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Original poster

Fund-raisers that won't offend Muslim families

167 replies

MrsLadywoman · 19/10/2011 16:48

My kids go to a secular state primary school in a multi-cultural area where just over 50 per cent of the children are from Muslim backgrounds. We are about to have a PSA meeting about fund-raising events and there have already been a few raised voices over certain suggestions, for example a roller disco (no music should be played), a barbecue (no pork, no wine) and a bingo night (no gambling). Could anyone offer any suggestions that won't offend?

OP posts:
Himalaya · 21/10/2011 21:48

I'd worry about letting anyone who thought that a good way to deal with bullying is a bullet to the skull anywhere near the PTA.

YorkshireRobbo · 21/10/2011 22:22

Any one handing out abuse to anyone on the basis of their skin colour deserves no place in our society. I worked on the basis my comment would not be taken literally. There is a clear distinction between abject racism and the waving of the 'racist' card when someone's personal beliefs are questioned, objected towards or interfere with a decision making process.

The underlying subtext of the original post appeared to ask where strong religious beliefs stand in today's society when coming into contact with everyday activities, further posts exploring the conflict with our traditions as a nation.

We must never be afraid to object to some of the stronger traits of the muslim faith when they try and impinge on how we live OUR lives. Doing this has nothing to do with racism and people are too afraid to speak up worried that they will be accused of being so.

seeker · 21/10/2011 22:49

I bet you're proud to be white, aren't you, Yorkshirerobbo?

YorkshireRobbo · 21/10/2011 23:00

No seeker, I am proud to be British and just happen to be white. Why do you ask.

whatdoesthisbuttondo · 21/10/2011 23:01

Seeker - that is a strange response, I'm sure we're all proud of our colour and ethnicity. Robbo has stated an opinion which although I may not agree with I respect his right to have this opinion.

whatdoesthisbuttondo · 21/10/2011 23:14

MrsLadywoman we had a lovely fundraising activity at our school where the children and many of the parents had mehndi designs painted onto their hands. They paid 50p for a hand stencil and designed their pattern. The pattern was then taken to parents who had offered their artistic talents and the design was recreated on their hand. Word of warning, it does last for about 7 days but very successful!

seeker · 21/10/2011 23:25

I don't think it was a strange response at all. Lots of warning flags in Yorkshirerobbo's posts.

KatieMortician · 21/10/2011 23:25

Picnic and everyone brings their own. A few games to join in and you're sorted.

Fairs are fine. Just have a variety of stalls. Eg the no fun cake stall, the marginally more fun cake stall, bells and whistles cake stall.

Perhaps not a hog roast.

YorkshireRobbo · 21/10/2011 23:35

seeker, without wanting to deviate from
the post, are you in danger of making your point in response? I offered up my opinion (accepted in a long winded way) that I do not believe that strong religious views should influence decisions in everyday life. We are too weak on the subject.

whatdoesthisbuttondo · 21/10/2011 23:37

Seker - You stated "I bet you're proud to be white" are you saying that's a bad thing?

MrsLadywoman - why not ask for the children to come up with suggestions and place them in a box. The box could be opened at the next PSA meeting and read out - children often come up with some fantastic ideas.

whatdoesthisbuttondo · 21/10/2011 23:43

Just been looking through an old copy of the school newsletter and a big winner with fund raising was a petting stall. We had a local animal sanctuary come along with a selection of animals for the children to stroke and hold - made lots of money for the school. I wish you all the best with this one and hope you find something successful.

Feenie · 22/10/2011 07:48

I agree with seeker - lots of unpleasant undertones in YorkshireRobbo's posts. Sad

TheQueenOfDeDead · 22/10/2011 08:04

Gosh there is a definite need for some perspective at your PTA.

We had similar issue at our meeting last week and the ultimate decision was yes to Christmas events. No one even queried discos/tombolas etc.

The only difference I do live in a very conservative muslim country where Arab woman cover from head to toe and you can get yourself arrested fordrinking without a license.

TheQueenOfDeDead · 22/10/2011 08:54

And of course I should add that all the querying hand wringing was done by the white christians who didn't want to offend.

The Muslim parents were all very enthusiastic about Christmas trees/Father Christmas/mince pies (without the brandy!)

Honestly in all my years living in a Muslim country I have never met anyone who is offended by other religions. I have met people who don't want to drink and are offended by drunkeness, I have met people who are offended by overt displays of affection and the showing of flesh, I have met peple who don't want to particpate in the celebration of a religion other than their own and I have met lots and lots of people (not just muslims) who cannot fathom those who don't belive in any god. But people who are offended that you don't belive in their God, never.

I'm not claiming that such extremists don't exist, of course we know they do but we should all be able to stand up and say extremism of any sort should not be tolerated and that does extend to those who get offended by teh very notion of a celebration of a religious festival other than their own.

donnie · 22/10/2011 08:59

the answer is just don't have any events at all. Then you won't offend anyone. This thread is off its head.

Majestic12 · 22/10/2011 09:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whatdoesthisbuttondo · 22/10/2011 09:28

Just got off the phone with a friend of mine and she suggests a Chai tea stall - very spicy and warm and perfect for this time of the year - lots of recipes on the internet but here is one for you:-

Boil 5 minutes, then steep 10 minutes:

1 Tbsp fennel or anise seed
6 green cardamom pods
12 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1/4" ginger root, sliced thin
1/4 tsp black pepper corns
2 bay leaves
7 Cups water
Add, bring to a boil, and simmer 5 minutes:

2 Tbsp Darjeeling tea
Add:

6 Tbsp honey or brown sugar
1 Cup milk

I've had it at her house and can promise you it's lovely. I asked how she approached the subject of attending school fund events which may put her in an awkward position with her beliefs. Only happened once and it was a hog roast! - she explained she's was busy but wanted to support them the school so she gave the organisers a cheque. She's a classy lady.

alemci · 22/10/2011 11:48

I think Yorkshire Robbo made some valid points. I hate the way the 'R' word is bandied around to stifle debate. That is why GB is in this situation. I think we do appease Islam far too much and it is getting mixed up with Racism when this isn't the case.

The no music thing at a disco reminded me a bit of when Cromwell was in power in the 16th century and no one was allowed to dance or watch players in the street or enjoy themselves.

I don't think we should have to adapt our traditions and culture for a minority group.

Feenie · 22/10/2011 12:23

Our traditions and culture?

Face palm.

alemci · 22/10/2011 12:29

i.e. christmas fairs, discos (yes probably relatively recent from the 70s) bbqs, bingo evenings etc or things that have worked well.

Feenie · 22/10/2011 12:30

It was the 'our' I objected to, not the traditions.

alemci · 22/10/2011 12:37

sure i understand :) sometimes things don't always come across well on forums.

SuePurblybiltFromBitsofCorpses · 22/10/2011 12:38

Yorkshire Robbo you would be confident in your friend's reactions to you rollerblading around them eating a pork pie, would you? You feel you are well-informed about their "muslimism" then?

HermanMumster · 22/10/2011 12:38

Ask the teachers to bring in photos of themselves as babies / school children. Put them up on a big cork board. Charge everyone a pound to fill in the answer form guessing which photo is of which teacher.

TheQueenOfDeDead · 22/10/2011 12:51

To be honest I find these discussions almost impossible to be had, especially in writing, because accusations of racism always arise.

I don't think there is anything wrong with expecting a bit of tolerance from both sides.