Canada Ping!
Posted on 09/17/2012 11:28:46 AM PDT by Squawk 8888
LONDON, ONT. - Mother Teresa Catholic secondary school is turning a second-floor office into an Islamic prayer room -- the first high school in the city, private or public, to do so.
Carpet will soon cover the tile flooring, speakers will be installed and prayer mats purchased to provide the school's Muslim students, estimated at around two dozen, with a quiet and private place to pray.
The idea has been in the works since the end of the last school year after a group of Muslim students lobbied administration to create the space.
"They're members of our school community. We want to ensure that all our students feel welcome, that they feel that they belong," said Principal Ana Paula Fernandes.
The prayer room, expected to be completed by the end of September, is located on a busy stretch on the second floor, just metres from the school's large chapel.
"That was very important to ensure that it was included in the main building, and not tucked away somewhere," Fernandes said.
Grade 12 student Amir Farhi, 17, was part of the group that led the push for the prayer room.
"We do have quite a bit of Muslims in this school who find it hard to practice their religion," he said. "Having this prayer room, it's easy for them to do their Friday prayers."
Though Muslims pray facing Mecca, Saudi Arabia, five times a day, the room will mainly be used Fridays, the holiest day of the week in Islam.
Administration and students are working with a local imam, a leader of Islamic worship services, to create guidelines governing use of the room.
"We just want to come together as a community, exchange our beliefs, sharing our ideas and helping grow this school with its values," said Farhi, who applauded school officials for moving so quickly to create the room.
While baptism is a requirement to attend Catholic elementary schools, students of any faith can enrol at Catholic secondary schools.
No figure is available on how many of Mother Teresa's 1,400 students are non-Catholic, but Fernandes said the school's diverse population is one of its strengths.
The prayer room will also foster tolerance and understanding of different religions among non-Muslim students, Fernandes added.
"It certainly is meant to strengthen the sense of community and the sense of respect . . . for one's peers and the community at large."
Canada Ping!
Yes 4%
NO 62%
Only if they do the same for other students 33%
What are the speakers for if they need a quiet place to pray?
I voted ‘NO’ because there wasn’t an ‘EFF NO’ choice.
Meanwhile, in the Islamic world, Muslims are crucifying, enslaving, raping, and murdering Christians.
...and build bombs
Well, mooselimbs should be able to praise goat humping in Catholic facilites shouldn't they? /s
next,outdoor stone circles for the wiccans?
Why do these non Christians infiltrate Catholic schools and persuade these morally weak mostly female administrators to change for their nonChristian religion? Public schools not diverse enough for them?
Call to prayer at a Catholic school - within a year Catholic children will be attending these services, observing muslim customs, and celebrating moon god holidays
as “observers” and subtle converts
Jesus Wept
Are we going to read next about the Catholic chapel set up in the local mosque so Catholics can pray there?
I was stunned when we visited Quebec City a few years ago to see how many churches have been turned into restaurants, bars and B&B’s so this is really no surprise.
No, oy vey!! Canada
Did the negotiations have an “or else” clause? Are girls invited to participate?
Beat me to it!
So, this Church has decided it’s a good thing to assist children on a path to hell? Does it even believe inthe Gospel?
If my history is correct, when the Crusaders captured back Jerusalem from the Turks, the Dome of the Rock was converted into Christian Church. They kept a small mosque there for the moslems to pray in.
Unfortunately, I already know the answer. They’re going to let them blast the muezzin so that everyone else knows muslims are praying. Maybe some smart kids will sit under the window & blast some noisy rock ‘n roll back at ‘em.
Unfortunately the Church has no authority in the matter. Although every Catholic school is associated with a Parish, through a constitutional quirk here the Catholic schools are funded by the taxpayer and operated by elected school boards, in parallel with the public schools.
POint well taken. I shoud have said “this school” rather than “this Church”. Just like Satan, using a school with a Christian name to lead children on a path to damnation.
He sure does.
I have to wonder if the school is Catholic in name only, the old guard having been swept aside years ago. If there are any Christians in the administration then I would strongly suggest they crack open a Bible and read about how God dealt with the children that worshiped gods before Him...and then repent.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.