I should start by saying I'm a single parent who embraced Islam before marrying my son's father around 10 years ago. I'm from a white, British and non religious background originally. Have been Muslim for around 15 years, although not as devout as some of my friends. We're all on our own journeys and I've always believed faith is a very personal matter between the believer (of whatever religion it might be) and God.
I've had a lot of challenges over the years, some of which have shaken my faith. Having lived through some life-changing experiences, I've grown to believe that being a good person is what matters more than saying "I'm Muslim" or "I'm Christian/Jewish/Hindu.." etc.
Anyway, I've raised my son alone since we left his father (an Arab Muslim from a Middle Eastern background) when son was a young baby. Domestic violence.
I've raised my son to respect all people and religions, I've never encouraged him to be "different" from his friends... Obviously he doesn't eat pork but apart from that, I like him to blend in. We live in a small rural community, with very little ethnic or religious diversity. His name is a generic Abrahamic name that isn't specifically Muslim.
Every couple of months I meet up with my best friend from our city of origin. A big diverse city. My best friend is from a Pakistani background, Muslim too and has 3 sons.. One is similar age to mine. For as long as they've been able to understand, they've been sent to mosque for 1.5 hours on weekday evenings after school. My friend prioritises this above other things like sports clubs, taking them swimming etc.
On the other hand, I prioritise my son taking back in sports clubs and a martial art that he enjoys doing few times a week after school. This seems to horrify my friend, I mean that I don't send him to mosque. To recite the Quran in a language he doesn't understand. I read the Quran in English so that I can get the full benefit of its meaning. I don't speak or understand any other language and neither does my son. I don't see the point of making kind sit in a mosque for 1.5 hours every night reading in Arabic when they don't understand what they're actually reading. I don't see that this would benefit my son. In my experience, it's more beneficial to read the Quran at home in English and therefore understand.
Each time I see this friend, she keeps asking "have you enrolled him at mosque yet?".. Like it's a "must". Obviously I don't want to clash with her or fall out but I find it a bit overbearing to keep asking. How do I approach this without appearing disrespectful? For now, I just want my son to enjoy being a kid, playing with his friends, playing sport and relaxing after school. He's got his whole life ahead of him to learn about religion and study texts/theology/scriptures etc. This isn't my priority for him at the tender age of 8.