NYC OK'S PRAYER IN SCHOOL - - FOR MUSLIMS

NewsMax | Thursday Nov. 15, 2001 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[truther]

NYC OK's Prayer in School -- for Muslims

That anti-religion bastion of political correctness, the New York City public school system, has quietly sanctioned prayer in schools -- but only of you're a Muslim who wants to worship during Ramadan.

In a talk radio exclusive, New York's WABC Radio has been airing reports on the school system's special program for Muslims for weeks.

Late Wednesday, Schools Chancellor Harold Levy finally confirmed that the religious double standard indeed exists. "Christian parents would probably love to have a place where their children could pray during school hours," WABC newsman George Weber said Thursday. "They don't... But the Muslim kids are getting their very own prayer room in New York City public schools."

"The New York City public school system is going to accommodate Muslim students allowing them space for prayer" during the five week Muslim holy season of Ramadan, reported Weber's partner, Babita Hariani.

"In a statement, though, school's Chancellor Harold Levy adds the prayer 'cannot interfere with classes or infringe on other students'", she explained.

That's not exactly what the Chancellor's office told the New York Post, which reported Thursday that Levy spokeswoman Margie Feinberg told them Muslim students will be allowed to cut classes in order to pray and then reschedule them later.

[truther]

What can you expect from the state and its major city infested by demonRATS with the representative in Senate who defends needs of muslims first, and considers 9-11 the Bush's fault?

[ikanakattara]

If Muslim students expect to be excused from class for prayer during the normal operating hours of the school day, I'd say we need a test case. Christian students ought to leave class for prayer, and then sue when they're disciplined.

[Egg]

We've always known that the only religion not tolerated in the US is the Christian religion; this is just a shift from tacit to overt discrimination.

[Razz Barry]

It would be so funny if the whole class would leave, when the Muslims go to pray. Man, if I had children in a NY City School I could be having so much fun with this.

[Clemenza]

Interesting. When I was a kid EVERYONE would get off on Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashannah, even if you weren't Jewish. This was in NY.

[RGVTx]

My Christian nose feels awfully rubbed after reading this story. This sounds like a story for O'Reilly or Hannity.

[anniegetyourgun]

This has been going on for years. Obviously, our pc cultural diversity and multiculturalism training does not apply to the Christians.

[SpinyNorman]

So where is the ACLU on this? Is this not "state sponsored" religion? How would this be different from a similar request for a prayer room during Christian holidays? I reall want to see them squirm on this one!

[NC Conservative]

Why do liberals continue to ignore the one and only God? That is my burning question.

[Portnoy]

No prayer in schools. Period.

[LarryLied]

Posted by dvan on June 24,2001:

Schools Harass Christians, Coddle Other Faiths

IN NEW YORK CITY, Muslims can pray in public schools. Christians can’t. Muslims can assemble in school auditoriums, during school hours, and pray. Christians cannot.

So says the New York Post, in a Dec.1, 2000 article titled, “Muslim Kids Get To Pray In School For Ramadan,” by Carl Campanile. This article didn’t make it far in the national news. I found it referenced in a rather obscure Christian newspaper out of Fort Worth, Texas, The Hour of Prophecy.

I thought, “Are these Texans the only people that care? How could this situation not make national headlines?” It marks one of the most dramatic inconsistencies of Constitutional interpretation in recent history.

At Lafayette High School, in Bensonhurst, in Brooklyn Technical & International in Queens, and in other Brooklyn schools, Muslim students are allowed to assemble and worship publicly in school auditoriums or makeshift prayer rooms during the regular school day.. .

More here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b36539a5777.htm

[pointsal]

What?

[dtom]

PRAYER IN SCHOOL ISSUE HEATS UP AGAIN

[Mrs. P]

I am so thankful for our WELS school. They start the day with a prayer, then Bible class, they pray before lunch and at the close of the day. Also, when there is something happening - like on 9/11 - the teachers stop and they all pray.

No state funding in our school, either.......

[Atticus]

No prayer in schools. Period.

I assume you are referring to government schools, in which case I agree.

[mbb bill]

BinLaden won?

[wheezer]

Their religious needs have been accomodated pretty well in many NYC schools.

[celtic gal]

Not a bad idea! They can leave for a prayer time same time the Muslims head for the prayer carpets!

[gcraig]

This is insane. My child has been taught that his relationship with God is constant, much like his relationship with my wife and I. He can pray in school or outside school at anytime, whether he is allowed to or not!