The Council of America Islamic Relations (CAIR) says it presented
the Puyallup School District with a request to teach young students about Islam and the Muslim religion as a way to ease fears and educate students. However, the district says they have not received such a request.
At a town hall meeting on Tuesday night, the parents' message was clear: they don't want religion being taught in public schools.
"Muslims are welcome here, but if you're going to be here, you get in line and become American first," said parent Lisa Hedger.
Hedger said as a parent, she doesn't want any part of the Muslim religion taught in her daughter's public school.
"And I actually told her teacher she was not going to write this," she said.
The mother said religion has a time and place, and school is not it.
"How did you feel Sunday, on 9/11? I spent the whole day in tears, and its been 10 years. And I didn't think I'd feel that way," she said.
CAIR made a request to the Puyallup School District for special accommodations for Muslim children during Ramadan and other holidays. The group also wants to come into schools and speak to children and teach them about Islam.
"We've seen a rise in bullying against Muslim students, and so our goal (is) with some education, with the right accommodation, students will be safer in their schools," said Gennifer Gist of CAIR.
More victimhood propaganda nonsense. This is absolute hooey.
But that safety is being questioned by many, including members of Pierce County ACT! For America, an organization dedicated to concerned citizens and parents who feel CAIR has ulterior motives.
"For America's sake, we don't think that it's fair that Islam gets a pass and the other religions don't, but also because CAIR is a front for the Muslim brotherhood," said group member Kerry Hooks. "We have a real problem with organizations with ties to terrorism that come into the public schools."
Most of the parents who attended the town hall meeting agreed on keeping religion out of school and want classrooms focused on education.
Blog Smith is inspired by the myth of Hephaestus in the creation of blacksmith-like, forged materials: ideas. This blog analyzes topics that interest me: IT, politics, technology, history, education, music, and the history of religions.