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Muslim Marine meets prejudice at home
Mohammad Zafar training in 1994 at a base in the Californian desert. (Photo courtesy of Mohammad Zafar.)
It all began with a column in the Star Tribune. Katherine Kersten started by asking whether taxpayers were paying for a religious public school, and, in a later column, concluded that they were.
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The press coverage resulted in school officials receiving threatening calls and emails with death threats.
Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy was founded, according to its mission statement, to “recognize and appreciate the traditions, histories, civilizations and accomplishments of the eastern world (Africa, Asia and Middle East).” Kersten claimed, however, that the school did not honor state regulations that prohibit publicly funded schools such as charter schools from endorsing religion.
Following Kersten’s second column, crews from television channels 5 Eyewitness News and KARE 11 descended on the school. A letter from the Department of Education indicates that the department has “corresponded with and conducted site visits at Tarek to ensure that the school is adhering to Minnesota charter school laws, including a requirement that a charter school must be ‘non-sectarian’ in nature.“
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Tarek officials, who were not available to comment on this story, told KARE11 reporters that, “We are fully aware of the obligations that come with that public money. And we take care to insure that we operate a non-sectarian program. None of the public money is spent on any religious activities.”
While Tarek is treading a thin line between culture and religion, one thing remains clear: families, whose only interest is an education for their children in a culturally sensitive environment, were caught in the middle of press coverage that shook them to the core. One such parent is Mohammad Zafar.
In a week’s time, Zafar will be graduating from Metropolitan State University in Social Science and a minor in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. In his last semester, Zafar, a former U.S. Marine, divides his time between writing his final thesis and raising his children.
When he saw the news on Tarek, he was outraged, and then distressed once he heard about the death threats the school was receiving. Worse yet, the situation affected his daughter.
“She is only eight,” Zafar said, “and she is afraid.” The charges, the police cars outside the school, and the adults’ reactions frightened her.
Two years ago Zafar and his wife moved from St. Paul to the suburbs of Inver Grove Heights so that their daughter could go to school in what they deemed, a culturally sensitive environment. To Zafar and his wife, this presented a perfect opportunity for their daughter’s education.
“She came home one day [from her public school in St. Paul], and said she did not want to be associated with the bad god, and did not want to identify as Muslim.”
Distraught at this revelation from their five year-old daughter, Zafar found out that a child at school had been told by her mother that “Allah was the evil god.”
Shortly after, Zafar’s daughter had no playmates and her isolation, he thinks, led to her poor performance in school.
Zafar, like every parent, wanted the best education for his child, one that included not only a comprehensive academic curriculum, but also one that would allow his daughter to flourish as a proud American. Zafar remembers fondly serving in the U.S. Marines.
“Dietary and religious accommodations were made for different religions,” Zafar said of his time in the Marine Corps. This accommodation allowed him to feel part of the larger Marine Corps community. Because there were very few Muslims in his unit, Mohammad says there was no mosque at that time, although there was a church and a synagogue. (Now that there are more Muslims on the California base, a mosque has been built.) were two churches, one Catholic and one Protestant. (Now the Muslims on base have a room for prayer.) However, he could pray even in public without fear of retribution. He is afraid that in a public school, this option was not open to his daughter.
“At Tarek,” he says, “my daughter learns Arabic and freely wears a hijab… her choice.” He explains that his daughter saw her mother wearing a hijab, and wanted to wear one, too, even though her parents did not pressure her to do so.
In the last two years, his eight-year old daughter has noticeably improved her performance. A proud parent, Zafar says, “Last year she was reader of the year in her class, while this year she has been recognized a couple of times as a reader of the month.”
Zafar, whose parents emigrated from Pakistan, fears that a few hateful people damage an otherwise happy American society.
“Don’t worry about a thing. Every little thing is gonna be alright,” he sings to Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, expressing his desire for a diverse and accepting society.
Julia N. Opoti is a free-lance writer who lives in St. Paul.
Comments
CAIR loves to play the
CAIR loves to play the Muslim as a victim.
I find it pretty sad the school principle could not figure out how to use the Flag Pole and raise the American flag every day, as it is THE LAW for a publicly funded school. That says enough right there.
Private versus Public 3.8 MILLION Dollars
I think it is wonderful that people have the choice in the USA to choose a private school for their children. I think that if a person wants to choose to send their child to a private Muslim school, or a private Jewish school, or a private Christian school, then more power to them!
HOWEVER: Public tax paying citizens SHOULD NOT be required to pay for this schooling. In public school systems in Minnesota, Christian children in particular are NOT allowed any displays of Christianity. NONE. At a public elementary school in Inver Grove Heights a year ago, I watched a struggle about a child who at Christmas time drew a picture of a church with a cross on it, and they debated about whether or not this child’s picture could be hung on the wall with other children’s pictures.
The ACLU is NOT separation of church and state oriented. It is seperation of Christianity and State that they want. Where is the Minnesota Chapter of the ACLU filing a law suit against TIZA for the separation of Church and State? Does this family believe that tax payers should be forced to pay for a private Muslim education for his children?
The news and the press exposed this school 1. a substitue teacher 2. A reporter 3. The media for praying, washing, and performing other ritualistic RELIGIOUS oriented behaviors on the tax payers dime.
THIS IS WRONG.
And, DO NOT equate those of us with a legitimate disagreement to be labeled as “racists” or “prejudice” or “hate-mongers” or “Fear-mongers”. We can disagree without labeling people. As soon as you label those of us who do NOT believe that private religious education ought to be provided to Muslims (or any other religion) at taxpayer expense, you end all legitimate discussion.
At LEAST show consistency: If it is separation of church and state that liberals want: Then they too, should be against religious activities at a publicly funded institution.
Are we to believe that 1. Ms. Kirsten is lying? 2. The substitute teacher is lying and 3. The TIZA school director is telling the truth that he has NO idea how to fly an American flag on the flag pole?
I bet this USA marine who’s daugther attends TIZA, would have shown him how to fly the flag, don’t you think?
Now, let’s see if this post is allowed to remain, or if it is mysteriously deleted or not allowed to be posted.
I think TIZA should be forced to pay back every dime of tax payer money for every day, every week, every year that they were funded through public expense and allowed and promoted religious activity at the school.
Kathy
IGH, MN lifetime resident
an honest article for a change
Great job Julia, for bringing the humane face of this ordeal case, which has gone far too much causing small children to fear for their lives; due to the xenophobic agenda driven people.
Mr.Zafar, my hat goes to you for taking time and efforts, while student and proud father, to standing for justice in your best ability.
TIZA, like any other charter school must compel to the regulations. They would not be here today without satisfying and meeting those benchmarks set by Minnesota Department of Education.
Dear Kathy
Kathy, you stated “HOWEVER: Public tax paying citizens SHOULD NOT be required to pay for this schooling. In public school systems in Minnesota,
Dear Kathy, I don’t think anyone is disputing that, in this article.
Kathy, you stated “Christian children in particular are NOTallowed any displays of Christianity. NONE. At a public elementary school in Inver Grove Heights a year ago, I watched a struggle about a child who at Christmas time drew a picture of a church with a cross on it, and they debated about whether or not this child’s picture could be hung on the wall with other children’s pictures.”
Dear Kathy, the story you mention about the child and his/her picture of the church and cross, could you tell us what school debated this event? because, all children who chose to exercise their constitutional right to express their religion, should be able to do so.
Kathy, you stated “The ACLU is NOT separation of church and state oriented. It is seperation of Christianity and State that they want.
Dear Kathy “I don’t see ACLU in this article.
Kathy, you stated “Where is the Minnesota Chapter of the ACLU filing a law suit against TIZA for the separation of Church and State?”
Dear Kathy “again, I don’t see ACLU in this article.
Does this family believe that tax payers should be forced to pay for a private Muslim education for his children?”
Dear Kathy “what family are you speaking of, when you say “this family”?
Kathy, you stated “The news and the press exposed this school”
Dear Kathy, Do you mean the so called exposure by Star Tribune. Katherine Kersten and KSTP news? if so, then you will find that the so call “exposed” information was actually lack of research that has now been shown by Kare 11 news.
Link :http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=508163
Kathy, you stated” 1. a substitute teacher 2. A reporter 3. The media for praying, washing, and performing other ritualistic RELIGIOUS oriented behaviors on the tax payers dime.” Kathy, you also stated “Are we to believe that 1. Ms. Kirsten is lying? 2. The substitute teacher is lying”
Dear Kathy, I cannot determine if they were lying, however, “Getz ( the substitute teacher that your talking about) told KSTP-TV: “I’ve been in a lot of schools and I’ve never been in a school where they had washing rituals, or they had prayer, or where they had a room where you had to take your shoes off.”
Did she say “washing rituals”? I would hope that a person who is a licensed teacher with the state of Minnesota would be capable of knowing that Muslims do wash up before prayers, just as Muslims wash up before eating food.
Did she also say “had a room where you had to take your shoes off?” When did taking shoes off become a crime? I hope she never goes to Japan, where the removal of shoes will surely shock her.
It’s sad to see our tax dollars being used to support a teacher who didn’t even ask the many — yes, many — non-Muslim teachers at TIZA about Muslim practices, and instead chose to stay ignorant of these practices. It’s also sad that the journalists covering this story have not mentioned the non-Muslim staff or non-Muslim teachers at TIZA.”
Dear Kathy, according to the constitution, students do have the rights , and all schools have to provide accommodation. no one is forcing anything and if they were, Kare 11 would have seen it. If you noticed, KSTP or Star Tribune have not done a follow up news after kare 11 news.
Kathy, you stated “And, DO NOT equate those of us with a legitimate disagreement to be labeled as “racists” or “prejudice” or “hate-mongers” or “Fear-mongers”. We can disagree without labeling people. As soon as you label those of us who do NOT believe that private religious education ought to be provided to Muslims (or any other religion) at taxpayer expense, you end all legitimate discussion.”
Dear Kathy, {“racists” or “prejudice” or “hate-mongers” or “Fear-mongers”} are your words and I am not able to find them in this article, however, Journalists who worked on this story should be held responsible for creating unjustified fears and an atmosphere of hate that has spawned threatening emails, phone calls, and possible violence toward TIZA charter school and its children and staff.
Kathy, you stated “At LEAST show consistency: If it is separation of church and state that liberals want: Then they too, should be against religious activities at a publicly funded institution.”
Dear Kathy isn’t “liberals” labeling? Again, you seem to have misunderstood what happened. The bottom line: TIZA charter school has Saturday and Sunday off like all other public and charter schools. That means Jews have Saturdays off and Christians have Sundays. These families are able to wake up with their kids and go to synagogues and churches, and maybe then visit a restaurant or grandma’s house. But for the Muslim children, they don’t get Fridays off to go to prayers and spend time with their families. Instead they can choose to pray on a cold gymnasium floor.
If we were to switch the weekends from Saturday and Sunday to Monday and Tuesday, how many rooms would be created for the Christian children who chose to exercise their constitutional right to express their religion?
Kathy, you stated “and 3. The TIZA school director is telling the truth that he has NO idea how to fly an American flag on the flag pole?” you also stated “I bet this USA marine who’s daugther attends TIZA, would have shown him how to fly the flag, don’t you think?”Dear Kathy, no i didn’t. so now who is jumping to conclusion?
It seems that you are the one that is labeling. As a former U.S. Marine, I think it’s ridiculous to use the American flag controversy to try to show that TIZA is un-American. It is very much American
Kathy, you stated “Now, let’s see if this post is allowed to remain, or if it is mysteriously deleted or not allowed to be posted.”
Dear Kathy, I would have been disappointed if that would have happened because then, I wouldn’t be able to answer you. I am glad that there was no mystery behind that.
Kathy, you stated “I think TIZA should be forced to pay back every dime of tax payer money for every day, every week, every year that they were funded through public expense and allowed and promoted religious activity at the school.”
Dear Kathy, Its a good thing that they didn’t promote any.
Kathy you are “Kathy
IGH, MN lifetime resident”
I am former United Stated Marine (Proud and humbled).
Mohammad Zafar
Promotion of Religious activity in Publicly Funded-tax payer....
Mr. Zafar,
5/6/2008
Thank you for your response.
If you read my words correctly you would have noticed that I did not say that you showed the TIZA school director how to fly the American flag. I said that I presume that you would have shown him how to do this, had he asked you to.
Thank you for your service to the United States of America by being a Marine.
I also have many family and friends serving in the Marines and the Navy. I am continually grateful for all who serve and give selflessly to our Country.
I must also say that if STUPID profane bigoted people are making threats and doing and saying horrible things that they should be held accountable. It is unacceptable behavior and should not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form.
I must say that your military service does not render a person’s opinions unquestionable or infallible. Reverend Jeremiah Wright also served in the Marines and even Barack Obama has separated himself from Rev Wright in disagreement over his sermons and statements.
So, I respectfully disagree with your opinions.
I read your response. I think that you underestimate what goes on in the Public School System. It was South Grove Elementary School, where my child attended before; they had to tear it down to due lack of tax payer funding for our public schools. Christianity is stifled and discriminated against in the public school system, make no mistake about it. It is the one religion left that overt discrimination is still tolerated!
As a child, I was faithfully Catholic. I wore a “Scapula” which is a symbol that for some of the Catholic faith (which exercised my own individual right to freedom of religion). I was teased when and questioned about it constantly. However, my family could not afford to send me to a private Catholic School. And, there were no tax payer funded (at 3.8 MILLION dollars in the 2007 – 2008 school year) labeled under the guise of a “Charter” school that my parents could send me to.
There was no “Charter” School funded by Tax Payers that had Holy Water at the entrance for me to make the sign of the cross with as I entered School. There was no camaraderie for me as very few took the Catholic faith as seriously as I did in my past. There was no display of the Stations of The Cross provided by my public school that I could bow and pray to. There was no group kneeling and pews with a Tabernacle provided by the public school that I could kneel and pray at. There were no candles provided by the public school for me to light for a loved one.
There is a difference between -School Sponsored and School Promotion of Religion and Religious activities versus Limited Tolerance of an Individuals Rights to freedom to practice their Religion.
In Public School systems there are a diverse religions and backgrounds. There are Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and all students are welcome at truly Public School Systems at Tax Payer Expense. The school system itself does NOT promote a specific religious activity, although it may be required to allow and “tolerate” small acts of religious activity by an individual.
How many Jewish students attend TIZA? How many Evangelical Free people attend TIZA School?
Why should your daughter get to attend a school at tax payer expense where she feels more comfortable practicing her Religion through attire, prayer, and ritual?
Why shouldn’t we all get to do the same thing for our specific religion? We can. But, NOT at TAX PAYER EXPENSE. We are required to pay out of pocket $5,000.00 to $12,000.00 per year WITHOUT So much as a TAX Deduction. CONTINUALLY the legislature denies tax credits to private tuition paying parents. So, not only do parents pay private school tuition for private school education at a RELIGIOUS institution: THEY CONTINUE TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES AND STATE TAXES that fund PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS. Charter Schools that are presumably NON-religious.
Is that fair taxation? I believe that it is NOT.
Are you aware of the financial situation Independent School District #199 has been in? School closings, public meetings, assigning blame over the years…. What about all the unfunded mandates that continue to go unfunded? What if District #199 had 3.8 million dollars more this school year to educate ALL Inver Grove Heights Residents? This would have helped with our teachers’ salaries, reduced the number of students in a classroom, and who knows what else! There is only so much money to go around in the public school system.
Public Schools are ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. Public Schools are not RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
I refuse to accept the political correctness run amok in our society. I work in social services. I work with very diverse populations on a personal level and the population of people that I work with range from Buddhist to Muslim to Jewish to Catholic to Christian, and from Refugees and Immigrants to US Born Citizens. I absolutely respect and admire their right to practice their belief system and their religious system in their homes, and in public institutions through their individual expressions of their faiths. I respect the choice of people who are agnostic or atheist.
I will not accept that I cannot hold this expressed opinion and still love and honor other’s who have different belief systems from myself.
I refuse to accept the notion that we should accept one religious practice and the promotion of one particular religion in a public school system, which is publicly funded while stifling others and disallowing the same.
I fully support your right to send your child(ren) to a private religious school of your family’s choosing!! I do not support religiosioty being promoted and encouraged at an alleged public secular school system.
It is, at best, inconsistent. I believe it to be unfair and discriminatory.
Thank-you for listening to me. The story and news reports were fairly frustrating. It is good to be able to debate and discuss. I realize that the article was not just about what I am addressing. However, why does it have to be? I think it is a perfect forum for debate over the topic.
Can you truly say that you do not understand how people could have legitimate anger and frustration over the TIZA school being tax payer, publicly funded? Truly?
I prefer “clarity to agreement”.
Sincerely,
Kathy
(And, yes… I am a proud lifetime resident of Inver Grove Heights! Imperfect yet lovable just the same!)
Most people are biased
Most people are biased against anything with an Islamic name partly because of this administration’s (in conjunction with the main stream media) propaganda & bias. This is a Charter school of which there are many kinds….Jewish, Catholic, Urban e.t.c. all funded by public money.
If we are against public funding, then let’s talk about all of them and not single out the Islamic ones. This country has a history of treating harshly members of a community which it might have external conflicts with; Japanesse, the Red scare….it’s time we start acting like the United States and be that shinning city on the hill once again.
Most of the people in this country share the same values as the rest of us. We have to give all of them the bennefit of the doubt and stop with the sideways glances and negative whispers.
Again, don't rush to judgement
Kathy,
Your first point is contestable; there is a lot of support in MN public schools for Christianity. Christian holy days are vacation days, for instance. There is a recent large faith-based initiative (reported on by the TCDP) by Minneapolis public schools—involving mostly Protestant churches, a few Catholic churches and Jewish synagogues, no mosques, Buddhist temples, etc. Many schools around the state sing Christmas songs and put on Easter pageants.
The Constitution does call for a separation of church (religion) and state. But folks also tend to take Christianity for granted as the nation’s religion, and don’t think through what a real separation might mean.
Second, there is no need to rush to judgement on TIZA, the way the City of NY rushed to judgement on Debbie Almontaser. Especially as now—it seems clear from the more recent reporting by the New York Times—the quick judgements did her (and her school, and her students) an injustice.
There is no reason to believe the subsitute teacher is “lying.” Goodness, people can have incorrect perceptions of a new situation without telling an untruth. Every school (including, for instance, my older son’s Montessori school) has its own “culture,” and it takes a while to master it.
Also: This is the first local article I’ve read that makes the connection to Almontaser and what happened in NY. I hope (and trust) we Minnesotans wouldn’t go down that same road.
Thanks Julia and TCDP for fleshing out our understanding of this ongoing story.
It isn't Christmas: It's winter Break...
Support for religious Christian holidays?
Spring break NOT easter break
Winter Break NOT Christmas Break
Holiday Party NOT Christmas Party
Holiday Concert NOT Christmas Concert
I don’t hear anybody contesting Valentine’s Day!
Should we take “In God We Trust” off our money?
Funny thing… When the Media Bashes Republicans or Conservatives they are media darlings and the media is perfectly correct. I am actually super surprised that the Star Tribune even allowed that article to print. THAT is amazing.
Dear Kathy, this is my rebuddle to your argument
Kathy you stated “Spring break NOT easter break,Winter Break NOT Christmas Break,Holiday Party NOT Christmas Party,Holiday Concert NOT Christmas Concert”
Dear Kathy, That would be like saying “happy holidays” instead of “Marry Christmas”
I went to Matcalf Junior high and Burnsville High School. I never asked to have my spring break every time Easter came, I never asked to have by winter break at the time of Christmas, I never asked to have a holiday party every time Christmas roles around and I sure didn’t ask to have a concert at my school before Christmas. Oh BTW, they did sing Christmas songs at our school concert every year that we were obligated to go to, the teachers said Marry Christmas before we left for what you call winter break and my daughter had to sit in class when all her friends colored Easter Eggs.
please stop playing word games. My brothers (also a former US Marine) son goes to public school (not charter public) and he still does such things.
Your argument seem to be full of error variables.
Katy you stated “ I don’t hear anybody contesting Valentine’s Day!”
Dear Kathy, The point isn’t to make a big deal out of holidays, but to show how many Christian holidays are bing taken in to consideration for actual school time off for kids while others are bing ignored.
Kathy you stated “Should we take “In God We Trust” off our money?”
Dear Kathy, Sarcasm is not going bring validity to the holes in your argument.
Kathy you stated “Funny thing… When the Media Bashes Republicans or Conservatives they are media darlings and the media is perfectly correct. I am actually super surprised that the Star Tribune even allowed that article to print. THAT is amazing”
Dear Kathy, instead of playing a victim, it would be better to rebuddle. Fog and Mirrors are not going work any longer & besides, its getting old.
Dear Kathy, this is my rebuddle to your debate with me
Kathy you stated” thank you for your response”
Dear Kathy, your welcome
Kathy you stated” If you read my words correctly you would have noticed that I did not say that you showed the TIZA school director how to fly the American flag. I said that I presume that you would have shown him how to do this, had he asked you to.”
Dear Kathy, your correct, you stated“I bet this USA marine who’s daugther attends TIZA, would have shown him how to fly the flag, don’t you think?”
Kathy you stated “Thank you for your service to the United States of America by being a Marine”
Dear Kathy, I did it because I felt strongly about it and Thank you for your comment.
Kathy you stated “I also have many family and friends serving in the Marines and the Navy. I am continually grateful for all who serve and give selflessly to our Country.”
Dear Kathy, Any selfless act is an act that we should be grateful for, so this is good.
Kathy you stated” I must also say that if STUPID profane bigoted people are making threats and doing and saying horrible things that they should be held accountable. It is unacceptable behavior and should not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form.”Dear Kathy, this is why i have an issue with reporters that don’t do their research
Kathy you stated“I must say that your military service does not render a person’s opinions unquestionable or infallible. Reverend Jeremiah Wright also served in the Marines and even Barack Obama has separated himself from Rev Wright in disagreement over his sermons and statements.”Dear Kathy, I am not Reverend Jeremiah, so are you comparing me to him? :)
Kathy you stated “So, I respectfully disagree with your opinions.”
Dear Kathy, Its nice to talk to someone that disagrees. :) this is good
Kathy you stated” I read your response. I think that you underestimate what goes on in the Public School System. It was South Grove Elementary School, where my child attended before; they had to tear it down to due lack of tax payer funding for our public schools. Christianity is stifled and discriminated against in the public school system, make no mistake about it. It is the one religion left that overt discrimination is still tolerated!”
Dear Kathy, the single incident that your telling us about is (in my opinion) is Discrimination. I have Christian family members and I would not have liked that one bit. As for your generalizing that comment, i disagree due to the fact that there are over 2 dozen Christian sponsor Charter schools in our area alone. If you need to know which schools they are I will bring you that information.
The main point is, not how many Christian sponsor charter schools are around, the point is that I don’t find this to be a negative thing because these schools, just like TIZA are allowed to be Charter school that are publicly funded.
If there is any discrimination towards student constitutional right to warship, then the schools are breaking the laws and thats the problem, I am sure we both would agree, should not happen.
kathy you stated “As a child, I was faithfully Catholic. I wore a “Scapula” which is a symbol that for some of the Catholic faith (which exercised my own individual right to freedom of religion). I was teased when and questioned about it constantly. However, my family could not afford to send me to a private Catholic School. And, there were no tax payer funded (at 3.8 MILLION dollars in the 2007 – 2008 school year) labeled under the guise of a “Charter” school that my parents could send me to.”
Dear Kathy, I am sorry that you were teased, my daughter went through the same problem (as stated in the article). I am fearful that these type of issues could became so bad one day that we might end up like Europe where there are laws against Hijab, Cross etc.
Kathy you stated “There was no “Charter” School funded by Tax Payers that had Holy Water at the entrance for me to make the sign of the cross with as I entered School. There was no camaraderie for me as very few took the Catholic faith as seriously as I did in my past. There was no display of the Stations of The Cross provided by my public school that I could bow and pray to. There was no group kneeling and pews with a Tabernacle provided by the public school that I could kneel and pray at. There were no candles provided by the public school for me to light for a loved one.”
Dear Kathy, I am sorry that you had to grow up in an hostile environment such as the one that did not respect your religious believes and rights, however now there are plenty of Christan sponsor charter schools that your kids are able to go to and that is good news. I am not sure how many of them are Catholic funded charter school, but I do know that (for sure) there is at least one.
Kathy you stated “There is a difference between -School Sponsored and School Promotion of Religion and Religious activities versus Limited Tolerance of an Individuals Rights to freedom to practice their Religion.”
Dear Kathy, I agree, that is why I like TIZA for my daughter, she can be her self and no one will pick on her and the respect her right to pray.
Kathy you stated “In Public School systems there are a diverse religions and backgrounds. There are Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and all students are welcome at truly Public School Systems at Tax Payer Expense. The school system itself does NOT promote a specific religious activity, although it may be required to allow and “tolerate” small acts of religious activity by an individual.”
Dear Kathy, I don’t know what you mean by small acts but as far as I know, basic prayers, wearing a cross or HIjab should be allowed by law that is part of our constitution.
Kathy you stated “How many Jewish students attend TIZA? How many Evangelical Free people attend TIZA School?”
Dear Kathy, I don’t know the answer to that question, however i know that it would be illegal to ask any child that question or even the parent. I guess I could ask the same question regarding Jewish or Christan sponsor charter schools but I can’t for the same reason stated above. We can hypothesis that the parents want to send there kids to schools that they would be comfortable being them selves. Any child that would be refused to go to a school due to there religious believes, would be a problem I think. In this case its not, and I am sure Jewish and Christan sponsor charter schools follow the same guidelines.
Kathy you stated “Why should your daughter get to attend a school at tax payer expense where she feels more comfortable practicing her Religion through attire, prayer, and ritual?”
Dear Kathy, because her or any child of any faith, wanting to practice his/her faith is protected by the constitution.
Kath you stated “Why shouldn’t we all get to do the same thing for our specific religion? We can. But, NOT at TAX PAYER EXPENSE. We are required to pay out of pocket $5,000.00 to $12,000.00 per year WITHOUT So much as a TAX Deduction. CONTINUALLY the legislature denies tax credits to private tuition paying parents. So, not only do parents pay private school tuition for private school education at a RELIGIOUS institution: THEY CONTINUE TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES AND STATE TAXES that fund PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS. Charter Schools that are presumably NON-religious.”
Dear Kathy, We all should be able to do the same thing and if you like I can bring you list of Christian sponsor charter schools in you area that you might like your children to go to. As you can see, it is upheld by the constitution so your child have every right to practice his or her faith. The debate brought up but KK from Star Trib and KSTP was that kids are forced to follow Islam while this was shown to be wrong by Kare 11.
Kathy you stated “Is that fair taxation? I believe that it is NOT.”
Dear Kathy, following the constitution is fair so there is no problem with that.
Kathy you stated “Are you aware of the financial situation Independent School District #199 has been in? School closings, public meetings, assigning blame over the years…. What about all the unfunded mandates that continue to go unfunded? What if District #199 had 3.8 million dollars more this school year to educate ALL Inver Grove Heights Residents? This would have helped with our teachers’ salaries, reduced the number of students in a classroom, and who knows what else! There is only so much money to go around in the public school system.”
Dear Kathy, It seems that you have an issue with Public School VS. Public Charter school. So do you have an issue with the concept Charter Schools? Then your entering a bigger debate then what you will find in this article.
Kathy you stated “Public Schools are ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. Public Schools are not RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.”
Dear Kathy, I agree.
Kathy you stated “I refuse to accept the political correctness run amok in our society. I work in social services. I work with very diverse populations on a personal level and the population of people that I work with range from Buddhist to Muslim to Jewish to Catholic to Christian, and from Refugees and Immigrants to US Born Citizens. I absolutely respect and admire their right to practice their belief system and their religious system in their homes, and in public institutions through their individual expressions of their faiths. I respect the choice of people who are agnostic or atheist.”
Dear Kathy, as do I.
Kathy you stated “I will not accept that I cannot hold this expressed opinion and still love and honor other’s who have different belief systems from myself.”
Dear Kathy, your comment were not in correlation with the article. Thats what I was trying to point out. You did also use labels which seem to be a generalization so, again I was pointing out that as well.
Kathy you stated “ I refuse to accept the notion that we should accept one religious practice and the promotion of one particular religion in a public school system, which is publicly funded while stifling others and disallowing the same.”:
Dear Kathy, As do I, and that is why I my daughter goes to a school that respects all faiths.
Kathy you stated “I fully support your right to send your child(ren) to a private religious school of your family’s choosing!! I do not support religiosioty being promoted and encouraged at an alleged public secular school system.”
Dear Kathy, again, I choose TIZA because it respects all believes, including my daughters .
Kathy you stated “It is, at best, inconsistent. I believe it to be unfair and discriminatory.”
Dear kathy, as do I.
Kathy you stated “Thank-you for listening to me. The story and news reports were fairly frustrating. It is good to be able to debate and discuss. I realize that the article was not just about what I am addressing. However, why does it have to be? I think it is a perfect forum for debate over the topic.”
Dear Kathy, I also agree that its nice to be able to blog each other with out discrimination or insults. My questioning your generalization is an important factor because this is a huge problem, when it comes to the issue of the “in-group and out-group”
Kathy you stated “Can you truly say that you do not understand how people could have legitimate anger and frustration over the TIZA school being tax payer, publicly funded? Truly?”
Dear Kathy, Actually I do know why they are angry and frustrated,. Its because KK from Star Trib and KSTP reporter didn’t do their jobs and now they got hit hard by Kare 11. What I don’t understand is why people choose to stay this way when truth is shown. I also don’t understand the terroristic emails and phone calls and I am sure you would agree with that.
I prefer “clarity to agreement”.
Sincerely,
Kathy
(And, yes… I am a proud lifetime resident of Inver Grove Heights! Imperfect yet lovable just the same!)
Dear Kathy, I want to say that i am sorry if I sounded a bit rude in my last comment and also in my answering you recent comments in regards to holidays.
I will make sure that next time will not do that and will follow your example :)
Thank you and I am happy that we are getting this chance to talk.
Sincerely
Mohammad
Independent view from Mindy Greiling, house K-12 finance chair
Kathy,
It’s true that naming conventions, in many places, have changed to “winter break,” “spring break,” “holiday party,” etc. But they still take place around Christian holidays. We don’t have a “winter break” at the same time as Eid al-fitr, for instance. So whether or not we admit, “Hey, we get off from Dec. 23- Jan 2. because these are the Christian high holidays,” that is the way things are structured.
And, more importantly, Mindy Greiling, chair of the House K-12 finance division, went and checked out TIZA. Her response:
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/18721864.html
church and state
If the US is going to allow a potential soft jihad to fester within its borders, everyone, left and right, dem and republican, lib and conservative, christian and muslim, is going to have to accept complete and utter separation of state and religion. Christianity has been putting up with it for decades, now it’s Islam’s turn. In Turkey, where they know all about radical Islam, imams and clerics have to submit their sermons to the state for approval, to keep an eye on the inflammatory, violent rhetoric that inexorably moving into mainstream Islam.
It is almost predictable, how the vigilant ‘separation of church and staters’ have been so focused on eliminating every public trace of Christianity for so many years, that they have a blind spot for Islam, preferring instead to call it Islamic ‘cultures’. I think one very valuable tool in the fight against this appeasment in the name of multiculturalism is education – teach ALL children the difference between secular societies and theocracies, between human rights and sharia law. There is no quicker way to inoculate children against brainwashing than to provide them with the truth.
It is also very ironic, that the very issues about which liberals rail against evangelical Christians, e.g., separation of church and state, unlimited individual freedoms with regard to things like drugs, abortion, pornography, freedom of expression, etc., are things that Islam will repress at least as severely as Christianity every did, albeit centuries ago. Christianity made it through its dark age and established the age of reason. Hopefully, the concepts that founded western civilization will survive the upcoming Islamic dark age.
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