Considering moving to SLC as a moderate muslim family (chapel, transfer)

[sakkaya]

Hi there,
We are considering moving to SLC as my husband got transferred there. Currently we live in Canada and we are a moderate muslim family which you can't tell from outside. Both me and my husband work full time, and we have an 8 year old son. As I read through the threads I realized that being a christian but not a mormon could be an issue for kids there in terms of having friends. My son does have lots of friends from different faith groups (mostly christian and others) in school but none of his friends nor their families consider him being a muslim an issue. I doubt that some parent even know that we are muslim. So my question to everybody who lived or is living in SLC is, for a boy as outgoing and friendly as my son, would our faith be an issue even though we live it privately? Would he be an outcast in school? That would probably kill his friendly spirit and we certainly don't want that to happen.
Second question is less important, but would anybody know if there is an elementary school in SLC where the instruction language is french?
Thanks a lot,

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Can't help abouit the school. There are a lot of Muslims in SLC itself. A big group of medical professionals, for one. I see many women wearing hijabs and more conservative clothing - don't know the name of the long coat-type thing? - in a lot of different areas. I don't think anyone would blink twice at you or you son. I know of at least 2 mosques in town, one on the east side (700 East and about 800 South) and one somewhere on the west side of town. A lot of Persians, too.

[frogandtoad]

I think your son would be absolutely fine in SLC. I have not heard of any issues with discrimination toward other kids from anyone (LDS or not) in SLC. It's certainly not systemic or part of the LDS belief system to act negatively toward anyone of any faith. Morningside Elementary has French.

[Lamborgotti]

Nope.

[frogandtoad]

I just wanted to add here to the OP that you said people "wouldn't be able to tell" you're Muslim. IMO you could wear t-shirts saying you are Muslim and you would be fine. You don't need to hide it in SLC.

[uli2000]

There's a great Halal resturant on State just north of 21st South, Curry in a Hurry. Get the lamb and some samosas and you could probably make a few community connections there.

[US-Traveller]

You might not hear about kids getting teased for their religion, but hate against islam is prevalent in every city, every school, and every place across the United States. It happens in every city no matter how liberal or how conservative. You'll just need to learn how to deal with it if you plan on moving to the United States.

[frogandtoad]

Originally Posted by US-Traveller

You might not hear about kids getting teased for their religion, but hate against islam is prevalent in every city, every school, and every place across the United States. It happens in every city no matter how liberal or how conservative. You'll just need to learn how to deal with it if you plan on moving to the United States.

Wow, an expert on how Muslims are treated in every single city in the United States! I wonder if my Muslim friends in Chapel Hill,NC who have told me many times that they have been welcomed warmly and never had any issues, know about this. I should warn them!

[hamham515]

I come to respect the Mormon religion very much, they attitude towards Islam is very gracious. They are very similar to Muslims because they raise the kids the same way I think your kids will be fine to be accepted by them. I had Mormon friends when I was a kid and I am Muslim.

[Lmejh]

Originally Posted by Hamadeh

I come to respect the Mormon religion very much, they attitude towards Islam is very gracious. They are very similar to Muslims because they raise the kids the same way I think your kids will be fine to be accepted by them. I had Mormon friends when I was a kid and I am Muslim.

I think saying Mormons and Muslims are very similar is a bit of an overstatement, but that's just me However, the main point of the above post is true. Mormons' attitude toward all people is gracious.