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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Muslim prayers

426 replies

Amibeingtoosensitive · 14/03/2017 19:11

My DD (9) had R.E today
They were learning about Muslim prayers. All fine.
They then went on to get prayer mats and say a Muslim prayer, with their shoes off, on their knees as a group.

AIBU to feel uncomfortable about my DD being made to do a religious practice we do not believe in.

OP posts:
Hassled · 14/03/2017 19:52

I'm with you - I'd feel very uncomfortable about this active participation in a religious activity, whatever the religion. I do feel strongly that all children should be taught about the world's major religions - there's so much history and cultural understanding caught up in knowledge of religion, and in a multi-cultural, increasingly small world we all need some level of understanding of the religions, what they grew out of, how they impact cultural norms etc. But I really don't think this is the way to go about it.

Jazzywazzydodah · 14/03/2017 19:52

One thing missing from so much 'RE' is an understanding of what such cultural beliefs are, and how they came about. It's being subsumed into why you should believe in this, i.e. RI. Religious Instruction

Amen! Wink

Heinousfauxpas · 14/03/2017 19:57

They could just show a video of how and where Muslims' (or any other religions) worship. They don't have to role play it imo.

notaflyingmonkey · 14/03/2017 19:59

Interesting use of the word 'forced' in a lot of these posts. I don't think I've seen it applied to other aspects of learning at school?

Sandsnake · 14/03/2017 19:59

I think YANBU. Prayer is such an intimate part of any religion. I don't think it's appropriate. By all means have the kids learn about and observe the prayers but partaking themselves I think has the potential to minimise the importance of the salat and possibly would be offensive to some Muslims. I also think parents of kids of other religions might also not be keen. There's already a (ridiculous) argument by some religious parents that RE indoctrinates kids into other religions - surely this sort of thing would only add fuel to that particular argument.

Funnyonion17 · 14/03/2017 19:59

This is how i feel when my DC school pushes Christianity on them. I wouldn't mind but it's not even a religious school! RE needs scrapping

Original poster
Amibeingtoosensitive · 14/03/2017 20:06

So they actually had multiple prayer mats (or gym mats) spread out in a classroom? Or did they move to the school hall to do it

Does it matter???
Does moving to the hall make it somehow better?

OP posts:
Nicnak2223 · 14/03/2017 20:07

jazzy Christians worship the virgin Mary

Grilledaubergines · 14/03/2017 20:09

Religion should in my opinion be something to practice at home. I don't feel it has any place in schools. However, since it does currently form part of the curriculum, I would have no issue.

ChippieBeanAndHorro · 14/03/2017 20:10

AIBU to feel uncomfortable about my DD being made to do a religious practice we do not believe in.

No, not at all. I'd be livid.

Simply because I'd have about 20 distraught phone calls if the LO ever mentioned that to any of my grandmothers etc...

Also... IF they were to do it. In the spirit of religious neutrality they'd need to do that for every major (and not so major religion). Which I'd still have a lot of issues with, but not as many, tbh...

TheFirstMrsDV · 14/03/2017 20:10

I am amazed this happened tbh.
I am no expert on Islam but I understand it is taken very seriously and not a subject for play acting.

I have had five DCs in Primary and have never had any of them do this. They visit various places of worship and learn about festivals. Never had any of them pretend to pray to anyone.

I wonder if there are any Muslims MNers who could comment?

Hassled · 14/03/2017 20:11

Funnyonion - it's not your school that pushes the Christianity - it comes from something called School Standards and Framework Act 1998 which specifies daily acts of collective worship "of a broadly Christian nature". Parents do have the right to excuse their DCs from this - but I think lots of people are unaware that it's a requirement on the schools, rather than a choice.

scanbran · 14/03/2017 20:12

It seems as if they were not actually praying, just doing the movements? I really couldn't get worked up about that to be honest. You can withdraw them from RE if you are not happy.

Jazzywazzydodah · 14/03/2017 20:12

Nic the main dude is still a bloke...

'Modern' religion is just another way of spoon feeding patriarchy.

Anon1234567890 · 14/03/2017 20:13

YANBU

Happened to my DC. I had them taken out of RE lessons but this wasn't an RE lesson it was a school trip to explore cultural art. Only parents weren't told it involved a church and participation in a RC mass.

I ripped the HT a new one and seriously considered getting a lawyer. Unfortunately you can take children out of RE but when religion is integrated into another lesson you cant.

HT excuse was, "they could have refused to do it". Seriously children at school have the ability to refuse what a teacher tells them they have to do in front of the whole class.

Teach what other people believe, show them videos of it happening but its immoral to force them to participate, they are children.

Would people be ok with children being taught about sex education and being told to take part in an orgy?

PurpleDaisies · 14/03/2017 20:14

I wonder if there are any Muslims MNers who could comment?

There's already been a comment on the thread that they wouldn't be happy with this.

ChippieBeanAndHorro · 14/03/2017 20:14

It seems as if they were not actually praying, just doing the movements?

Not sure. But if somebody did that with a mass? I think that would be quite disrespectful.

Just like I know Jewish people that dislike it when (usually evangelical Christians) try to emulate Jewish religious traditions.

I imagine some (many?) Muslims may feel the same.

Did they also say the prayers etc or just...?

sherazade · 14/03/2017 20:17

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Sylvannas · 14/03/2017 20:18

I'd be happy for my child to learn about religion but to be told to actively participate in religious practices of any religion would upset me if my child didn't want to participate. I'd tell DS to refuse if he didnt eant to do it and the school can deal with me if they take issue with that.
YANBU in my opinion.

ImGonnaSingTheDoomSongNow · 14/03/2017 20:18

I wouldn't be happy with this as it seems wrong to me to aprticipate in a religious practice which you do not subscribe to.

Yes kids should learn about religions and their practices but not do mockups of them in class, it's disrespectful at best.
RE should be religious and cultural studies and provide information on various practices and within an historical context.

This just seems like a very odd thing to do.

Original poster
Amibeingtoosensitive · 14/03/2017 20:18

It seems as if they were not actually praying, just doing the movements

DD said they were saying funny words and praying to Allah. I take that to mean they were saying an actual prayer

OP posts:
Saucery · 14/03/2017 20:19

Christians worship the Virgin Mary

I think some people should have paid a bit more attention in their own RS lessons

Grilledaubergines · 14/03/2017 20:20

I ripped the HT a new one and seriously considered getting a lawyer.

Hmm

But hopefully someone stepped in and told you not to be abusive and overly dramatic?

WayfaringStranger · 14/03/2017 20:20

This sounds totally bizarre. Are you sure you have the right story?

ChippieBeanAndHorro · 14/03/2017 20:20

Sorry... I missed this:
Christians worship the Virgin Mary

but seriously?! I agree with Saucery. There are so many different denominations, practices etc...

Friends of mine grew of mine (DD's godparents) grew up Mormon, for example...