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The school district points out that this isn’t something specific to Islam. They examine religions from all of the regions that they cover in World Geography and look at some of the items involved.
For example, when China is up for discussion, the curriculum calls for students to be shown Buddhist prayer beads. They’ll also talk about the yin and yang symbols when the discussion comes to Taoism.
Parents and other members of the community have argued that while those are religious symbols, the Muslim Shahada is a statement of faith, much like the Apostles’ Creed for Christians. To have students write that, they’ve said, is asking them to go against their own beliefs.
In Virginia's Bible Belt, an Arabic lesson ignites anger
The school closings came one week after the teacher gave Riverheads High School students an assignment that involved practicing calligraphy and writing a statement in Arabic — the Shahada, a profession of faith recited in Muslims' daily prayers. The statement translated to: "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." In Virginia's Bible Belt, an Arabic lesson ignites anger
While I do not agree at all with the hate spewed by these so-called Christians...any teacher that ignorant has no business teaching!
These people are so backward. The course is called World Religion. If they don't want their children learning about other religions then have the child opt out or send the child to a Christian school. The shahada is basic information that one would learn when studying Islam.
Further, what does taking prayer out of school and God out of textbooks have to do with anything? These people just want to rant and act ghetto for nothing. No one should be fearing for their safety over this.
These people are so backward. The course is called World Religion. If they don't want their children learning about other religions then have the child opt out or send the child to a Christian school. The shahada is basic information that one would learn when studying Islam.
Further, what does taking prayer out of school and God out of textbooks have to do with anything? These people just want to rant and act ghetto for nothing. No one should be fearing for their safety over this.
Excellent point! I do however feel that using the Islamic statement of faith as part of the lesson was incredibly ignorant and insensitive so soon after the attacks in Paris and California. Plus in a school in the Bible belt!
OTOH, as an ex-evangelical Christian, I know that a statement/profession of faith is meaningless if it doesn't come from the heart, and they should know that too!
Excellent point! I do however feel that using the Islamic statement of faith as part of the lesson was incredibly ignorant and insensitive so soon after the attacks in Paris and California. Plus in a school in the Bible belt!
OTOH, as an ex-evangelical Christian, I know that a statement/profession of faith is meaningless if it doesn't come from the heart, and they should know that too!
Ok, my mistake. This is a World Geography class which the children learn about world religions. But honestly, I don't think I would change the lesson plan just because of the attacks. Wonder if this is a new activity in the course or if this has been done in years past.
The entire thing is very strange. Teacher says this is a Lesson from the Virginia Standards on Learning.
I looked that up.
The Virginia Standards on Learning covers Math, English, History, Science, Social Studies, Civics, Economics & Geography ..... and they have what they call "Essential Understandings" and "Essential Knowledge". The Virginia SOL does NOT mandate certain Lessons, that is totally up to each teacher.
This particular Geography Class is 10th grade (based on the Essential Understandings/Essential Knowledge requirements. It's not a "Religion" class OR an ART class, it's a World Geography Class.
ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDINGS:
The cultural landscape of the North African and Southwest Asian region is influenced by religious traditions and modern ongoing conflicts.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE: North Africa and Southwest Asia (Middle East) Rapid urbanization
Modernization centered in urban areas while traditional life continues in rural areas
Population unevenly distributed
Arab countries and Arabic language
Non-Arab countries: Turkey, Iran, Israel
Birthplace of three major monotheistic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Conflict over Israel/Palestine
Nomadic lifestyles
Art that reflects the diversity of religions (stained glass, geometric tiles, calligraphy, mosaics, prayer rugs)
Cultural landscape Mosques, minarets
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Hagia Sophia
Bazaars, suqs
Western Wall
Dome of the Rock
Kaaba
Pyramids
Walled cities
Calligraphy is an ART. It's not an easy ART to master and it requires specialized tools. There is no question that the ART of Calligraphy is one of the Central ART forms in Muslim Countries, it's even more important in the Culture that actually invented this ART form .... China (where they will study Yin-Yang and Buddhist Beads.
The prime directive (Essential Understandings/Essential Knowledge) does NOT say you must "master" or even "practice" the ART forms ... just have knowledge of them and learn about them. It's also interesting to note the items chosen for "Cultural Landscape".
This "lesson" doesn't pass the Smell Test. It actually took some research to find that particular verse from the Koran. I'm surprised that the Teacher didn't tell the kiddos what they were "writing" and that none of the Kiddos bothered to ask.
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I do however feel that using the Islamic statement of faith as part of the lesson was incredibly ignorant and insensitive so soon after the attacks in Paris and California. Plus in a school in the Bible belt!
