Once again non-Muslims change their customs and practices to accommodate Muslims. When in Muslim countries, non-Muslims must adapt to Islamic mores. When in non-Muslim countries, non-Muslims must adapt to Islamic mores.
“Dedicated prayer rooms may be part of new approach by province’s schools,” by Liz Monteiro for The Record, January 29 (thanks to Laurie):
WATERLOO REGION — Walk through the wooden door into the secluded, carpeted room with holy books and prayer mats, and it’s hard to believe you’re in a school.
But this is the beginning of a new phase for public and Catholic schools where prayer rooms could become commonplace.
Under a provincewide policy, school boards must be more inclusive and accommodate different faiths during the school day.
This could mean a private place for Muslim students who pray five times a day and for students who are fasting, a modified gym class and a separate room for them so they don’t have to watch their peers eat lunch.
Atieh Noori, a 27-year-old Muslim student at St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centre in downtown Kitchener, uses the prayer room each day at lunchtime to say her midday prayers.
After school, Noori doesn’t have time for prayer so she appreciates the space.
“It’s quiet and there is light and no one comes here to bother me,” said the Afghan-born Noori, who came to Canada in 2007 via Iran.
At St. Louis, the prayer room was set up about eight years ago to accommodate many of the English-as-a-second-language students who attend the school.
The newly adopted faith and accommodation policy states that each student has a right to follow his or her beliefs free from discrimination or harassment. Areas of reasonable accommodation include observance of major religious holy days and celebrations, prayers and rituals, dietary requirements and fasting, religious attire and participation in school curriculum and extracurricular activities.
“Someone’s faith is part of who they are. Accommodating them brings understanding and shows we respect them,” said public school trustee Cindy Watson….