Muslim presentation at Friendswood school draws fire

[bjorkfan]

Houstion Chronicle/AP
May 31, 2008

FRIENDSWOOD — Parents of some junior high students are upset they weren't notified about a school presentation on Islamic culture, an omission that violated school district policy.

The parents' letter-writing campaign stems from a May 22 presentation at Friendswood Junior High, where two Muslim women gave a 30-minute presentation about Islamic life as part of a yearlong study of respect, tolerance and culture, The Galveston County Daily News reported Saturday.

The guest speakers discussed Muslim culture, including topics such as food, religion, dress, beliefs and famous Muslims.

School district spokeswoman Karolyn Gephart said principal Robin Lowe had "best intentions," but Gephart acknowledged not informing parents beforehand was a mistake.

District policy states parents are to be informed about the purpose and content of presentations so that they can keep their children out if they think the material might be offensive or inappropriate.

Still, Gephart said, "If you pulled a book about Islam from the library, you would find the same stuff in the book. There was no proselytizing."

Kim Leago, whose son is in the eighth grade, said she's still upset he was exposed to the "inappropriate" presentation.

"We can't say 'One nation under God' in school, so I definitely don't think (the presentation) was the right choice," she said. "I'm not a prejudiced person ... but Muslims, from what I know of the faith, don't want to be incorporated with Americans. Look at what's going on in the world right now, with the war and with 9/11."

The exact number of parents who objected or wrote letters wasn't known.

Dr. Ahmed Ahmed, a member of the board of directors for the Galveston Islamic Center, said there's a common misperception that Muslims are somehow un-American. The few Muslims who have tainted the faith as terrorists have helped spread the myth that Islam is violent and extremist.

"Muslims in the U.S. are Americans, not intruders," he said. "They are not invaders; they are not outsiders. We are all Americans, and we are all working toward a better America."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5811373.html

[DCKit]

1. I am sooooo embarrassed. n/t

[bjorkfan]

2. Are you from Houston?

[DCKit]

6. No, just a fellow citizen.

This depth of ignorance and intolerance just makes me nuts.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Ignorance is astounding

First of all, God is God. The God of Islam is the God of Abraham and the God of Jesus. So that woman's statement is ridiculous. Second of all--EXCUSE ME, Muslims don't want to integrate with American culture? I've got several direct ancestors who fought in the American Revolution and am a direct descendant of Stephen Hopkins, who came here on the Mayflower. Unless that clown is totally 100% Native American, I bet I'm more "American" than she is.

[bjorkfan]

5. But does this discussion belong in public schools ....

in light of Separation of Church and State?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. Yes, as a discussion of CULTURE

I taught in public schools, and taught about how religion influences the culture of different areas. There was never any preaching either for or against any religion, but rather religious customs were discussed and how they influenced the shaping of societies. Even atheists, I believe, would concede that religion has had a large impact on many cultures. One can hardly talk about the impact of Ghandi on India without taking into account the various religions there would make an incomplete picture of Ghandi's life and impact.

FWIW, when I was in fifth grade, back around 1960, we had guest speakers from Iraq come and explain their culture to us. No big deal, and not notes from parents needed.

[notfullofit]

9. Excuse me but

isn't Muslim a religion, as is Christianity or Judaism?

Will they be teaching the culture of Buddhists and Hindus next?

If not, why not?

[lxlxlxl]

4. not far from where I live, or grew up

I think the principle beef was that the presenters were from CAIR...a group that right wing radio despises...Limbaugh mentioned this or Hannity, one of the two...

But just look at how ignorant that statement is -- "I'm not prejudiced...but...." jeez.

The comments thread in the article is interesting...

[tanyev]

7. They can't say "one nation under God" at that school?

Really? Those kids are reciting a different version of the Pledge of Allegiance? Reaaallly?

[wtmusic]

10. Wha? "Not informing parents beforehand was a mistake"?

Discussions of other cultures is inappropriate?

Can we put all of these Neanderthals in a room so they can club it out?? :eyes: