http://bit.ly/oFzPff
The newspapers are full of criticism of the Toronto District School Board for allowing Friday prayer services for Muslim students in the cafeteria at Valley Park Middle School.
I can understand a concern over balance -- if Muslim prayers are allowed during the school day then Catholic Mass, evangelical prayer groups and Jewish Minyans should also be allowed. Indeed, perhaps students might be allowed to say the Lord's Prayer if they chose?
But beyond the issue of being fair to all faiths what is the real concern?
There may be a breach of the Education Act but the Act may just bar teaching faith to students in class as opposed to conducting prayers in a school building ("a board shall not permit any person to conduct religious exercises or to provide instruction that includes indoctrination in a particular religion or religious belief in a school").
There are some who raise concerns that women are treated differently than men during prayer services -- a valid concern but one that relates to traditional Islamic practice (and many other faiths) and not to the school itself.
It may be the concern is about any prayer in school and so there is a secular focus. This, of course, ignores the reality that the vast majority of Canadians follow some faith.
The other possibility (and I fear this underlies much of the concern) is that it is Muslim prayer. The specter of Madrasses funded by the TDSB already floats around the web and while the mainstream is too savvy to suggest that perhaps it is an unspoken theme?
4 comments:
Indeed, the grade-two Social Studies curriculum includes traditions and celebrations. I have not seen any student not participating because his/her parent did not want their child learning about other cultural or religious celebrations.
I will give one short story about a teacher explaining to his north GTA students about why Christians celebrate Good Friday and Easter. I thought that the teacher's description was thorough and fair. The teacher was Jewish. So, too, were most of his students.
I have seen a couple of Muslim prayers taking place in school gyms. I may not agree with aspects of a particular religion. So long as any prayer service does not interfer with my ability to teach, and does not interfere with the non-participating students to learn, then a prayer service is fine by me.
I do remember reciting the Lord's Prayer and hearing one student read a few passages from The Bible. I hated it. I thought it was boring until one of my classmates decided that he would make a fine preacher. The teacher did not like my friend preaching the Gospel. My friend was only supposed to read. The problem with students reciting the Lord's Prayer was that everyone had to do it. However, there is nothing stopping a group of Christian students getting together to have a Bible study at recess or at lunch time. There is nothing wrong with having a Nativity display as Christianity is part of our multicultural fabric. Multiculturalism is not just meant for minorities; it is for everyone. Yes, I have seen Nativity scenes on display at public schools.
Agreed
I am concerned that accommodating religious practices in this and other ways will cause real problems. For starters, schools in England have decided to serve only halal foods as a way to accommodate Muslim students. Of course, that seems reasonable on the grounds that I can eat halal or non-halal while a Muslim student is restricted. But there are serious problems with halal slaughter practices that most non-Muslim people would object to. We have already seen in Manitoba a situation where Muslim parents objected to co-ed physical education. It may be that we can maneuver through this swamp but I won't bet on it.
And upon further reflection I have some more issues. I am a lapsed Catholic mainly because I do not agree with much of the Church's teachings on things like marriage of priests, birth control, and women. If I now criticise Islamic teachings, it's not just Islam I criticise.
There are reports that girls in this school are separated from the boys during prayer and are banned if they are menstruating. While this may be valid Muslim teaching, I am very concerned that such discrimination in a school, during school hours, would appear to have the support of the school. The principal may say that the Imam is responsible and the school is only providing space but that isn't good enough. What happens in a school during instructional hours has at least the appearance of support and approval of the staff and administration. It would be no different if Catholics had a service in the school and preached against gays. Which reminds me, if the Imam does preach against gays, in a school, during instructional hours, is that OK?
Post a Comment