Islamic Presenation causes Contreversy in Houston Area Junior High

Link



Controversy highlights pitfalls to teaching faith


By JENNIFER RADCLIFFE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle




Some of the items included in the Council on American Islamic Relations' presentation:

• There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world.

• The country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia.

• "Islam" means peace and submission.

• The Quran is the Word of Allah.

• Allah is God for all human beings.

• All Muslims are encouraged to give 2.5 percent of their wealth to charity each year.


See the PowerPoint presentation for yourself Faced with the threat of having a hate crime reported to the FBI, the principal of Friendswood Junior High School hurriedly agreed to let the Council on American Islamic Relations make a half-hour presentation to about 875 students last month.

At the assembly, seventh- and eighth-graders learned, among other lessons, that Muslims are expected to avoid pork, dress modestly and believe "Allah is God for all human beings."

But as word of the May 22 assembly spread, outraged parents have flooded the district with calls and e-mails, saying they deserved to be notified before students were pulled out of physical education class for the presentation. The controversy, stoked by local talk radio, cost Robin Lowe her principalship.

One of the most sensitive areas in public education, the blurry line between what's allowed and what's not when it comes to religion in schools, can be tricky territory for administrators. Terrified of a misstep, some school districts end up banning Christmas decorations or discouraging students from even mentioning God on campus.

"So often, communities are really hesitant to take it on because they figure no matter where they step, how lightly they tread, they're going to catch it," said Joy Baskin, an attorney for the Texas Association of School Boards.

As in the case of the assembly on Islam, interpretations of what's acceptable vary. Recent state law says that teachers can cover religion, including the Bible, in academic courses and that students are allowed to express religious viewpoints when its relevant to the subject or assignment.

School-led prayer, however, is forbidden.

Critics of the Friendswood presentation say that by allowing two women from the Council on American Islamic Relations to discuss Muslim culture, school officials were promoting a particular religion.

"The school couldn't have an assembly to convince kids that Christianity is OK or that Judaism is OK," said Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for the Plano-based Liberty Legal Institute.


Insensitive graffiti found
Rather than focusing on a specific religion, Friendswood could have coached students on the importance of free speech and religious tolerance, he said.

"All they need to teach kids is that freedom is OK, and toleration will follow," he said. "That's a better way to do it."

But Superintendent Trish Hanks said in a letter to parents that some officials felt the presentation was needed "in response to an incident that occurred between students at Friendswood Junior High and the perception and fear that it caused to some involved."

School officials wouldn't reveal the specifics of the incident but said in messages to parents that racially insensitive graffiti was found in a restroom and that some inappropriate comments were made.

Officials with the Council on American Islamic Relations told the principal that they were considering reporting a hate crime to the FBI, prompting Lowe to arrange the assembly, district officials said.

CAIR officials didn't return calls Friday.

Some questioned whether the response was appropriate.

"If a Christian kid today is criticized for wearing a cross, you don't remedy that by calling in Billy Graham to speak to the entire school," said Kelly Coghlan, a Houston attorney who helped write the Schoolchildren's Religious Liberties Act. "It was shooting a squirrel with an elephant gun."

Baskin, however, applauded Friendswood's response, saying she sees no legal problem with hosting the assembly.

"They stepped out and did something, I think, that is in many ways difficult and commendable," she said.

"The law is very supportive of them and that position, regardless of how we might second-guess some of the public relations aspect."

Notifying parents in advance would have been a good idea, she said. The school, however, is not legally required to do so.

The material covered at the assembly, Baskin added, is similar to items in the state curriculum.


Parents upset
Some Friendswood parents said it's not the subject matter that bothers them. It's the fact that they weren't given a chance to opt out their children or to at least discuss the topic with their children.

"That's what parents are so upset about: the fact that we weren't notified," said Shannon Trochesset, mother of three. "Friendswood is made out to be this racist, bigoted city and it is not. ... They don't care whether you're black, white or purple — or what religion you are — as long as you keep up with your yard and take care of your kids."

Bullying, not religious persecution, is the real issue here, she said.

Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network, said she's not sure how advocates who successfully argued in recent years to create an elective course about the Bible could speak out against this type of instruction.

"Clearly this incident and the surrounding debate illustrates how explosive the issue of religion in public schools is," she said. "What on earth could be wrong about educating students about the diverse faith traditions in our society?"

She added: "Religious freedom means nothing if it doesn't apply to everyone, not just the majority."

In fact, the Council on American Islamic Relations gave a presentation to a world geography class at Clear Brook High School in 2003 without incident.

"It is certainly not uncommon to invite guest speakers to address topics that are part of the Texas curriculum," said Elaina Polsen, spokeswoman for the Clear Creek district. "Students receive lessons to help them understand how people from various groups, including racial, ethnic, and religious groups, adapt to life in the United States and contribute to our national identity."


No comparison
State Board of Education member David Bradley said the assembly on Islam can't be compared to teaching about the state-authorized Bible class or the geography curriculum.

"That's a fallacious argument," he said. "This wasn't history. This wasn't social studies. This was P.E. I don't remember Islam fundamentals being included in our P.E. curriculum."

Friendswood parent Kathy Rogers said she's crushed that the controversy cost a talented principal her position.

She's encouraging parents to attend Tuesday's school board meeting to express their concern about the assembly and also about the principal's reassignment.

"She's being scapegoated," Rogers said. "This has been huge, and I think they're just trying to clamp down on it and make it stop."

Friendswood should have allowed leaders of other religions to have an audience before students, she said.

"That would have been the best effort to putting the fire out," she said. "We don't all worship the same god."