Muslim prayers

[Amibeingtoosensitive]

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.

Im pretty sure she wasnt "MADE" to do it. But asked or the claseed was openly invited to "join in" do u think its unfair when a muslim child goes to a non religious pu lic school is asked to put there hands together and say a christian pray "our father who art in heaven"

• dont be so prejudice and open ur mind abit more.

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

Not that there's ever an excuse to be abusive. But how is this overly dramatic...?

My SIL (Muslim) just told me she can't imagine any muslims being offended by children making prayer movements. Unless they had acquired arabic language within the lesson they weren't actually praying, just making the movements.

I wouldn't be happy with it, but I wouldn't be happy with my kids being made to participate in Christian prayers either.

Doesn't sound like a prayer . They probably got the kids to practise saying out a few words in Arabic .

Said nonsense words?! You mean spoke arabic? Does the christian faith/catholic/jewish faith all speak nonsense too?

Doesn't sound like a prayer . They probably got the kids to practise saying out a few words in Arabic

I doubt they taught a year 4 class a full Arabic prayer to recite. But the actions and principles were that of a prayer.
They were enacting a prayer.
They were pretending to so a religious practise
That is what I have a problem with

Infact i think maybe your child participating in this ACTIVITY in lesson is a good thing. Maybe your child will be more understanding and welcoming of other peoples beliefs rather then calling them nonsense and saying its wrong.

Said nonsense words?! You mean spoke arabic?

I'm paraphrasing my DD. I wasn't there so I've no idea what they were actually saying

chippie you don't think 'considering getting a lawyer' is dramatic given the situation?

We'll have to disagree I guess!

Said nonsense words?

Well, that's not a particularly nice thing to say, tbh.

ALthough I'm probably unconsciously comparing your reaction to the one my grandmothers etc would have.

I know that at least one would be convinced they had been praying to the anti-Christ.

So, maybe people in the UK are just a bit more relaxed. But I do think the school is doing something quite risky, making students "pretend" to do any kind of prayer... I wouldn't be surprised if more than one parent was upset.

Grilledaubergines

Not really. At least the OP isn't taking her child to the priest... ;)

But seriously, DH is just saying that in his opinion they should do it for every faith. Or else the school wouldn't be religiously neutral...

I don't see why the act of acting out the oraying is educational as such. Learning about other faiths is fine, acting out their personal prayer rituals is unnecessary Imo. There will be educational dvds they can see showing what happens, a child of that faith from class can describe or demonstrate, they can hold a prayer mat and other religious tools or equipment but I fail to see purpose or benefit of acting out prayer.

Chippie "MAKING students pretend"

So you actually think the school forced a child?

Year four is what 8/9yrs old. At that age there minds are open and accepting. Very rarely are they racist prejudice (unless of corse the parents have drilled this into them) a teacher who asks a class of 30 "who would like to join in the prayer and understand how this is done" im almost certain that all 30 children would.

Its fun. It isnt reading or writing or boring work. Its an acticity and no muslim i no would find this offensive in the slightest because its teaching about islam which in itself is such a special thing. And would welcome children and adults alike to learn and understand more about islam.

Meh. We're atheists and still sing carols at Christmas, attended church weddings, the kids have made candle holders for Diwali and joined our (Jewish) SiL in lighting candles for Hanukkah. I'd love to be invited to join in a celebration of Holi. We believe in equal unbelief and if God objects we're yet to hear about it.

Onegreatday - prayer in islam is basically a huge deal, 5 times a day. By learning about the prayer and how its preformed is basically learning a big part of islam.

If it sounds so unbelievable report the sodding post.

I'm doubting it because firstly, children are not reliable narrators and secondly, this is incredibly bizarre.

I've often heard about children learning about Islam, but I've never heard of them 'practicing' any of the other religions out there. I can assure you each and ever Muslim parent would be up in arms if their kids were forced to 'practice' at any other religion! Can you imagine a Muslim boy going home and telling his parents he had to pretend to be a Jew that day? The school would be sued the very next day. Yet all the other religions have to be happy at having Islam force fed to their kids? I'm not racists/religionist (is that a word?) in any way, but this gets me really worked up I'm afraid.

booshbeesh

Yes, and if the teacher hadn't offered...?

It's not like the OP's child walked home and decided... You know what? I want to pretend to pray like "this" (=seeing as we don't know what they were actually doing... Just speaking "nonsense"; genuinely trying to speak arabic...)

One child yes, but I've spoken with a dozen other parents. This actually happened. They couldn't all make up the same scenario

Oh do calm down

Ive been on a trip with Year 7's to a Hindu temple where they sat on the floor cross legged and practiced chanting with the priest. He blessed them all and placed an orange bindi mark on their heads too. Was anyone outraged ?? No, they all enjoyed themselves and learned about a different culture.