I smell racism

People in the Swedish government is researching/suggesting the possibilities for state financed education of imams in Sweden. Yes, obviously this government does have a few good ideas. Who would have guessed.

The suggestion is that the education will not be on a University level, but rather on a so called high school level. Many muslim organizations in Sweden are positive to this, as long as the terms of the education is to be put together by both the Muslim organizations and the state, and that the state doesn't interfere in the religious parts of the education. In England this kind of education already exists.

One reason mentioned for this kind of education is that imams are not only religious leaders, but also mentors. If the mentor is not knowledgeable about Swedish society, e.g., his/hers advice as a mentor for young people, e.g., could sometimes become misguiding. Also there's a shortage of imams in Sweden, according to an article in the newspaper DN, which forces muslim organizations to ask for help from abroad. This could also lead to misguidance and other problems, according to the article.

The people responsible for this suggestion also, according to the article, mention that this could avoid radical paths of islam. That, as a reason for the education, I'm sceptic about. It suggests things that I do not agree with. But apart from that, I think the education is a great idea.

The same newspaper has a survey online, asking its readers if this is right or wrong. 30 % think it's right. 70 % think it's wrong.

What's wrong with it? We already educate Christian priests on a University level, financed by the state. Why not imams?

I doubt that the results would be 30 to 70 if the same question had been asked about the education of Christian priests,

I smell racism.