NYC Schools Chancellor in Ramadan Prayer About Face

Newsmac.com ^ | Friday Nov. 16, 2001; 9:37 a.m. EST | Carl Limbacher

[Sabertooth]

After a flood of complaints about the decision by New York City's public school Chancellor Harold Levy to set aside special classrooms where Muslim students could pray during Ramadan, the plan has been abruptly dropped.

"The Schools Chancellor is making an about-face from yesterday's announcement that Muslim students could go to a special area on school grounds and pray for Ramadan," reported WABC Radio in New York, which broke the Muslim-prayer-in-schools story last month.

Civil rights lawyers as well as many in the general public were outraged at the double standard that blatantly violated the Supreme Court's ruling banning school prayer and they let their displeasure be known in calls to Levy's office.

The Catholic League, on the other hand, actually praised the decision, but noted the double standard in a press release Thursday.

"It is only fitting that the New York City public schools extend to Jews and Christians the same respect for their religious traditions and observances that they now extend to Muslims," Catholic League President William Donohue said.

"This is what diversity really means—giving equal recognition to the diverse cultural and religious heritages that constitute the American mosaic. We expect our plea for parity will be granted."

Rather than granting parity, however, Schools Chancellor Levy abandoned the school prayer plan entirely.

"Students of all religious faiths can always pray but it cannot disrupt class and it cannot be offered in the form of a special prayer room," Levy's office said.

[concerned about politics]

WOW. See post # 14....They've been letting in religions for a loooong time!
They've just been caught! Even Lucifer lovers!
Glad this issue has been exposed, as many other leftie hypocracies have been lately!
This is a good sign.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Good news!

[Valin]

Maybe they'll learn to apply the rules more fairly.

Wanna bet?

[FreedomFriend]

I'll tell you why there was a double-standard. Christianity is a legitimate, truthful faith built around Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. Even the far-left realizes that a relationship with Jesus is the key to turning around the country, and every left-wing person. Thus, that is why over the past ten years the media, being mostly left-wing, has acted horrified whenever Christianity was mentioned. On the other hand, Islam is a gutter religion with nothing inherently built on truth. I'm not trying to slander anyone, but I'm merely pointing out a fact. At this very moment, significant chunks of Indonesia and southeast Asia are accepting Jesus and converting to Christianity from Muslim and other religions. I feel that the same will occur in China, as well as other Asian countries. In fact, China has the fastest growth of Christianity in the World. This is great. Satan knows that the truth and, thus, Islam is not a threat. However, a relationship with Jesus is his worst nightmare.

[SusanUSA]

"It is only fitting that the New York City public schools extend to Jews and Christians the same respect for their religious traditions and observances that they now extend to Muslims," Catholic League President William Donohue said.

Sound of screeching breaks....gears being ripped into reverse....

Rather than granting parity, however, Schools Chancellor Levy abandoned the school prayer plan entirely.

Can't have that!
Thanks for the ping!:-)

[LarryLied]

One can look at what you say from a purely secular and selfish position too. Where Christianity is entrenched (Taiwan for instance) the underpinnings of civilization are strong. The rule of law and democracy take root. One does not even have to be a Christian to see the secular benefits of Christianity.

[Ender@Game.now]

Exactly. I don't want to see the rugs on the sidewalk where street vendors are no longer allowed to setup. I don't want to see rugs in the corridors where fire safety inspectors make me move cartons etc. I don't want to see the rugs on a staircase, in a "handicapped parking", in an aisle of a bus, train or plane. I don't want to see the rugs in a fire lane.........well? They belong in a home, mosque, park or private place of choice. Just like the rest of us.

[xm177e2]

I have no problem with them going to a room and praying during the day, but--1)it can't interrupt class (and if it does, the teachers should NOT have to stay after to explain to the kids what they missed) 2)the room cannot be made into a "special" prayer room, if they take things out while they pray, they should have to put them away afterwards, and it should have another use, too.

I'm not going to pay for public schools to give Muslim kids special privileges.

[beowolf]

I concur with post # 3!! Tolerance is only extended in the name of 'diversity' until the marginalized mainstream catches on.

Regards,

[AlaskaErik]

Isn't Levy is Jewish surname? How odd that he would cater to those who have sworn to kill all Jews.

[vikingchick]

btt

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

I've come to believe that school administrators are some of the most intellectually lame in our country...

No. They have a clear agenda, and they know exactly what they're doing.

[rockfish59]

love to get that little punk in my scope crosshair!

[WIMom]

Thanks, I missed that one, probably because FR is sporadically (sp) slow today.

[Salvation]

After a flood of complaints about the decision by New York City's public school Chancellor Harold Levy to set aside special classrooms where Muslim students could pray during Ramadan, the plan has been abruptly dropped.

If these kids get to pray then the Christian kids can also pray The Lord's Prayer.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

"This is what diversity really means -- giving equal recognition to the diverse cultural and religious heritages that constitute the American mosaic."

No, Mr. Donohue, you should have quit while you were ahead. Your statement above is at the heart of what's wrong with the educational system today.

Public schools should teach the three R's, surrounded by strong Judeo-Christian ethics, since that is the majority, and also forms the basis for our legal, social and governmental heritage.

ALL minorities can have a passing reference in public schools, but in no way should they receive "equal recognition." There's not enough hours in the day.

[headsonpikes]

"They have a clear agenda..."

Yes, the only folks allowed to 'prey' in schools are educrats. ;^)

[Martin Tell]

[Havisham]

"You mean we're against all prayer? I thought it was just the Christians." The Chancellor strikes his forehead in a D'OH! moment.