presentation on other cultures in public schools Options

[*disco infiltrator*]

A couple weeks ago, a Muslim family in Porter Lakes schools in Porter County, Indiana, made a presentation to the entire second grade and one third grade class at Porter Lakes Elementary School. Upon hearing this, many parents were upset about not being asked permission for this children to attend this presentation.

The couple that put on the presentation insists that it was only to initiate knowledge of the practices of the religion so their children, who attend the school, wouldn't be made fun of because others didn't know why they did things such as wearing the hijab, or headscarf, or pray 5 times a day, etc. It was just to inform. However, many other parents in the school district claim that their child is being influenced and may convert to the religion through hearing these things.

Some quotes from a few parents heard at the board meeting about the issue:
"I'm not racist, but when it comes to Muslim people, I have some concern."
"I didn't answer my child's questions on the subject because one, I don't know, and two, she doesn't need to know."
"There should have definitely been a permission slip sent home because I would have never allowed that. I don't want my child to see these things or be around these types of people."
"I don't understand why they don't just go to a private school anyway."

There was also talk of a "prayer room" set aside for the Muslim children due to the requirements of the religion (praying 5 times a day - two of these occur during the school day). National law says public schools have to accomodate each student - no matter what the circumstances.

A quote from one concerned mother: "If they're going to let some students have religion present in the school, they should do it for all. I request that an altar be put in for my Catholic boy." (Though, Catholicism doesn't require any participants to pray at any certain time of the day, and, in most schools, after the Pledge of Allegiance is said, a "moment of silence" is set aside and children can pray then.)

Now, due to advice from the school's principal, the family has opened up their home to anyone who wants to look around to assure people that they are not terrorists. However, one of the men on the police force for the area has been eyeing them carefully. He is constantly parked outside their house and has grilled their neighbor for information for them, even though he has run their name through the police computers and has found no terrorist ties.




Discuss. I'm pretty sure no one's thoughts on the issue on this site will differ all too much from mine, or anyone else's, but it's a good topic, IMO.

This school is about 15 minutes away from where I live, by the way. Just so you know how I knew about all of this.

[*disco infiltrator*]

Well, it's not like they go in-depth about the Muslim religion. It's basically "Some of you go to church and some of you go to temple and learn about your religion and what to do and what God says, right? Well, in our religion, the Muslim religion, our God tells us to wear a headscarf around our heads if we are girls. We are told to conceal our beauty until we get married." or something along those lines. Of course second-graders aren't going to understand everything, but it would be logical that the parents would have summarized what their children had learned at the mosque and know as second-graders, no? They're not telling them to believe or whatever, just explaining.

Oh, and the school has had Christianity and Jewish presentations before, explaining certain holidays and the basis of the religions.

In both my school and that school district, senior year, we read "Religions of Man", a book that goes completely in-depth on every religion present (and some that have died out). But I think it's better to introduce these religions even at a young age. Now, instead, these kids will not think, "Why is that weird girl wearing that sheet on her head? It's not Halloween." and instead think, "Oh, there's the Muslim girl. I guess she hasn't met her husband yet." or something.