I don’t actually have any problem with Muslims or anyone else taking time out of the school day for prayer. There is certainly enough nonsense and wasted time in the average public school day to justify any amount of time away, as far as I’m concerned. What concerns me here is that I seem to remember a string of controversies a few years back in which Christian students were barred from praying or even holding private Bible study groups at public schools. Perhaps someone can fill in the details on that, but in short, I trust that this decision will also be extended to allow people of other faiths also to leave classes for prayer. From UPI, with thanks to Susan:
Atlanta, GA, Oct. 28 (UPI) — Muslim students in Georgia’s largest school district would be excused for Friday prayer under an agreement between Muslim leaders and school officials.
A tentative compromise was reached in a 90-minute meeting Wednesday in which district officials proposed three options that Muslim leaders plan to circulate at five Gwinnett County mosques this weekend, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday. They expect to choose one by next week.
Three years ago the school wouldn’t allow Khalid Rashied’s eldest son out of last period to go to prayers required of Muslims on Friday afternoon.
With the help of the Council on American-Islamic relations this year, Rashied renewed his request and, after going to Wednesday’s meeting, is confident a solution would be reached by Monday.