In a diverse society, young people should be taught about a wide variety of beliefs, cultures and faiths, and particularly about a faith practiced by millions of Americans and more than one fifth of the world's population. Denying all students access to vital information based on the biased political or religious agenda of Islam phobic groups or a handful of misinformed parents does a disservice to our school system, our state and our nation. History is not kind to those who censor information or ban books.
I agree with the revised statement. Islam should be taught in history class or world culture class or what ever they call history these days. When teaching about Islam they can start with Abraham from the book of Genesis, prove that there is no evidence that Abraham and Ishmael was ever in Mecca and did not build the Kaaba. Then go on to say that Muhammadans bow down to pray to a space rock in the Kaaba. The life story of Muhammad should be taught, from his start as a trader, to how he married a six year old and subsequently raped her when she was nine, then to how he was kicked out of Mecca, and how he attacked caravans traveling from Mecca to Damascus. Follow that up with the the Meccan Wars that he started. After that lesson would be an opportune time for an essay: Compare and contrast the life of Muhammad and Jesus Christ by listing the violent events in their lives. (P.S. turning over tables in a Temple is not a violent event.)
Quite a few muslims in America follow The Nation of Islam which other muslims say is not real Islam. This is the Islam that recruits black males in prison.
Should students be taught about the black separatist ideology of NOI and the conspiracy theories and UFO tales? Lies by omission are still lies.