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The extremist-held Iraqi city of Mosul is set to usher in a new school year. But unlike years past, there will be no art or music. Classes about history, literature and Christianity have been “permanently annulled.”

The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham has declared patriotic songs blasphemous and ordered some pictures be torn out of textbooks.

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But instead of compliance, residents in Iraq’s second-largest city have so far responded to the demands with silence.

What’s important to us now is that the children continue receiving knowledge correctly, even if they lose a whole academic year and an official certification

Although the extremists stipulated the school year would begin Sept. 9, few students showed up. Residents said families were keeping their children home out of mixed feelings of fear, resistance and uncertainty.

“What’s important to us now is that the children continue receiving knowledge correctly, even if they lose a whole academic year and an official certification,” said one man, who identified himself as Abu Hassan. He and his wife have opted for home schooling.