School is asking children to say ‘peace be upon him’ anytime Mohammed is mentioned

[Kitkat189]

My child’s teacher asks the class to always say ‘peace be upon him’ if the prophet Muhammed is mentioned in RE, for example. Used in a sentence it would be something like ‘Muhammad peace be upon him is the founder of Islam’

The teacher explained that this is to show respect to the Muslims in the class.

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this. Is there an expectation that non Muslims use this expression? Or is it more of a courtesy? I am guessing the latter?

And if it’s the former, should people be compelled to utter this phrase out of respect? To literally wish peace upon a prophet of a religion they don’t belong to? I realise this is not a problem for the majority of people but out of interest, would a devout follower of another religion have objections to this?

(This is year 6, teacher is not Muslim, there is one Muslim in the class whose family are pretty secular, he told the teacher he doesn’t use this expression himself.)

This is awful and so wrong!

That’s your choice.

For me, I’ll not respect a religion that does not respect me (as an atheist female)

Leave our kids alone. Did we lose a war that I don't know about?

I've been told by Muslim friends that they don't expect non Muslims to say PBUH when mentioning Muhammed.

If that were the case, it would have taken half an hour to say "Good morning" in some offices I have worked in.

i doubt the teacher actually said that,

it sounds like the teacher is terrified of being seen to say or do the wrong thing which I understand in this day and age where everything seems to be offensive to everybody and it’s an absolute minefield. The other day I was accused of calling somebody fat because I commented that they looked quite squashed in the corner of the train and I offered to swap seat as I was in the aisle.

Hard no.

Absolutely no way.

It is all awful- making any child involve themselves in any religion in schoolis appalling. Teaching about religions is one thing- instructed chanting/prayer/ genuflecting or any 'practise' of a religion is unacceptable.Schools should be entirely secular.

i agree

Worlds gone mad!

Just because I don’t believe in something, doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t grant something with respect when in the presence of those who do.

My respect is based on people and how they act. Not some bollocks about how they are supposed to act (and rarely do).

I guess I'm weird.

My child’s teacher asks the class to always say ‘peace be upon him’ if the prophet Muhammed is mentioned in RE, for example.

So it's in the context of a lesson that teaches children about different religions and their customs? That's fine.

OP's deliberately baity heading on the other hand is not. It's got posters frothing and disparaging another religion, like kids are being forced to say it in the dinner queue or during PE, when they clearly aren't.

Yes but it's not just about respect. It's about learning. And learning is more memorable if you actively engage in the lesson. And so as a teacher, you provide opportunities for children to actively engage in their learning.

My parents say grace before a meal. I’ll still show respect and partake. It matters to them. ‘Going through the motions’ is respectful to them. When visiting the Vatican I have ensured I am appropriately dressed. I have covered my hair and removed my shoes when visiting a mosque.

I think we have to agree to disagree on this one :)

You realise that teaching religion, and asking children perform act of worship is different though, right?

This is one of those things that is very minor but is always going to get random people out with their pitchforks.

Yes, Muslims say it. No, Muslims do not expect everyone else to say it but the teacher was being MINDFUL and RESPECTFUL about another religion - remember when that was a thing?

For those people saying they would write to the head/ remove DC/ burn down the school or whatever, get a grip. The OPs DC are not going to come home wearing a burka.

It's not mindful or respectful - it's a sham.

We say the same for Jesus PBUH and all other Prophet's actually.

Do you want to expand on that as Muslims all over the world disagree with you.

See The Islamic Information Center or just google the phrase

Worshipping Mohammed.

All prophets in Islam are followed with PBUH, including Jesus. So if they want to be respectful, then it surely it makes sense to refer to Jesus in the same way, which I suspect they’re not which confirms it’s just a token gesture.

That's not out of respect for Christianity, but a reference to their Jesus who is not god but a prophet. Every time you hear it they are denying your god.

I'm not religious but I think wishing peace upon anybody is a wonderful thing.

I taught in a few Catholic primary schools for a few years. I was required to participate fully in all religious aspects, including Mass.

I was required to cross myself with Holy water when I entered, genuflect before entering the pew, recite the rosary and participate fully in all responses during Mass. In one school I was asked why I hadn't taken Communion and they were shocked when I said it was because I wasn't Catholic - apparently I passed really well!

It wasn't a mindless pantomime. It was a requirement of my job and a mark of respect to the staff and pupils for whom it was important.