on Islam used in Victoria, Australia, over the past 21 years have presented an incomplete and misleading picture of Islam, particularly concerning its political aspects and its treatment of non-Muslims. Study and exam materials from 2003 to 2023 were examined.
Key findings:
- Significant Omission: Course materials largely exclude the 64% of Koranic text that pertains to non-Muslims.
- Inadequate Representation: Only 1.5% of exam questions addressed the treatment of non-Muslims, despite 64% of the Koran focusing non-Muslims.
- Lack of Political Context: The materials fail to highlight that Islam is a complete civilisational system with its own political ideology (Political Islam) that is in conflict with Australian constitutional principles and human rights standards.
- Misunderstanding of Doctrine: This incomplete education has led to a misunderstanding of Political Islam among graduates who now hold influential positions in government, media, and other sectors.
- Misleading Treatment: The study shows that the Koran is 64% about non-Muslims, that non-Muslims can be treated violently, and that this information is almost completely ignored by the educational materials.
- Selective Representation of Dualism: The confusion produced by Islamic dualism, where contradictory statements are held as true, is a major factor in the expansion of Islamic political influence. However, educational materials only present the side of dualism that permits courteous treatment of non-Muslims, while omitting the side that permits violent and/or non-violent jihad.
- Exclusion of Violent Doctrine: The study found that Koranic texts prescribing violence against non-Muslims were not mentioned and/or strongly underrepresented, creating a distorted and inaccurate perception of Islamic doctrine. Only 3 questions over a period of 21 years dealt with the violence towards non-Muslims, despite the high prevalence of violent jihad in Islamic doctrine
"Many verses of the Koran speak of the treatment, management, and subjugation of non-Muslims. Also, the Koran deals with various branches of knowledge such as politics, law, finance, family matters, military, history, etc. and is therefore not limited to religious and social education," explains Gregory Hearn, CSPII Australia Education Director and C4WU Global Director & Australia Goodwill Ambassador.
The study emphasizes the critical need for an accurate understanding of the Koran and Sunna (the life and traditions of Mohammed), particularly regarding the representation of non-Muslims, to ensure informed decision-making in government and the private sector. Incomplete study and examination materials on Islam must be subjected to rigorous review, and all omissions should be systematically addressed. This can only happen by involving a non-Islamic academic effort.
The video presentation can be found here or below:
The summary of key findings can be found here.
About CSPII:
The Center for the Study of Political Islam International (CSPII) is dedicated to providing accurate and comprehensive information about the political aspects of Islam.
Contact:
Gregory Hearn
CSPII Australia Education Director
C4WU Global Director & Australia Goodwill Ambassador
Bio:
Gregory Hearn has established a significant presence of CSPII and C4WU in Australia. He has presented Political Islam at numerous events across Australia as well as internationally, for example: Rajabhat University in Thailand, Copernicus University in Poland, Czech Parliament and recently in Nigeria. His interest in Political Islam emerged post-9/11, when he questioned then-President George W. Bush’s assertion that Islam is a religion of peace, leading him to investigate the Koran’s stance toward non-Muslims. Hearn’s contributions reflect a commitment to critical analysis and educational reform in Australia and beyond.