To be angry that parents won't allow their children to go on school visit to local mosque?

[ptangyangkipperbang]

DS2 is going on a school trip to the local mosque. However, the school nearly cancelled it because so many parents have refused to let their children go. I have only spoken to one parent who won't allow her child to go but she said "I'm not racist but...why should they visit a mosque when we daren't get a plane or go to a shopping centre because of that lot". Not racist .

wtf?!

that's very, very sad.

other parents are being an arse.

Message withdrawn

I on the other hand was angry that DS was going on a school trip to a church and hadn't been to a mosque or temple or synagogue or meeting house etc

Now might be an even better time than usual to see a mosque and learn a bit more about Islam as practised by the overwhelming majority of Muslims in Britain.
Those parents should be ashamed of themselves

how sad and stupid. What is the official reason as given to the children though?

Stupid people. What do they think is going to happen?

I blame the media for trying to hammer the message Muslim = terrorist.

Hey ho, never let the facts get in the way of a good story, eh?

Ask yourself this question.Would muslim parents want thier children to visit a church?

I am furious and have written to the headteacher to find out how they have explained to those who are going on the visit why their friends will be staying at school.

I have no idea. Doesn't make it a sensible perspective even if true.

Well, it's not racist because muslims aren't a race, but it certainly prejudiced and unpleasant. I don't understand it myself, and I speak from a strictly conservative Christian perspective. I'd be very interested to take mine to visit a mosque.

I thought women weren't allowed in mosques?

My DDs nursery school is right next to a mosque. They were invited in for a look round, told a very simple story and given some highly unsuitable sweets which in DD's case would have practically have guaranteed a lifetime adherence to Islam.

I was impressed and grateful that as a community they had done this. In troubled times, I think it is the only appropriate response. There is a small class of 3 year olds with an extremely positive view of Islam.

If any parent had been sniffy about this, I would have poked my fingers in their eyes (its an old Catholic tradition).

seems silly of them but I can't see why it would make you angry

I think the parent I spoke to who said she wasn't racist perhaps wasn't referring to Muslims per se but was avoiding using that horrible word P* so she was actually referring to a race.

nothing like tarring an entire religion and race with one fell swoop is there

It is a good idea for children to visit churches, mosques, synagogues etc. It's called education.

Ignorance is a major cause of intolerance.

"Would muslim parents want thier children to visit a church?"

good to see you think all muslims would act in exactly the same way.

I'm angry because I would like my child to believe that everyone is equal. If he somehow interprets this situation as showing that being a Muslim is inferior I think I have every right to be cross. He is only 7 and although I have explained to him that some people are racist I didn't particularly expect it to become a 'hot topic' in this way. If the school had cancelled the trip I would have been furious.

I have a very profound memory of going to visit a Mosque when I was at Primary School. I thought is was one of the most beautiful places I had ever been to (much more colourful and intricate than my Methodist Church). The gentlemen showing us around were extremely kind and weren't even that upset when one of my fellow pupils was sick on the ornate carpet because of the incense (unlike my teacher who went an interesting shade of purple).

See the things you remember as kids.

The kids that don't go from your ds's class will be really missing out on a very valuable learning experience.

why would muslims not want their children to visit a church?

chocolatepeanut, I'd have no problems visiting a church or allowing my kids to visit one. I've been inside many a church for weddings (yes astoundingly I a hijaab wearing Mozlem woman have a large number of friends who are not muslim and some who married in churches).

Have also sadly been in a church to attend a funeral, the preist was lovely and didn't bat an eyelid when I quietly joined the service, the church itself was gorgeous, the service was beautiful, and friends were glad for my support at the time.

Any more questions along similar lines Chohlatepeanut

DS2 will also be delighted if he is offered unsuitable sweets

Do you think that faith schools should be banned because they appear to perpetutate division, mistrust and lack of understanding and are a means for parents to segregate their children from others who do not follow their beliefs?