Minnesota Public School Promoting Islam? (1 Viewer)

[Saint Mike]

Metro charter school accused of teaching Islam

A Star Tribune newspaper column has prompted a state investigation into a charter school. A substitute teacher said a school in Inver Grove Heights is blurring the line of separation of church and state.
Being a charter school Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy, or TIZA, is supported by tax dollars. The teacher told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the presence of religion she observed at the school took her by surprise.
TIZA Executive Director Azad Zaman insisted the school follows with state and federal laws.
"TIZA does not endorse any religion," he said.
However, TIZA Academy is sponsored by Islamic Relief USA, based in California.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S407036.shtml?cat=1

Original article:


http://www.startribune.com/local/17406054.html

*Title edited for clarification. Thanks, Reb.

 

[cruize]

God Bless America.

 

[RebSaint]

There's a categorical difference between "teaching" about a certain religion and promoting a religion.

The article really doesn't describe if the teacher did indeed cross the line by promoting Islam--or if someone misinterpreted "promotion" for "teaching"

I teach about all kinds of religions in my classes; I take great care to impart to students that I'm not promoting any one of them.

Christianity can be taught in the public schools as long as it isn't being promoted or "forced" in any way; same with Islam, from my perspective.

 

[Saint Mike]

There's a categorical difference between "teaching" about a certain religion and promoting a religion.

The article really doesn't describe if the teacher did indeed cross the line by promoting Islam--or if someone misinterpreted "promotion" for "teaching"

I teach about all kinds of religions in my classes; I take great care to impart to students that I'm not promoting any one of them.

Christianity can be taught in the public schools as long as it isn't being promoted or "forced" in any way; same with Islam, from my perspective.

Yes, there is a difference---I was merely borrowing language from the article in my title. This would indeed be indicia of promoting Islam:

TIZA has many characteristics that suggest a religious school. It shares the headquarters building of the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, whose mission is "establishing Islam in Minnesota." The building also houses a mosque. TIZA's executive director, Asad Zaman, is a Muslim imam, or religious leader, and its sponsor is an organization called Islamic Relief.
Students pray daily, the cafeteria serves halal food - permissible under Islamic law -- and "Islamic Studies" is offered at the end of the school day.

 

[RebSaint]

Yes, there is a difference---I was merely borrowing language from the article in my title. This would indeed be indicia of promoting Islam:

Yeah, I must have missed that part of the article. Absolutely I think there's a strong case here for some lines being crossed.

 

[keepoursaints]

They don't know how to work a flagpole

 

[JimEverett]

What is new?
Charter schools are notorious for blurring the line between promotion of religion and education. Of course Christian schools are much more prevalent and thus there are more of those that blur the line. But they operate in many religions. If this stuff really bothers you then the Christian/Jewish/whatever else stuff should also bother you.

 

[Thorin]

Yeah, I must have missed that part of the article. Absolutely I think there's a strong case here for some lines being crossed.

Yeah, it sounds like it has the makings of a fantastic private school.

 

[Saint Mike]

What is new?
Charter schools are notorious for blurring the line between promotion of religion and education. Of course Christian schools are much more prevalent and thus there are more of those that blur the line. But they operate in many religions. If this stuff really bothers you then the Christian/Jewish/whatever else stuff should also bother you.

I'm interested in these other public religious schools that you reference. I would certainly be opposed to them as well if they operate similarly to this school. I take it you're o.k. with it.

 

[Thorin]

...If this stuff really bothers you then the Christian/Jewish/whatever else stuff should also bother you.

It does bother me, equally.

 

[JimEverett]

I'm interested in these other public religious schools that you reference. I would certainly be opposed to them as well if they operate similarly to this school. I take it you're o.k. with it.

No - I am not ok with it
If public funds are going to these charter schools then they should abide by the rules all publicly funded schools have to abide.