[yatros from flatwater]

Maybe it's not such a big deal.

Just borrowing from an old tradition.

Maria was just a latin nickname anyway.

Her given name was Miriam, just like Moshe's sister.

Of course, the mention of a Hebrew name would really have set off the PC crowd.

[muawiyah]

Or, they could have used the Koranic version of both Hebraic names and ........

Who else is in that school that might be offended? Hindus? They're usually not offended by such things. Buddhists? Hey, Buddha says "presents are OK jack", and so is a holiday.

Seems to me the only folks who could possible be offended are those who are anti-religious.

[RobbyS]

How could they offens Muslims? A whole sura bears the name of the Virgin.