Prayer in schools
July 14, 2011
There has been a lot of discussion recently, both in the media and in the community, about a Toronto school allowing Muslim students to use the cafeteria for prayers on Fridays, the Muslim holy day.
There has been a lot of discussion recently, both in the media and in the community, about a Toronto school allowing Muslim students to use the cafeteria for prayers on Fridays, the Muslim holy day.
The Toronto Sun, Thursday, July 7, 2011:
Public school prayer sessions criticized
Islamic prayer sessions at public schools send participating girls the message they’re second-class citizens, says a prominent voice from the Muslim community…. Valley Park Middle School in North York has opened its cafeteria during the school year for Friday afternoon prayers. Muslim students were led through a traditional service under the guidance of an Imam, an outside religious leader brought in to lead the sessions. Mackenzie Glen P.S. in Vaughan has done the same, as well as several others in York Region. To read more, click here.
People For Education Viewpoint:
In many ways, the use of the cafeteria by the students could be considered as simply another example of “community use of schools,” like a seniors’ group using the gym for a dance class or a local community group using the space for a meeting. These students are officially “signed out” of school while they attend the prayers. It is not a part of the school day, and participation is completely voluntary. Different boards have different versions of these policies — some allow only student-led prayer, others allow the imam from the local mosque to lead the prayers.
One way to think about this is to imagine that you were a practising Christian or Jew and school fell on Saturday or Sunday — the holy days for those religions. You would be told that not only must you attend school on your holy day, but also that you are not permitted to participate in your religious activities.
What’s your view? Join the discussion in our online community – http://schools-at-the-centre.ning.com/forum/topics/prayer-in-schools