Chicago Public Schools set up Muslim Prayer Rooms

Chicago Sun Times ^ | November 29, 2001 | Rosalind Rossi

[cookcounty]

Muslim students hail prayer policy

November 29, 2001

BY ROSALIND ROSSI EDUCATION REPORTER

Chicago Public Schools were given an official green light Wednesday to set aside a vacant room for students to pray during school hours, a policy welcomed by Muslim students whose daily prayers overlap with school hours.

The "Policy on Accommodations for Student Religious Practices'' approved unanimously by Chicago School Board members is similar to one practiced in Los Angeles, but it goes further than one observed in New York City, where schools are barred from designating a room for student prayer.

Some Chicago schools, such as Von Steuben High, already set aside space for Muslim students to observe one of their five daily prayers, but other schools have been calling recently with questions about what is allowable, Chicago Board of Education attorneys said.

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

I don't think this is constitutional. This is favoring one religion over another by government agency!

[sweetliberty]

"Some Chicago schools, such as Von Steuben High, already set aside space for Muslim students to observe one of their five daily prayers"

Call me touchy, but I have a real gut reaction to this kind of thing. See also:

NYC Okays Prayer In School; For Muslims

Islamic Teaching In 1,000 Public Schools

The Truth About Islam

Anti-Islam Church Sign In Idaho

Evangelist Graham In Hot Water Over Comments

If, after reviewing some of these threads, you still think there is not a problem, then I don't know what to tell you. BTW, did you know that Osama bin Laden made the top 6 for Time Magazine's "Man of the Year?" I think we have a problem!

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

The Chicago school board as implicitly announced that Allah is not God. This is a warped version of Miracle on 34th Street where the USPS inadvertently testifies that Kris Kringle is, in fact, Santa Claus.

Since prayer to the Judeo-Christian God has been forbidden again and again by numerous government agencies and their surrogates, yet special accommodation is almost always extended to Moslems, then said agencies are offering their opinion that Allah is not to be conflated with God.

He is one of those culturally and politically acceptable dieties, like Quetzlcoatl or Gaia -- more of an affirmation of multi-culturalism than an actual theological concept.

[xm177e2]

The real issue in my mind is not whether the Muslims get to skip class, it's whether teachers are obligated to make up teaching what the Muslims missed.

[uvular]

Where are the parents of children in CPS?? They should be contacting ACLU now!

[cidrasm]

I was only commenting on this story. The Von Stueben school did what they did prior to the Chicago School District passing their policy. As for the other articles you posted links to, I do have the a$$ with providing access to muslims while other religions have been denied. You either allow all or you deny all.

[RobbyS]

You forget that Christian observances have often been curbed to fit the demands of secular life, and this process continues. More and more these have been pushed into the evenings and weekends. Daily chapel has often been a ritual part of the school day. Likewise religious instruction. Now such things cannot be done "inside of schools hours" because the state monopolizes this time and monopolizes public educational funding so as to burden unduly those parents who would send their children to relgious schools.

[concerned about politics]

The public schools are not only breading Marxists, but now moon and Earth worshipers, but not Christians?
Shut them down. Push for school choice.
We'd better do something now, before it's too late, if it isn't already!
This will actually get more American kids to follow this anti-God religion. It's the only one that gets them out of classes!

[Salvation]

I searched for Chicago Park Schools but only came up with 16 elementary and 2 high schools. No adminstration site was listed. Bah!

[MississippiMan]

I've said this before, I'll say it again: The Left is NOT opposed to Religion, they are opposed to Jesus.

You are exactly correct and it's so blatantly obvious that it's laughable. Now take a prayerful moment and understand why the evil left is scared only of Jesus. (Yes, liberalism is evil, no matter how it's cloaked.)

What's infuriating is the fact that we the people have allowed our country to be taken over by evil.

MM

[PennsylvaniaMom]

What everyone's COMPLETELY missing, tripping over each other to flaunt righteous indignation, is that a Catholic mass is *not* a religious requirement during school hours. Christians can pray anytime, anywhere. And so on...

In the Catholic faith, we DO have 'Holy Days of Obligation' when the faithful are REQUIRED to attend Mass. If the Mass schedule of my local parish overlaps with the time my child is attending the public school, then why can't MY CATHOLIC CHILD'S religious requirements ALSO be fulfilled by the tax-dollar funded school district? Hmmmmm?

[j_tull]

Do not freep when drunk. The critical distinction you seem to have missed is that ANY mention of the Judeo-Christian God in public schools is ILLEGAL. Pack sand Abdul!

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Little Mohammed has no more right to practice his faith in a public school building than does my little Michael.

[onyx]

Democrats will be collecting donations from the mosques. Buddist temples are so passe'

[skr]

No one is required to pray during a moment of silence either.

How can you just gloss over years and years of Christians fighting to just have one paltry moment with no special treatment involved?

[Darth Sidious]

Thank you for the post. One more mark on the tally sheet of reasons why homeschooling is the best way to teach our children.

[GuillermoX]

Maybe the same reason why these "One World Religion" proponents so despise Him and will actually say that there is no room "fundamentalist Christianity" in a unified religion.

[LarryLied]

What everyone's COMPLETELY missing, tripping over each other to flaunt righteous indignation, is that a Catholic mass is *not* a religious requirement during school hours. Christians can pray anytime, anywhere.

But apparently Christians must check in with you first to see what their prayer requirements are. Have you thought of a newsletter informing them of where, how and when they can pray? If might be very helpful as some are not as enlightened as you are as to the practice of their faith.

You might also consider setting up and heading a government office which oversees faith. An office which will decide these things for everyone else. You do see to be so well informed about how other people view their God and their faith. I am sure few will disagree with you.

[NixNatAVanG InDaBurgh]

I heard some journalist ask a female, black college student if she knew what the Emancipation Proclamation was. She hadn't a clue. A MALE, black college student asked if it had something to do with recycling.
It is damb scarey how the left has dominion over our childrens' minds. They could skip American History in High School by taking courses on *alternative lifestyles*, or the economy of ecology. Gag me with a spoon.