Would the Muslim school permit a Christian school to come in and teach their students about Christmas and "pretend" to be a Christian?

Scott

Posted by: Skaught at October 20, 2004 11:04 AM

Access to our children's minds is the easiest way to conquer us. Remember that. Each and everyone of us must now investigate to see to what extent this is happening in our own school districts and to TAKE ACTION.

Posted by: epg at October 20, 2004 11:06 AM

If these children have to play act and pretend that they're Muslims, do the parents have to go out and buy plastic machetes, and not let their kids bathe for a month or so?

All parents of this school should jerk their kids out of school during this farce.

Posted by: DCWatson at October 20, 2004 11:22 AM

Why do we have to pander to this ? This is fundamentalism, pure and simple. I'd yank my kid out of there so fast. And that goes for any religion. Either that or I would have my kid ask questions like, "Why did the founder of Islam shag a little girl ?" or "Why does Islam want to stone people to death and chop their hands off for petty theft and persecute non muslims ? Hmm ?"

Have these people lost their cotton picking minds ?

Posted by: ReligionOfPeaceMyArse at October 20, 2004 11:22 AM

Kids should be asking why it is that Muslims are always starting trouble, hacking people up, and bombing moms and their kids......Actually, the school districts and their officers should all be called on the carpet for this.

Whatever happended to the power of the American Taxpayer? Our money funds these schools.....We need to tell them no.....

We elect these fiends into office and they lose their freakin minds.......

Posted by: DCWatson at October 20, 2004 11:32 AM

I am not a religious zealot of any real denomination. I probably qualify myself as a fairly shaky christian, but when I read such articles, combined with the retreat of christianity from schools in America (and Canada, where I live) I do get a little infuriated by it. Its one more inch toward Isalmisizing the west, and I would pull my kids from any school trying to do that. What are these people up to, and who do they answer to.

No Islam, Know Peace

Posted by: North_Freeze at October 20, 2004 11:42 AM

And where is the ACLU in all of this? Can you imagine the fuss if, say, Catholic "multicultural trainers" were sent out to elementary schools to teach kids about the Seven Sacraments, or to invite them to recite the Apostles' Creed?

But Islam gets a pass because... well, why, exactly?

Posted by: Cato the Elder at October 20, 2004 11:48 AM

Seems the ACLU is too busy eradicating Christian complicity in our schools to pay any attention to this.

http://www.aclu.org/ReligiousLiberty/ReligiousLibertyList.cfm?c=139&ContentStyle=1&num=1000

I'd dress my kid in an orange jumpsuit and instruct him to sit on the floor, knees to chest, in the front of the room.

Posted by: khamr at October 20, 2004 12:01 PM

There should be an uproar about this, schools are supposed to be secualr now, but for islam it's a totally different rule.
Go to this town people and protest, get the parents to pull their kids out, or spit in the face of the scuzlim freak talking about it, get them to ask "why do muslims in arabia treat camels with more love and respect than their wives....?", or... "why do muslims strap dynamite to themselves and explode near crowds of innocent people..." (I could think of plenty more).

They're trying to dhimmi-do it in the UK too. Teaching kids about islam so they can "understand" muslims culture better!!!

We don't want our kids to understand their corrupted, backwards, bloodsoaked cult, we don't even want muslims in our friggin' country.
Whats so special about islam (hawk!!!Spit!!!), why does it stand alone in it's exemption from secularist laws??? I can't figure it out, has islam secretly taken control, but it is being kept quiet from the public tyo prvent mass hysteria???
Thats the only reason I can think of that makes the slighest crumb of sense, because the only thing I can see concerning islam that should be compulsory, is it's total eradication.

Posted by: Rikki at October 20, 2004 12:30 PM

OK folks....I just e-mailed the school. Here's a copy of what I sent them.

Sent to: Linda.Sabo@fcps.edu

Good day. My name is D.C. Watson. I reside in Ohio. I also take part in a few weblogs that address the issue of Islam, and the affect it has on our great nation. I'm somewhat shocked at what I've been reading regarding the children of American taxpayers being forced to participate in the teachings of Islam.

I suppose I must ask if all of you in this school district have weighed this out. Are you of the belief that Islam is peaceful? That only a few Muslims have "hijacked" a great religion? That Islam is tolerant of other religions?

Please consider this e-mail, which will be published for millions to view, a warning about this intolerant sect, that uses a version of God to spread its word all over the world. Please think about this for a minute. Other than Haiti, do you know of any of the many conflicts currently underway around the world that don't involve Muslims?

I'm sure you remember Beslan, Russia.....Who was it that ran a bayonet through a little boy who asked for a drink of water? Chechen Muslims. Who was it that shot children in the back or beat them with the butts of their guns for trying to escape? Muslims. Who made school children drink their own urine for three days? Muslims

Please, before our children are victimized, re-think your position on this. We're not a fanatics, we're American Patriots. We number in the tens of millions, judging by the number of hits received on the weblogs each month. Church and State are supposed to be separate in America, and Islam deserves no preferential treatment.

If you feel that Islam is peaceful, I will refer you to Qur'an verses 4:89, 5:17, 5:51, and 8:12, for examples. Many more can be found in this book. Please don't fall to gullibility with these people. Islam was born in war and grew the same way. You're an educator. Please educate our children without Islam as part of the picture. America's future depends on those most influential in our children's lives.

Thank you so much for your time.

D.C. Watson Ohio USA

Posted by: DCWatson at October 20, 2004 1:01 PM

Have your kid give a 'report' on Islam:

Mohommand was a murder.
Mo was a rapist.
Mo was a pedophile.
Mo was a common robber and thief.
Mo was a false prophet.
Mo was a liar.
Mo was a racist.
Mo was insane.
. . .

And back it up with actual verses from the Islamic holy scriptures.

Educate the kids about the truth about Islam and Mohommand....

Posted by: CrazyFool at October 20, 2004 1:06 PM

DC Watson-
Thanks for the letter, I have a niece and nephew in Herndon that apparently I am going to have to de-program now, and I'm not happy about it.
For those of you who would care to contact the mayor of the Town of Herndon, his name is Michael O'Reilly, and his e-mail address is:
mikeoreilly@herndon-va.gov
BTW, now you know why we call that area Northern Virginiastan.
Thanks to everyone for their efforts.

Posted by: Mike at October 20, 2004 1:10 PM

What is there to understand exactly ? Why do we need to understand it and more importantly, who decided we had to understand it ? Who the feck took the decision that this particular cult needs to be taught in school over any other cult ? This is absolute nonsense. If anybody is that interested in islam they can do a "google" and find out for themselves or go to the local mosque or whatever. Are we heading for another dark age here ?

Posted by: ReligionOfPeaceMyArse at October 20, 2004 1:12 PM

Are we sheep for G-d's sake?

We can't utter the word G-d in our schools if it has anything to do with Christianity but Islam is slithering into our children's classes right before our eyes and we do nothing?? No more Christmas decorations in our school but our kids are celebrating Ramadan and saying the Shahada?

This is all part of a plan by extreme leftwingers and the ACLU in our country. They are attempting to brainwash our kids into thinking 'America bad, everyone else good,"JudeoChristian bad, Islam, the religion of peace, goooood."

If this is allowed to happen -- if American parents are that complacent about fighting for thir kids and ultimately for our country then we deserve what we get!

Maybe Reza was right ...

Posted by: Kemaste at October 20, 2004 1:29 PM

If the school system in Virginia is allowing Muslims to come in to do a "dog and pony show", then both the Virginia school system and the Muslim school in the area should allow the same accessibility for those of other faiths to come in during their holidays to explain their belief system and have everyone pretend to be a Jew, a Christian, a Hindu, etc - why now Jews during the High Holidays or Passover, Christians at Christmas or Easter, Hindus during Diwali. If the Virginia School system and the Muslim school do not allow equal access to those of other faiths, then the Muslims should not be allowed in - it should either be "everyone" or "no one".
I am so tired to see that the ONLY religion allowed to be TAUGHT in the PUBLIC schools is ISLAM! Where is the ACLU when non-Muslims need them?
jihan

Posted by: jihan at October 20, 2004 2:30 PM

As Cato says, why the pass for islam?

Why this outpouring of concern from the liberal establishment over our "lack of understanding" of islam? Why the special education packs, role-playing and so on?

What's in it for the liberal left?

How are they going to cope when the Hindus for example start objecting to this promotion of the beliefs that the islamic murderers in kashmir ascribe to?

How well do our schoolchildren understand Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism?
We can't include Christianity here of course, as the teachers have no desire to promote what they rgard as a white imperialist racist blah blah blah, but how are they going to handle the protests from those they can't dismiss with the usual pc mantra?

Posted by: saoirse at October 20, 2004 2:35 PM

I never thought that patriot christian Americans would bend over for Muslims like this.

Posted by: Voltaire at October 20, 2004 2:41 PM

Here are some better e-mail addresses:

//www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/education/

Go to Whitehouse interactive, you can e-mail directly from there.

Secretary of Education, The Honorable Rod Paige
www.ed.gov

//www.education.virginia.gov/
Belle S. Whelan secretary of education state of virginia

//www.governor.virginia.gov/

Governor Mark Warner

Posted by: susan_b at October 20, 2004 2:48 PM

D.C. Watson - fantastic letter ! If everyone here at JW and DW and all their friends sent something similar the teachers in Virginia would have to think twice. All organisations are frightened if lots of people start to complain and if enough of us followed DC Watson's lead we could stop this indoctrination from happening. The Left use this tactic of bombarding people they're trying to influence very successfully - time for us anti-jihadists to adopt their tactic. Read Tammy Bruce's "The Death Of Right And Wrong" to see how left and gay activists tried to destroy Dr.Laura Schlessinger's career by emailing everyone they could. Let's turn the table on the PC crowd and reclaim our world.

Posted by: Son Of Albion at October 20, 2004 2:51 PM

"Twenty-something S's of Ramadam":

Stay away from dhimmis.

Stone to death any female accused of doing anything "unholy."

Smoking... DON'T DO IT OR YOU GO TO HELL!!

Scream everyday about Israel's "brutal oppression of 'palestine.'"

Slouch to look emaciated and austerity.

Say, "I'll finish my fast, god willing" to make it sound like your reeeeeally hurting.

Spiritual Struggle... tell the dhimmis this is the "real" meaning of "Jihad."

Scrunch up your face when in the company of dhimmis to look hungry despite your huge breakfast.

Sundown, Sit down and eat a Sumptuous feast.

Sunup, push away from the table after gorging yourself on a huge breakfast.

Stay up all night cooking for you sons and husband (females only).

Spit out you Saliva instead of Swallowing it.

Semen.... don't make any until the end of Ramadan.

Satan.... watch out for this guy, the king of the Jews. He may tempt you.

Slop trough.... the traditional name for the place where pigs eat.

Swine... another animal that likes to gorge itself at sunup and sundown.

Slaughter and Starvation in Sudan... a mythical, Zionist conspiracy designed to make Holy People look bad.

Suadi Arabia.... the most beautiful place on earth.

Posted by: kj at October 20, 2004 3:02 PM

For those who love to 'dig' (am too tired to retrace my steps).. do a search for "Ramadan in public schools." Even in Salt Lake City! Same group in all schools. Then link on to teachers booklets for public schools and see who has been responsible for the booklets, content and spread of these teaching materials. Surprise, surprise! And them with ties to Hammas! I wrote to ACLU demanding something be done regarding Islam in schools. Never received an answer to any of my requests. Hmmmm.

Posted by: vashti at October 20, 2004 3:03 PM

Sodomy.... don't do it, not even with your own wife!

Posted by: kj at October 20, 2004 3:03 PM

The ACLU is too busy protecting Rush Limbaugh in his doctor-shopping schemes.

Posted by: kj at October 20, 2004 3:04 PM

To everyone using susanb's e-mail contacts, prioritize Gov. Warner's office. Education is ultimately a state responsibility, although I firmly believe the federal authorities, particularly Ed Paige, should be made aware of this.

Posted by: Mike at October 20, 2004 3:21 PM

And what about kids who unwittingly become muslims by saying the shahada without knowing that by saying it, means that one becomes a muslim?

If case of such event, both students and parents should sue.

Posted by: Voltaire at October 20, 2004 3:29 PM

Okay I've sent emails to the Governor and the Virginia ACLU but my one to Belle Whelan got bounced back . Can someone give me her email address again so this slow-witted Brit can get it right this time?

Posted by: Son Of Albion at October 20, 2004 3:38 PM

I just wrote a letter to the mayor of Herndon. (mikeoreilly@herndon-va.gov) I encourage all of you who expressed outrage about this to do the same.

I don't want to go to my grave without fighting back, knowing that I did nothing, even simple letter writing to attempt to blunt the Islamification of the United States. Do it for our children and grandchildren. You know the truth about Islam ...

Here's my letter:

Dear sir:

I was extremely disturbed to learn that Islam/Ramadan is being taught to impressionable third and fourth graders of Herndon.

Is Christmas celebrated in your school, Mr. O'Reilly? Are Jewish children or Buddhist children coming to your school also? Do the children get to role play as Jews and light Hanukkah candles in your school? Is there something about Islam that makes it the exception to the rule, excludes it from the usual precedent of separation of church and state?

Your schools in Herndon are public schools funded by the American taxpayer, are they not?

I wonder how the American taxpayer would feel about their hard earned dollars going to fund the teaching of Islam in the American public school system? Many American taxpayers have sons or daughters, husbands and wives, Mothers and Fathers fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq. Their family members pay taxes and will tell you that the blood of their loved ones is not drenching foreign soil so their children can be taught Islam in American schools.

Can you tell me why you don't have a rabbi, a Catholic priest or a representative of the Amish coming to your school to enlighten the children regarding their religious practices?

If your students are not allowed to celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah and not allowed to pray in class or recite the Pledge, including it's controversial "one nation under God," then how can you justify what you are allowing to happen in your schools? Does this teaching include the unspeakable acts inflicted on the infidel and the stepped up acts of violence and bloodshed in honor of Ramadan? Allah looks upon these acts as extra special Mr. O'Reilly, just ask Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

I hope you will forgive all of my questions as I find this naivete very perplexing in light of the many conflicts worldwide (instigated by Muslims who want to spread Islam by the sword or taqyiah,) that you want to teach the children of Herndon the customs of Islam.

According to the words of the Quran, all the world including the United States is to become dar al Islam. Please purchase a copy and educate yourself. Better yet, open your eyes to what is happening around the world, of the barbarity inflicted on innocent victims all over the globe in the name of Islam.

Posted by: Kemaste at October 20, 2004 3:38 PM

Hi Kermaste - Wonderful letter ! I agree that fighting this is the least we here at DW and JW can do to help safeguard our children's future. Here's my own humble missive to mike o'reilly :-

To: mikeoreilly@herndon-va.gov
Subject: Teaching Of Islam In Herndon Schools

Dear Sir,

I'm writing to you because I've just read an article that states that public schoolchildren in Herndon, Virginia are to given lessons in Islam from a muslim teacher. I am shocked and dismayed by this news because I have always admired America's attempts to seperate Church and State. When did Islamic prayer become part of the American school curriculum ? Will Jewish and Christian teachers in Herndon now be invited into Muslim schools to teach their religions to muslim children ?If not , what are you doing to stop this one-sided religious indoctrination ?
I am also interested to see if the lessons on Islam will include telling the children that leaving Islam is punishable by death or that to slander Mohammed or Allah (a la Salman Rushdie) also carries a death sentence. Will Virginia children be told that the Prophet married and had sex with a nine year old girl ? Will the lessons feature the passages from the Koran that call for the death of the Jews and unbelievers or the stoning of adulterous women . Will they learn that beheadings and suicide attacks are all sanctioned by Islamic holy scripts ? Will they learn that muslims divide the world into two parts - the House of Islam and the House Of War (i.e. the world's 5 billion non-muslims) ?
In a world where religion has caused so much suffering I am saddened to see that Herndon is making the most violent religion of all time part of it's young children's lives, I am also contacting the ACLU in the hope that it can use it's powers to help stop this,
Yours in sorrow,

Posted by: Son Of Albion at October 20, 2004 4:27 PM

This is where the war has been all the time. Not in Iraq or Afghanistan. These wars have served only to divert the attention of people to where the real Jihad is taking place; in the West.

One of the principles of jihad is that it must wage unremitting war against the Infidel but in such a way that it does not lead to the Islamic Ummah being put under threat. So there will be no second 9/11 in the near future. And here I mean for the next 8 to 10 years. There is no need. OBL has done his job in increasing the attention of Westerners to Islam. Now it is upto the ummah to carry on the Jihad.

Dawa and proselitysation in schools has gathered pace by a huge amount while our attention has been diverted in Iraq. Combined with the demographic threat and our willingness to compromise at every step, the West will be weakened to such an extent, that we will surrender without a fight and not even realise that we were doing so.

This is not a defeatist message. It is simply a recognition of what is happening. One needs to fight this and soon. The fight is here and always has been.

Posted by: DP111 at October 20, 2004 5:27 PM

I advise people here that letters should be sent to the Superintendent of Schools and School Board of Fairfax County Public Schools (http://www.fcps.edu/). The town of Herndon doesn't have oversight of public schools. Here's the letter I sent:

'I am a taxpayer who lives in [city in Fairfax County] and works in [city in Fairfax County]. It has come to my attention that elementary school students from a Muslim academy in Herndon, facilitated by “multicultural trainer” Afeefa Syeed, will be visiting their counterparts in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to share the practices and beliefs of the Islamic “holy” month of Ramadan.

It is my understanding that Ms. Syeed and the students from the Muslim academy will present the call to prayer in Arabic and that there will be “interactive” activities in which FCPS students recite Muslim sacred words and imitate Islamic prayer practices. This presents the opportunity for Ms. Syeed and her students to convert FCPS students to Islam. One becomes a Muslim by uttering the Arabic words transliterated as “Lā ilāha il-Allāh Muhammadur rasūl Allāh,” which means, “There is no god but God [and] Muhammad is the messenger [or prophet] of God,” in the presence of Muslim witnesses (see Shahada, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahada). Thus, young FCPS students might unknowingly convert to Islam by reciting words they and their teacher don’t understand.

It has long been accepted that public schools can teach about religion, but cannot teach religion itself. This effort to educate FCPS about Ramadan crosses the line into promoting and proselytizing a particular religion, namely Islam. I urge you to inform Ms. Syeed that her training is not welcome in public schools.

Regards,

(My real name and address)'

Posted by: northernvirginiastan at October 20, 2004 6:46 PM

Yes, this goes way beyond just teaching your kids about a religion. This is proselytizing and indoctrination. I can't see how anybody could dispute that. How about kids play act at taking their First Communion? Or how about you take them to a body of water and have a minister dunk them in while blessing them? How about a pretend Bar/Bat Mitzva? I'm sure the ACLU and their ilk would be jumping up and down, eyeballs popping, veins bulging, in outrage and indignation at any of that sort of "role-playing".

This is Islam spreading itself into our children's minds, like brain cancer. Good luck to everyone's letter-writing campaigns. Your sample letters sound great. If it would help, I'd write one too, but I'm not sure they'd heed a voice from across the world.

And if little Ahmad can sit in the library during Ramadan to avoid being exposed to food, would little Johnny and Rebecca be allowed to sit in the library to avoid being exposed to this Islamic brainwashing and propaganda exercise? Maybe that's what parents need to do, if this disgusting brainwashing can't be stopped. Just tell your kids to go sit in the library. If most or all of the class did that, it would send a clear message.

Posted by: feralee at October 20, 2004 8:24 PM

PLEASE SOMEBODY OUT THERE, HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We must find out EXACTLY WHO THESE DERANGED PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE that are handing over the western world's democracy to the Islamic Fruit Loop Barrel on a silver platter! Then we must punish them and stop them from ever doing such a thing again. And, once that is accomplished, we must undo the terrible damage they have done to our civilization, so that we may live decent lives free of such horrors as Islam and terrorism (or 'jihad') 'happily ever after-' (or something like that).

Save the world from the evil killer zombies of Islam and their malevolent, deranged zombie masters (or imams)!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: pythagoras at October 20, 2004 8:34 PM

Could no longer stand it so here are some links to Ramadan in Salt Lake City public schools, same
Afeefa Syeed bringing them in..
"Ramadan finds a spot in public school curriculum
Fascination with Islam: Students are being educated about the time of fasting and spiritual reflection for adherents of the Muslim faith"
By Holly Lebowitz Rossi
Religion News Service
Over the next few weeks, multicultural trainer Afeefa Syeed will bring third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students from the Muslim Al Fatih Academy in Herndon, Va., to area public schools to share the practices and beliefs of their holiest month, Ramadan.
Syeed and the children will present the call to prayer in Arabic, display prayer rugs and offer tastes of dates. In countless other classrooms across the country, similar efforts will be made to educate students about the time of fasting and spiritual reflection for adherents of the world's second-largest religion"...www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_2425291
schools...also, the Muslim plan for public schools at..http://www.soundvision.com/Info/education/pubschool/edu.nonmuslimteacher.asp...and the rest of the plan plus 'laws' to insure the Muslim is not taught incorrect info. from text books.... Islam : Getting Involved in the Public School System is a Religious Obligation!at...http://www.soundvision.com/Info/education/pubschool/pub.involv.asp (this has links to your legal rights, vote school board Muslims in, etc.)
All of the public schools that are doing Ramadan are 'Syeed' group. All over the country! Wonder if they fly first class?
This is well organized, planned and will never stop until they run the public school systems. Just read what they are doing. (shudder)
If any do hear from ACLU..please post to borad?
Thank you.

Posted by: vashti at October 20, 2004 8:38 PM

A few days ago there was an article in The Washington Post about local Muslims being "worried" about how they were now being traeted. The female and therefore seemingly unagressive, though properly chadored --- who is Afeefa, what is she, that all her swains chadored her -- Afeefa Syed, round-faced and smiling, ready of course to go among schoolchildren, a smiling public woman, to tell them about inoffensive Ramadan ("it's just like the Christian Lent -- and just like Jews, we don't eat pork" -- we're all brothers under the ideological skin)-- and thus, with these young impressionable minds, to make an -- impression.

It is up to their parents to protest this use of school time to propagandize. For if one tells children about Ramadan, but not about Sura 9:29, or a hundred other verses in the Qur'an, or a thousand "authentic" (sahih) hadith, or tell them what Islam is all about, Afeefa Syeed or anyone else is engaging in taqiyya (google this word if you do not yet know it). You have to protect your children. Who, among Infidels, would willingly see his own child become tempted by the monstrously totalitarian and primitive doctrines of Islam, with that manichaean split between Believer and Infidel? Who, among Infidels, does not realize that Islam stunts the mental growth?

The children should not be pawns in the sinister hands of the smiling likes of soft-spoken, friendly, sincere -- oh, how sincere -- Afeefa Syeed. You have to protect your children, your life, your civilization. The government is not doing enough. You have to do it for yourself.

Alas.

Posted by: Hugh at October 20, 2004 10:35 PM

Guys, thank you for all the information provided here. It is nice to know that there are people out there who are aware of this danger and who care. I have e-mailed to the mayor of the town of Herndon urging him to show that this program had good intentions by making it a requirement in schools to pay equal attention to other major religions during the holy times for the people who belong to those religions. If any one has heard anything in reply from any of the officials please do share. I hope they will be able to see what is going on. I mean they are parents too, how can they overlook that there is danger in saying something in the language that you don't understand! The Muslim groups start little by little, but they are building this network of influence in every sphere of our lives. And the funny thing is - with the help of our laws and liberties...

Posted by: Sherlock at October 20, 2004 11:17 PM

Afeefa, Multicultural Trainer? What a nice, convenient job to be in for Afeefa. Gives it an air of respectability and validity. Paid for by the taxpayer.

What other cultures does she teach about? And are they true cultures versus religions? I mean, does she teach about Buddhism when she talks to kids about Japanese people? How convenient that Islam falls into the 'culture' basket and not just religion.

"Fascination with Islam" - sorry, but my feelings about Islam run closer to revulsion and disgust.

Posted by: feralee at October 20, 2004 11:36 PM

Robert Spencer - Thank you for not letting this issue fade away! This topic just boils my blood!!

Another late evening - but I managed to pull some more addresses up and re-send some nastygrams. I hope everyone continues to send out letters. There is power in numbers and this must be addressed en masse.

Here is an updated listing of relevant
e-addresses to contact :

ACLU of VA
Executive Director: Kent Willis
6 N. 6th Street, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-644-8022
no local e-address posted however the ACLU feedback e-address is: https://www.aclu.org/feedback/feedback.cfm

Chairman, Kathy L. Smith, Sully District, kathy.l.smith@fcps.edu
Vice-Chairman, Kaye Kory, Mason District, kaye.kory@fcps.edu
Braddock District, Tessie Wilson, tessie.wilson@fcps.edu
Dranesville District, Jane K. Strauss, Jane.strauss@fcps.edu
Hunter Mill District, Stuart D. Gibson, stuart.gibson@fcps.edu
Lee District, Brad Center, brad.center@fcps.edu
Mason District, Kaye Kory, kaye.kory@fcps.edu
Mt. Vernon District, Daniel G. Storck, daniel.storck@fcps.edu
Providence District, Phillip A. Niedzielski-Eichner, pneichner@fcps.edu
Springfield District, Catherine A. Belter, catherine.belter@fcps.edu
Sully District, Kathy L. Smith, kathy.l.smith@fcps.edu
mayor of Herndon
mikeoreilly@herndon-va.gov

Superintendent of Schools and School Board of Fairfax County Public Schools
http://www.fcps.edu

Virginia Department of Education
Contact: Charlie Makela, School Library Media and Technology Specialist
cmakela@pen.k12.va.

Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
Robert C. Vaughan, President
Contact: Andrew Chancey, Associate Director
vfh-info@virginia.edu

Virginia PTA
Ramona Morrow, President
Contact: Debbie Romonouskas, Office Administrator
info@vapta.org

Region IV Comprehensive Center
Dr. Sandra Angius
aelinfo@ael.org

Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, Inc. (The)
Sheryl Denbo, Executive Director
equity@maec.org
publications@maec.org

Virginia Parent Information Resource Center
Susan Goranson
Contact: Summer Campbell, Administrative Assistant
sgoranson@vpirc.net

AEL
Doris Redfield
aelinfo@ael.org

Mid-South Regional Resource Center
Kenneth Olsen
Contact: Teresa Blythe, Information Services Coordinator
The Alliance for Systems Change
Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute/UK
msrrc@uky.edu

Virginia Department of Correctional Education
Walter McFarlane, Superintendent of Schools
paennis@dce.state.va.us

Adult Learning and Resource Center (Virginia)
Contact: Donna Grieco, Office Manager
vdesk@vcu.edu

Office of Special Education Instructional Services (Virginia)
H. Douglas Cox, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and S
Contact: Cathy Pomfrey, Secretary
cpomfrey@mail.vak12ed.edu

The Honorable Russell Potts
Chair
Senate Education and Health Committee
rpotts@sov.state.va.us

Virginia Dept. of Education:
For questions regarding the Standards of Learning, curriculum, teacher resources, etc...
instruction@mail.vak12ed.edu

For question pertaining to teacher education and licensure.
ppitts@mail.vak12ed.edu
Secretary's Regional Representative

Robert Baker, SRR
robert.baker@ed.gov
Charles R. Smith, DSRR
charles.r.smith@ed.gov

Local clergy:

Congregation Beth Emeth, Herndon, VA
(703) 860-4515

Church Of Jesus Christ Of Lds
2727 Centreville Rd, Herndon, VA 20171
Phone: (703) 793-0012

St Veronica Catholic Church
(703) 689-4409
info@stveronica.net

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church
2516 Squirrel Hill Rd, Herndon, VA 20171
Phone: (703) 793-1196
seberhart"@mtpleasantbaptist.org;mwillis@mtpleasantbaptist.org

Temple Baptist Church
(703) 437-7400
Pastor: davidpittman@templebaptistchurch.org
Assoc. Pastor: joemims@templebaptistchurch.org
Youth Pastor: jonstone@templebaptistchurch.org

Floris United Methodist Church
2730 Centreville Rd, Herndon, VA 20171
Phone: (703) 793-0026
Rev. Tom Berlin,Sr Pastor, tberlin@florisumc.org

Rev. Gordon Pruitt, Assoc.Pastor,
gpruitt@florisumc.org

Rev. Martha Real, Assoc. Pastor, mreal@florisumc.org

Trinity Presbyterian Church Web Site
651 Dranesville Rd, Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: (703) 437-5500

And the Herndon VA media outlets:

Observer Newspaper
1043 Sterling Rd # 104, Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: (703) 437-5886
editor@observernews.com

Times Community Newspapers
13873 Park Center Rd, Herndon, VA 20171
Phone: (202) 478-6666

Washington Families Inc
485 Springpark Pl # 550, Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: (703) 318-1385
editor@familiesmagazines.com

Posted by: justamomof4 at October 21, 2004 12:58 AM

This is totally crazy. Why dont the parents simply threaten the school with a class action (is that too simplistic? I'm not sure of US law on this point).

After all, isnt the teaching of religion - any religion - banned in US public schools? The only way this would be acceptable is if it were part of a comparative religion project.

Of course, the parents could always turn it around by compiling a list of questions about Islam - ask the 'clerics' to explain about the stoning of rape victims, cutting off the hands of thieves, the hatred against Jews etc.

I would be asking (and demanding an answer, not the usual sugar-coated bs) - why the koran is full of hate and bigotry - and I would have the relevent verses written down.

If these kind of questions were asked, and answers demanded, the truth about Islam would soon be plain for everyone to see.

Posted by: DianaC at October 21, 2004 1:17 AM

Truly mind boggling horror. Who would have believed it ten years ago?
This is the invisible hand of islamic jihad striking at the heart of america.
It is even worse than glaringly obvious violent side with which we are transfixed by islam whilst they stealthely promote the other sides.

how come this has never been proposed for Judaism, Buddhism or Hinduism?- NO need to answer that!

Posted by: george at October 21, 2004 4:15 AM

I've recruited the assistance of a drinkin' buddy of mine who has read the Qur'an from cover to cover. He also went to Catholic school for 12 years. Attached is his letter to the blind educators in Virginia who are about to ruin good American kids with Islamic nonsense.

The Honorable Russell Potts: Chair
Senate Education and Health Committee

It is with great distress that I am writing this letter. I am disturbed by stories that I have been reading concerning “cultural diversity” training in Herndon, Virginia’s public grade-schools. I am most disturbed that preferential treatment is being proffered to Muslim students, who are being allowed to spread their “teachings” in the disguise of “tolerance” in an American public school.

I would think with the recent controversy over the use of the word “God” in our pledge of allegiance, and the removal of such Jewish and Christian “emblems” such as the displaying of the Ten Commandments, that any form of religion in a taxpayer-funded house of education would be a strict “no no”.

Apparently this is not the case. As I understand the situation, Muslim students from an Islamic School are going to be allowed to come into the public schools and “educate” third, fourth, and fifth graders about Islam. Most disturbing are reports that the students will engage in “role playing” in which they will recite Muslim prayers and imitate Muslim prayer-styles, such as bowing to the east and professing belief in “The Prophet” and “Allah”. This is in blatant disregard of the separation of Church and State which we hold so dear in this great country. Why should preferential treatment be offered to Muslims? Out of some misguided feeling of “fairness”? I would submit that this is folly in the disguise of political correctness.

Putting aside the fact that millions of Americans feel (justifiably so) that those who practice the Muslim “faith” cannot be trusted in matters of national security (this is, after all, a religion rooted in violence and warfare, a minimal amount of research or reading of The Koran will reveal this fact), I can speak from experience in saying that I attended 12 years of Catholic School and never once were we permitted (or requested) to enter public schools and teach them about Catholic doctrine. Nor were any public school students ever compelled to recite a rosary, or any other form of Catholic prayer. Again, there is a separation of Church and State in this country, plain and simple.

I would suggest if the Islamic Schools of Virginia wish to teach about “tolerance” and “understanding” that they offer some sort of workshop on their own school grounds and then those who are open-minded and trusting of their Islamic neighbors can show up voluntarily. Something tells me the turnout wouldn’t be all that spectacular. Instead of trying to force their beliefs on innocent and unquestioning children, the leaders of the US Muslim community need to spend their time ferreting out the terrorists and killers in their own midst. Once this starts to happen, the good citizens of the US will be eager to learn more about their Muslim “brothers” who are participating hand-in-hand with the war against senseless killers.

The problem is not with the US citizens, the problem is with the rank-and-file Muslims in America, who do not seem at all eager to flush out the poison that is leading to all of this “misunderstanding”.

I respectfully ask that the School Board of Harmon, Virginia, wake up and see the folly of their actions, if not for their selves, for the sake of their impressionable children.

Sincerely,

Kevin R. Montavon

Posted by: DCWatson at October 21, 2004 2:12 PM

I found this...........it's a sort of primer on church and state.

We should all study up on it. It may help give legal background info that we can use for further correspondence.
//atheism.about.com/od/churchstate/

Separation of Church and State: Politics, Religion, and Culture
Find out about religion in public schools, like school prayer, the national motto, the Boy Scouts, government support of religion, legislation favoring religion, the philosophy and history of the separation of church and state, and more. The freedom of religious belief is dependent upon the freedom from other people's religious beliefs.
Articles & Resources

Secularism 101: Religion, Society, and Politics
Secularism is one of the most important movements of the modern West. Its influence and power serve to differentiate it not only from the Middle Ages and more ancient eras, but also to differentiate the West from other cultural regions around the world. The modern West is what it is largely because of secularism; for some, that is a reason to cheer, but for others it is a reason to mourn.

Religious Symbols, Religious Holidays
Can the government take a religious holiday and make it an official state holiday? Is it an establishment of religion when a religious holy day becomes an official state holiday? Because the United States has historically been dominated by Christians, there are many Christian practices which have become part of American culture - including, the state recognition of Christian holidays.

Redefining Religious Freedom: Special Rights for Religious Believers
Religious conservatives are anxious to expand the power of religious organizations in the United States, even if that means turning basic principles of religious freedom and liberty on its head. Instead of treating religious freedom as a type of general liberty and of freedom of conscience, they wish to treat religious freedom as a unique type of liberty, deserving of special treatment.

Sabbath Laws
Should the government try to keep certain businesses and activities "off limits" on the sabbath of any particular religion? Is there a "secular purpose" to mandating one particular day off which just "happens" to be the sabbath of the country's dominant religion?

Church & State Polls: Register Your Opinion on Church/State Issues
The separation of church and state is an important issue many different societies. Should the government actively support and endorse any particular religions or religion generally? Should the government suppress religion in public so as to prevent sectarian strife? Or should the government remain generally neutral, neither helping nor hindering any religions?
4 more Articles & Resources below
More Categories

Church/State Decisions (6)

Church & State News @

Book Reviews: Separation of Church & State @

Church & State 101 (4)

Church/State Myths (3)

Church & State Polls (40)

Churches & Tax Exemptions (11)

Pledge of Allegiance (5)

Religion in School (7)

Ten Commandments (9)

Recently Reviewed Books on Law
Reviews of recently published books dealing with legal issues. Included are books on laws, the legal system, the courts, key legal decisions and more.

Recently Reviewed Books on Church/State Separation
The issue of the separation of church and state has been at the center of a tremendous number of debates in the United States. Questions about prayer in pubic schools, government support of religious events, and more have created a great deal of controversy and quite a few court cases. The books here represent some of the best current works support church/state separation.

Supreme Court Decisions on Religious Liberty
Read about how the United States Supreme Court has ruled on a variety of issues important to religious liberty and the separation of church and state. Cases which are summarized and explained include those dealing with school prayer, religion in the workplace, and government support of religion.

Religious Freedom Report: International Index
Government reports on the status of religious freedom for countries all over the world. Learn more about where repression and where tolerance can be found - and why.

Posted by: susan_b at October 21, 2004 4:14 PM

Well 24 hours on and none of my several emails to the ACLU have been returned. What a surprise. Now I wonder how quickly there would get back to me if I told them that my son had been forced to hold a Bible and recite the Ten Commandments in school.

Posted by: Son Of Albion at October 21, 2004 5:10 PM

Correspondence between myself and a Fairfax County Public Schools administrator:

Dear Sir,

No punches being pulled here.

Ever hear of the "novel" concept of the separation of church and state?
Why the pass for the Islamic agenda?

I guess you have never heard of the term, "dhimmi", either? Ever read
the Qu'ran, Ahadith or the Sunnah?

Get with the program and yank this "politically correct" nonsense from
our public school system. The taxpayer pays your wage and the
constitution directs our way of life.

Or do you prefer Sharia and mullah dictats?

Good day!

Sincerely

-------------------------------------------------

FCPS response:

Thank you for your message. Despite what you may have seen posted on the Internet, the following is an outline of what is taught in FCPS on this
subject.

We do teach about religion as part of the curriculum. It is typically handled in an historical context. For instance, in grade 5, we teach a world cultures course. We teach foundational information about the three main religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and set them in a historical context.

Teaching about religion is also an integral component of the two year World History and Geography courses at the 9th and 10th grade. We cover the three main religions in greater depth and add Hinduisum, Buddhism,Confucianism, and Taoism. We discuss the origins, beliefs, traditions, customs, and influences of the religions. We also discuss such topics as: influence of trade, achievements, conflict, exchange of ideas, geographic locations, and impact on both the historical and contemporary
worlds.

In other grades, teaching about religion is not as integral to the context of the course. But how can you leave out a discussion of the
Puritans and their religious beliefs when you teach about the establishment of the colonies?

In primary grades, teachers have tudents/parents share customs and beliefs of diverse families and communities. Religious celebrations are
certainly a part of that discussion. We want teachers to use outside resources and present a wide variety of information. If they have a
speaker on Ramadan, so that children understand the holiday celebrated by some of their peers, we also want them to invite speakers to talk
about other family celebrations and customs. When students have knowledge, they have the basis for understanding and respecting the
views and beliefs of others.

-------------------------------------------------

My rebuttal:

Ms. Kurtz,

Thank you for your reply.

Teaching our children about religions and their role in history is one thing, but reciting the prayers or creeds of those expounding that
religion is quite another.

"Role playing" or taking on an Islamic name doesn't appear to me to be a sound teaching tool, but rather a blatant form of indoctrination. The mind of a child is malleable as you already know. What is the purpose of hammering into a child's head the Shahada, for example, other than to
serve the agenda of a proseltizer?

Has the void of our expurgation of references to the Judeo-Christian god now been filled by Muhammad's Allah?

For a person to teach a child or any other about a topic, that person would have to know something of that topic, wouldn't you agree? It
would be prudent if the superintendents, administrators and ultimately, the teacher would learn the reality of Muhammad's life and his legacy prior to employing a "multicultural trainer" to lay down the white wash
of that life and legacy.

Sincerely

-------------------------------------------------

FCPS response:

I have no information (other than unsubstantiated postings on web sites that have also apparently made their way into some print publications) to suggest that any of these things are going on in any of our schools.
I provided you with the relevant sections of our actual curriculum that touch on the areas of concern addressed in your message. You now know
what is ACTUALLY taught in our schools.

-------------------------------------------------

And that's all, Folks!

Posted by: Moe's Foe at October 21, 2004 5:31 PM

Son Of Albion

I haven't received a response to my email to the ACLU either. It appears that the "liberties" they claim to protect are arbitrary.

Posted by: Moe's Foe at October 21, 2004 5:44 PM

Thank's to all who listed addresses in the above.
Copy of email to O'Reilly below, and working on letters to the rest. Will post any reply, if any!
Still nothing from ACLU. Big surprise!
To: mikeoreilly@herndon-va.gov
Dear Mr. O'Reilly:
I would like to express my concern regarding a feature in the K. C. Star, dated
10/09/04 regarding the teaching of Ramadan in the public schools.

The following is a quote from the newspaper article:

"During the next few weeks, multicultural trainer Afeefa Syeed will bring third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students from a Muslim academy in Herndon, Va., to nearby public schools to share the practices and beliefs of their holiest month, Ramadan. Syeed and the children will present the call to prayer in Arabic, display prayer rugs and offer tastes of dates. In countless other classrooms across the country, similar efforts will be made to educate students about the time of fasting and spiritual reflection for adherents of the world's second-largest religion."

It alarms me to see a call in Arabic in the classroom as there are many of other faiths that would consider it unlawful to do so. Islam as a culture could not be taught without it's history of bloodshed and captivity of other nations. The very fact that no Muslim school would permit infidels to enter their grounds for a teaching of another religion should alarm the parents of non-Muslim children attending such a 'cultural' display in our public schools.

I am quite sure that Afeefa Syeed would never permit a Rabbi or Catholic priest in the Muslim Academy for a like presentation to their students of Islam. Islam is not at all tolerant of any other faith and it is this very intolerance that has led the Muslim population to keep silent regarding the jihad on Jews and Christians.

The education of our public school students regarding 'spiritual reflection' is clearly religious in nature, and not cultural. Islam is a religion. It's teachings belong within the confines of private Muslim schools, and not in the public schools of America. Just the mention of the name of the god of Islam is a great affront to many others of different faiths.

I would ask that you reconsider this unwise move by the public schools of your area. It is a violation of many other faiths, as well as a violation of the separation of church and state.

Also, please be advised that much of the teaching materials supplied to teachers throughout the USA come through the CAIR organization. Much of the organization has come under investigation in the past, with several of the members now in prison for their connections to terrorist organizations. Materials and teaching booklets from this organization would be suspect at best. Is this really what we need in our American school systems at this time?

Thank you for your consideration.

Posted by: vashti at October 21, 2004 9:59 PM

Apparently, Tulsa OK is also in for a rough ride, see article link:

Islam's recruitment in America's schools rages on

http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/shroder/041020
Jen Shroder; October 20, 2004

Watchful parents in Tulsa, Oklahoma were successful in circumventing another Islamic campaign attempting to recruit their children in public school. Local residents reported that Michael DelGiorno, radio host of KFAQ(AM 1170) courageously led the charge:

"Allah is not the God of this nation, but this is exactly the agenda of Islam: to change our government from within, through politics and through tolerance and inclusion — alter our culture. But make no mistake about it, their goal is not to be one of many gods and one of many religions, it's to be THE god and THE religion of the entire earth."

The controversy began when the Middle East Policy Council (MEPC) started pitching the "Arab World Studies Notebook" curriculum to Tulsa school officials, according to parents. One parent said, "When [radio host] DelGiorno read from the first lesson today, I nearly dropped my coffee."

William J. Bennetta, President of The Textbook League, gives a description of tactics used in the notebook similar to the ones battled over in California's curriculum. He said the notebook is not aimed at most teachers, but "aimed at that sorry subpopulation of teachers who, for want of education or want of intelligence, will believe almost anything and will question nothing. It is aimed at teachers who never have absorbed the concepts of evidence and reason, who know nothing of historiography, and who can be treated as dupes."

The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation appears to agree. In a study titled "The Stealth Curriculum: Manipulating America's History Teachers," they conclude their review of the "Arab World Notebook":

"One can only wonder if this has ever been questioned by the teachers who use its materials, or if they feel they must agree to any claim made by Muslims as an 'alternative perspective' or risk being labeled insensitive, Eurocentric, or racist."

Sandra Stotsky, former senior associate commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Education, described the "Arab World Studies Notebook" as "propaganda."

Controversy erupted over the 540-page book with claims that Muslim explorers preceded Christopher Columbus to North America, married into the Algonquin tribe, resulting in the births of tribal Chief Abdul-Rahim and Chief Abdallah Ibn Malik.

Director of the Algonquin Nation Secretariat, Peter DiGangi, called the book "preposterous" and "outlandish," saying nothing in the tribe's written or oral history support the claims.

DiGangi said the guide's author, Audrey Shabbas, and MEPC were unresponsive to his objections for six months until Shabbas said "the passage was removed immediately from subsequent copies," and that she was "giving careful and thoughtful attention" on how to notify the 1,200 teachers who have been given copies of the book in the past five years.

"There was no [scholarly] peer review," said Mr. DiGangi, who says he was never contacted after lodging his complaint. "It was so outlandish. It never should have gone to press."

When confronted by Campus-Watch, Shabbas gracefully wrote, "I bow to the knowledge of the Algonquin Nation about their own history," but posted on al-Jazeerah's website, Shabbas "questions the motives of those who censured the offending paragraph." She said, "The Arab World Studies Notebook is exactly what its meant to be, and no apologies need to be made for it." She also said, "What's interesting is the motive of the folks that brought this to the attention of the Algonquin Indians."

Bennetta toured the MEPC website and found more inconsistencies that roused his suspicions. The website said that the notebook is a "work so highly regarded that educators in California were permitted to purchase it with state funding."

Bennetta contacted Suzanne C. Rios, California DOE Administrator. Rios said her office has no record of any approval and called the MEPC's executive director on September 22, told him that the claim in question was false advertising, and told him that they "wanted it taken off IMMEDIATELY!" However as of October 7, the advertising remains.

Chester E. Finn Jr., Fordham Foundation president said, "We know staggeringly little about how good these materials and workshops are."

Shabbas defends the notebook with words too often bandied by liberals:

"We are first of all educators committed to multiculturalism ... that is allowing people to speak for themselves and making our classrooms a safe place where all voices can be nurtured and heard."

But watchful parents in Tulsa were not buying what Shabbas was "trying to nurture" in the hearts and minds of their children. They quickly mobilized and voiced their objections to the superintendent. At least one parent had contacted the Pacific Justice Institute, a Christian legal organization. However legal procedures were not necessary. After an onslaught of emails and phone calls about the curriculum, the superintendent announced the school district had no intention of incorporating any new books concerning Arab World Studies.

Congratulations to the vigilant parents in Tulsa. Would that all Americans would seek to protect their children as you have. In the words of Michael DelGiorno,

"Christians you better start speaking up, and standing up for what's right, it's all ready too late in Michigan? How much longer before it's too late right here at home?"

Sources:

http://www.1170kfaq.com/delgiorno.html

http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20040416-120208-4455r

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/1136

http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/.../

Jen Shroder is founder of BlessedCause, an organization dedicated to restoring sanity to our public schools and exposing the Islamic indoctrination of American textbooks. Shroder has been interviewed by Fox News, Associated Press, and dozens of talk radio hosts and news media.

BlessedCause was publicly named by the California Democrats as "behind the recall," and shortly thereafter a plot to frame BlessedCause was discovered and exposed before fruition.

There is evidence that BlessedCause has made political impacts in the John Walker Lindh case. BlessedCause has been covertly linked to by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nation's nuclear watchdog, raising questions about the Clinton administration and our public school affinity to Islam.

Jen Shroder began BlessedCause as a mere mom outraged by the homework assignments and textbooks her children brought home from public school, and claims God's leading as the only explanation for the success of her website, BlessedCause.org.

She can be contacted at blessedcause@charter.net.

© Copyright 2004 by Jen Shroder
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/shroder/041020

Posted by: justamomof4 at October 21, 2004 10:09 PM

This is amazing what is going on in the world - one should be checking his/her kid's textbooks to make sure that no political organization or a religious group got in them their new creative idea on who discovered America. It is very important for the officials and for the parents to keep a very close eye on what is being taught about religion in public schools. But on the part of those schools in might not be a surprising reaction to either deny what is actually going on there or to ignore the stream of letters and e-mails protesting these methods of teaching about religion. It would interesting to know what the parents of the kids who go to Herndon public schools have to say about it (and I mean, non-Muslims). It is hard to get a clear picture of what exactly the situation there is when one article desribes the protest staged by the people and another article is named "Fascination with Islam" (such heading calls for doubts... Though there is a group of people in America which is totally fascinated... to the point it sees nothing else). Wish there were posts by people who have the actual knowledge..

Posted by: Sherlock at October 21, 2004 10:44 PM

I sent a copy of this story to both Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity at FoxNews. If anyone else would be so kind, please send this story to them as well.

Posted by: DCWatson at October 22, 2004 12:07 PM

First Muslims made the bullshit claim that they had a stowaway....or navigator on one of Christopher Columbus' ships......That was dismissed as a lie, because it is.

Now they claim that they discivered America before Columbus did, and married into the Indian tribes. Muslims should stop theit bullshitting. They are the most dishonest cult on earth, and should realize that in 2004 they still have an illiteracy rate of over 60 %. How in the hell could they have wiped their own asses back then, let alone discovered new lands.

Muslims should stop trying to rewrite history, for we will slam their facesin the dirt everytime. What a horde of lying shits.

Posted by: DCWatson at October 22, 2004 12:45 PM

Sorry for the lousy spelling....

Posted by: DCWatson at October 22, 2004 12:47 PM

I called the school's cluster director, the story is not true.

Posted by: newshound at October 23, 2004 11:37 AM

re: newshound

Since you have discovered that there is a contradiction between the Herndon, VA school administrators and the author of the article in the KansasCity.com article, I have decided to ask for clarification from the reporter/author of that article. My letter is copied below.

The author's e-address was located online on her webpage. Her e-address is for anyone else that may be interested in asking for clarification.

As for my previous letters sent to VA school administrators, politicians, media centers, houses of worship, etc. - I have received two responses. One was an automatically generated acknowledgement of receipt from the ACLU. The second response was a request for clarification of my identity as I used two e-mail accounts, one with my maiden name and one with my married name.

If anyone happens to recieve a response to their letters, I would be very interested in reading about it.

Thanks to all -
justamomof4

copy of e-letter to reporter/author follows -

Dear Holly,

I have a concern I would like to address with you regarding a recent article of yours, posted online, in the

Kansas City Star
via KansasCity.com.

The article was titled:

"Teaching Ramadan in Public Schools; Accurate Lessons in demand after 9/11;

by Holly Lebowitz Rossi;

Religion News Service."

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/living/9870348.htm?1c

This particular article has gained national attention and recently led to a letter writing campaign to address concerns with Herndon, VA school administrators - as well as - with State and National political offices.

Today, I was informed of the following:

One concerned individual wrote "I called (the) Herndon (VA) schools about that article, the man in charge of the elementary schools told me it was not true, they would not be discussing Islam and no one from an Islamic school would be visiting the children."

This statement directly contradicts the content of your article. Since this article has generated a great deal of public interest, I am curious to hear your comments regarding this contradiction.

Rather than issue additional letters regarding my concerns to various relevant parties, I have decided to wait for clarification from you.

Your timely response is greatly anticipated and most appreciated.

Most sincerely,

A concerned mother of 4

Posted by: justamomof4 at October 23, 2004 6:16 PM

The claims most of you make are entirely ludicrous and bigoted. The purpose of these measures is to educate students about the muslim culture, as there is a great deal of ignorance about it. You people are perfect examples of this unfortunate truth. Children need to be educated about different cultures to minimize needless conflict in the future. These are basic principles that cannot be logically refuted. Your ignorance greatly saddens me, but motivates me as an intelligent young man to strive to change the world for the better.

Posted by: smartperson at October 24, 2004 11:28 PM

Update:

I received a response from Holly Lebowitz Rossi, the author of the KansasCitystar piece about Ramadan in Herndon VA schools.

Quote: "In response to your concern, I can tell you that at the time I reported and wrote my article, multicultural trainer Afeefa Syeed was planning to go to area public elementary schools,

as she did twice last year at the schools' invitations.

But my understanding is that as of yet, those plans have not materialized this year, though Syeed is scheduled to make presentations at some private schools in the Herndon area.

I hope this clarifies things and alleviates your concerns.

Best,
Holly Lebowitz Rossi
Religion News Service " End Quote

_____________________
Kindly note: I intentionally separated the text to point out the following point in Ms. Rossi's response:

". . .as she did twice last year at the school's invitations."

Posted by: justamomof4 at October 25, 2004 4:57 PM

DCWatson, not only can you not spell, more importantly, you can not think. Your ignorance is truly appalling. Your arguments, if they can even be considered arguments, are laughably incoherent and false. What does it matter if Muslims did not discover America, neither did Christopher Columbus, although I'm sure you already knew that. Also, their illiteracy rate is entirely irrelevant, and I don't think you of all people should criticize this, as your literacy is sorely lacking. Your very ignorance about the muslim culture is the reason why children need to be informed, so as to avoid such needless conflict as the War in Iraq. The "president" took advantage of the fear and ignorance prevalent in society to decieve the country into waging a needless war. And they're the liars??? Think about it DCWatson, your bigoted thoughts are flawed. I weep for your abysmal existence.

Posted by: smartperson at October 27, 2004 7:14 PM

Dearest Sherlock,
Your false tone of superiority fools no one. I agree that students' text books should be screened, but rather for the ridiculous American propaganda that saturates them. I highly recommend Howard Zinn's "A People's HIstory of the US" as an alternative the lies prevalent in US history textbooks today. Christopher Columbus did not discover America. I'm sorry. America's founders were often acting in their self-interest to maintain their wealth. Thomas Jefferson was a large slave-owner. I'm sure you already knew this though.
I also share your concern with the separation of church and state. Learning about other religions, however, in no way infringes upon this. You should be more concerned about such matters as eliminating "under god" from the pledge of allegiance, as this does violate the separation of Church and state.
Forget about what people have trained you to say for a moment, and think about it. Dont stop thinking until you agree with me, at which point you'll know you're right.

Posted by: smartperson at October 27, 2004 7:25 PM

Dearest ReligionOfPeaceMyArse,
Please inform yourself about the muslim culture and religion before ever opening your mouth again on the matter. Your ignorance only goes to show why these measures are beneficial. It's quite amusing how you ARE the argument for these educational programs, and you don't even know it. If only your brain was capable of higher thought, you would realize this.
Cheers

Posted by: smartperson at October 27, 2004 7:30 PM

Dearest Rikki,
Do humanity a favor and educate yourself. I strongly suggest that you enroll in this school and sit in on a few of these sessions, you could use all the help you could get. Really.

Posted by: smartperson at October 27, 2004 7:37 PM

Dearest Voltaire,
The irony of your chosen name is amusing. Your cognitive skills, and lack thereof, are severely impaired. It appears as if evolution left you behind. I suggest that you educate yourself about patriotism by reading the constitution, about islam by attending this school. Then apologize for wasting my oxygen.

Posted by: smartperson at October 27, 2004 7:51 PM

It's funny how you all consider yourself such wonderful patriots in being bigots. What ever happened to "all men all created equal"? Your patriotism is seriously lacking. You are mediocre racists at best. You disgrace the principles you claim to uphold. Well done.

Posted by: smartperson at October 27, 2004 7:57 PM