California now, who is next?

Old Dan is right.

Islamizing our Schools
by Hans Zeiger
Sierra Times
December 3, 2003
http://sierratimes.com/03/12/03/ar_hanszieger.htm

At Royal Oak Intermediate School in Covina, California, students in Len Cesene's seventh grade history class fasted last week to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Mr. Cesene's 12 and 13-year old students are the latest to become part of a growing Islamic indoctrination sweeping through America's schools.

Mr. Cesene's letter to parents explained that, "in an attempt to promote a greater understanding and empathy towards the Muslim religion and toward other culture, I am encouraging students to participate in an extra credit assignment. Students may choose to fast for one, two or three days. During this time, students may only drink water during daylight hours."

Outraged by the assignment of religious fasting in a public school, the American Middle-East Christian Association (AMECA) exercised its First Amendment right to organize a protest outside of Royal Oak Intermediate School. In a press release, AMECA spokesman Steve Klein emphasized that no Islamic country in the world has the right of free speech.

But when it comes to religious expression in the public square, there is an evident double standard. As Klein noted, "America's Christian children had better not even utter the name Jesus Christ in public schools without persecution and prosecution by the 'separation of church and state' zealots."

Christian author and radio talk show host Bob Morey organized several hundred people to participate in the protest. "What would Muslim parents feel if their students came home with a letter from their public school teacher [saying] that next Thursday they're bringing in a priest to baptize all the Muslim children?" Morey asked in the Los Angeles Times.

In the months after September 11, Islamic education became a popular trend in schools. But today, in many classrooms, students are not merely being taught about Islam; they are required to become practicing Muslims for days and even weeks.

In many California schools, middle school students are required to take a three-week course in which students adopt a Muslim name, wear a robe, learn the fundamental tenets of Islam, and stage their own Jihad. According to ASSIST News Service, students must learn to pray "in the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful," and they must chant, "Praise to Allah, Lord of Creation." For nearly a month, young and vulnerable minds are saturated with a curriculum of Arabic phrases, Koran verses, and proverbs.

Students cannot say "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, but they can shout prayers and praises to Allah. The name of Jesus in a public school - spoken reverently - is thought of with greater disdain by politically correct educators than is the name of Jesus taken in vain. But the name and life of Mohammed is thoroughly drilled into students' minds. And teachers are being trained to teach - and preach - Islam.

For the past two years in Connecticut, public school teachers have attended the Teachers' Institute on Middle Eastern Studies, a weeklong conference about Islamic religious beliefs and culture sponsored in part by the U.S. Department of Education. Two members of Congress from Connecticut deplored the irresponsible use of federal funds for the conference. The Middle East Forum calls the institute "one-sided and extremist" and notes one seminar that focuses on "Israel's state-sponsored terrorism." A professor at Central Connecticut State University calls the presentation "more inflammatory than informative."

Since September 11, the National Education Association has drenched teachers with a flow of pro-Islamic propaganda. The NEA website includes recommendations that schools and teachers "invite speakers and show videos on the Arab world and Islam." In 2002, the NEA released a curriculum guide called "Tolerance in Times of Trial," encouraging teachers to deliberately disassociate Islam with terrorism.

America is not an Islamic nation, nor should it be. None of the world's Islamic countries are particularly free or prosperous, and America is.

That doesn't mean that schools should avoid the subject of Islam. It should be an important part of classes in world history. But Ramadan fasts, robes, prayers to Allah, and radical conferences for teachers are dangerously unjust.

Our public schools have assaulted the Christian faith time and again, and the present hyper-glorification of Islam only exacerbates the confusion to which young students are now subjected. We must decide, with finality, whether we will be a people reflective of our Christian heritage in ordered liberty, or whether we will deepen our wounds already inflicted by the poisonous doctrines of multiculturalism and moral relativism.

While America decides, parents must be vigilant. They must beware of the radical Islamization of their children's schools.

 

From a muslim website on how to get into our schools.
Noticed the newspaper angle.

Dawa in public schools

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{Author}

Definition of Dawa
Dawa means to invite a non-Muslim to accept the truth of Islam. Performing Dawa involves both our words and actions.
Importance of Dawa in Islam
The Quran and the Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) give numerous references about the importance and obligation of Dawa. The Prophet's mission was to spread the message of Islam, and is likewise reflected in the lives of the Sahabas (the Prophet's Companions). Now the responsibility of spreading the message of Islam rests on our shoulders.

* "Invite all to the way of your Lord with Wisdom and beautiful Preaching" (Quran 16:125)
* "you are made witnesses unto mankind" (Quran 2:143)
* "Let there arise a group inviting to all that is good" (Quran 3:104)

Below, you will find some practical ways Muslim students as individuals and as a group can do Dawa in public schools.

School Students are receptive to new ideas
It is important to remember that in the classroom, students are routinely exposed to new information and opinions. That means they tend to be more receptive to new beliefs and ideas. Schools are therefore fertile grounds where the seeds of Islam can be sowed inside the hearts of non-Muslim students. Muslim students should take ample advantage of this opportunity and expose their fellow students to the beautiful beliefs of Islam.

Getting Started
First and foremost, Muslim students should establish themselves into a Muslim group (i.e. a Muslim Students Association, Islamic Circle, Quran Study Group etc.) if they haven't already done so. Organized efforts give better results and contain Allah's blessings. The main goal of this group should be to help students develop into dynamic Muslim personalities and to portray Islam to their non-Muslim peers and schools staff in a positive way through words and actions.

Personal Contact
It has been proven that one-on-one contact with non-Muslim students in the classroom is the most effective way to share Islam. Personal contact tends to be more informal and elicits curiosity and questions from non-Muslims. It is advised that brothers share Islam in this way with non-Muslim boys and sisters with non-Muslim girls.

Inviting Questions
Muslims can create opportunities for non-Muslims to ask them questions by performing simple actions. For instance, they can say "insha Allah" (if God wills it) when talking about a future activity; saying that they are going to prayer during Salaat time; not eating during fasting, brothers wearing a Kufi (a type of cap), sisters wearing Hijab; not using swear words during conversation; not lying, wearing modest clothes etc.

Questions from peers should be dealt with in a very concise and eloquent manner. This would require some basic knowledge on the part of Muslim students.

Be Prepared to Explain
Some of the topics that all Muslims should be able to explain are:

* The concept of Tawhid (oneness of God)
* How Prophet Muhammad (s) is a real Prophet
* News reports about violence by Muslims
* Polygamy in Islam
* Reasons for wearing Hijab
· Reasons for praying five times a day
* The Quran and science

All students can increase their knowledge of these topics through their study circle, by checking with a reliable scholar, by reading articles in Islamic magazines, videos, lectures and through the experiences of other students.

Dawa through the school newspaper
The school newspaper is another effective way of doing Dawa in public school. Muslim students are highly encouraged to become writers and editors of these publications. Muslim students can advise the writing staff to consult them before publishing articles on Islam and Muslims. Being a writer will give a student ample opportunity to publish Islamically-oriented articles which will insha Allah, open the hearts and minds of readers.

As a group, Muslim students should try to contribute an article on Islam in each issue of the school paper. The school may not allow you to preach in the newspaper, but there are way to circumvent this problem. When your Islamic group holds any Islamic event like lectures, religious/ cultural events etc, submit an article about this event as a news article. Thus you are still exposing an aspect of Islam without coming forth as a preacher.

Another way to get around this problem is to write articles about Islamic holidays (i.e. the two Eids) and again submit them as news articles. It also helps to have a good rapport with the editor and the writing staff of the paper. Invite them to your Iftar parties, gatherings, lectures etc. Your group can also issue statements that are related to current events (i.e. the Muslim perspective on terrorism in light of events like the September 11, 2001 attacks).

Relief booths to help disaster victims
When a disaster like a flood or a humanitarian crisis hits, Muslim students should be the first ones to respond by setting up a disaster relief assistance booth which collects money, canned food, clothes etc. for those in need. This gives a very positive picture of Islam and Muslims as servers of humanity, compared to the negative images of Islam portrayed by most of the media.

Include Islamic holidays in the school calendar
Many school events and exams are scheduled around the Jewish and Christian holidays. Muslims students should approach the school authorities as a group and ask that Islamic dates be included in school diaries and be considered during the scheduling of important school events. Many diaries for students and adults today include Ramadan and the two Eids. Muslim students can use these as examples to show your school's administration.

Islamic books in school libraries
Muslim students should encourage the school libraries to include on their shelves books and magazines on Islam written by Muslims. They should also provide the librarian a list of recommended books on Islam. If the library is unwilling to purchase this material themselves, the students should raise funds in the Muslim community to cover the costs of providing these books and magazines.

Scanning textbooks for misinformation on Islam
Students of all grades and their parents should constantly scan school textbooks to check for any biased material on Islam. If any is found, it should be brought to the attention of teachers and school authorities, who should be given the correct information about Islam with evidence. In addition, teachers should correct the misinformation in the textbooks while discussing the material in class.

Starting an Islamic newsletter
A newsletter on Islam and Muslims can be started by the Muslim students, if the school allows it. This can be funded mostly by advertisements and donations. This newsletter will also help dispel false information about Islam and show Muslims as being organized and proactive.

Incorporating Islam into class projects
Some aspects of Islam can be incorporated into school projects. For example, if students are required to give a speech in class and they can choose any topic, an Islamic subject should be selected. Similar opportunities can be created in history, social science, writing and other classes.

Remember, Muslim creativity, Iman (faith) and of course the help of Allah constantly won victories for the Muslims, and schools and campuses aren't any exception to this.

Other miscellaneous activities
* Setting up Dawa tables with Islamic literature
* Hosting Islamic exhibitions
* Placing advertisements in the school paper with the toll free telephone number for non-Muslims 1-800-662-Islam

It is highly recommended that all Muslim students should carry Dawa flyers in their schools bags and purses to pass them on to their friends at school. To obtain free Islam brochures for distribution, contact Islamic Circle of North America at 718-658-1199.

The bottom line

Public schools are an ideal arena for Dawa. With an open-minded mindset that is prevalent among students and most teachers, as well as the fact that the next generation's attitudes towards various ideas and concepts are developed in school, Dawa in public schools is a necessity.

 

If you know the correct spelling and make a reference to it then I think you know all about it.

 

Not really, I didn't catch the gist of it.

I'm also not trying to incite debate on this, I'm actually asking the question because I don't know.

 

Everybody needs a groupie. How's the polyp count goin' Andy?

 

Andy, I have some problems with visualizing this article as detrimental, though you've attempted to portray it as such for the following reasons:

The phrase "students may CHOOSE" implies to me that this is not something assigned, and therefore not endorsed by the school system. Therefore, I can't see it as a violation of the "separation of church and state" clause. Additionally, since this is merely extra credit, it does no harm to those who do not wish to partake of it.

All children in public schools have always been allowed to pray, utter the name of Jesus Christ, Allah, Buddha, Confuscious, or Zeus with no consequences. Schools are also allowed to start Christian-based or other religious based clubs at the request of the students attending that school. It is not an endorsement of the school when this happens and therefore does not violate church and state. The students are sponsoring and running the clubs, not the institution. My own high school had a Bible Study club every day at lunch, and those who wished to attend did so at no persistance by the school or any faculty. Students were allowed to promote the club in the manner a non-religious club would be promoted and everything was dandy.

This isn't quite the same thing. The students in question in this article are being given the choice of whether or not to practice one aspect of a certain religion on their own time, with no monitoring or involvement by the schools or faculty members about whether they actually do it or not. This Mr. Morey is suggesting that the school would actively involve a religious person to compel all students to undertake a religious activity (in this case, baptism). These are different circumstances and different activities.

Nobody is saturating anyones minds in school any more than outside of it. Considering that Islam is the largest religion in the world, the people making the decision to have a course in it probably just think that it would be nice for students to not be sheltered into one culture, one religion, or one way of thinking. I see this as akin to studying Egyptian gods and goddesses or Greek and Roman gods and goddesses in schools. Since students are required to learn about these divine beings (as some people still believe), shouldn't we fear them being brainwashed into believing them to be the true gods? In the light of the September 11th attacks and all of the following intolerance toward people of Islamic faith, I can empathize with the logic behind such a course in schools.

Students CAN TOO say the "under God" portion of the Pledge.... and they do daily. I don't know where this person is getting facts from but I know that my siblings who are still in the grade school system say it regularly every week or every day. Also, none of my teachers has been preaching or teaching Islam to any of the classes I attend or have attended. This article's author is seriously flawed in this point.

Well, IN MY OPINION, I agree again with the logic behind this. In my experience with the topic, I have NOT found Islam to be as deplorable as the author of this article and many other people have deemed it to be. I can understand that the NEA would want to begin educating people about these other cultures in order to promote tolerance among the future leaders of America. And I fully support the idea that Islam should be disassociated with Terrorism, because despite the media's inflammatory take on the subject and the several examples to the contrary, they ARE NOT one and the same.

Now we're equating monetary wealth and freedom to countries that can or should practice religions. Logically, according to this argument, since Paraguay is not at wealthy or free as Canada, they should be more Islamic in nature. This argument is illogical and flawed.

I will agree that mandatory fasting, praying, and attendance at "radical" conferences is, or at least could be construed as, unjust and perhaps unconstitutional, but I have not been persuaded by this article that such unconstitutional or unjust behavior has occurred.

So now he is saying that if I'm not a Christian, then I don't get to have liberty, freedoms, or rights? That's pretty lofty of him, eh?

So now he's saying that the understanding of other cultures (even understanding one's enemies such as terrorists, because terrorists have a culture) and being morally sound are BAD THINGS?

I'm sorry, but this article just is too flawed and doesn't really do anything to change my mind on the subject. Present me with an argument that isn't so biased or, better yet, take me to one of these "poisonous" schools and show me how their polluting people's minds, and I will be much more inclined to agree with the argument posed.

~AJ

 

Originally Posted by Andy
If you know the correct spelling and make a reference to it then I think you know all about it.

"Not really, I didn't catch the gist of it.

I'm also not trying to incite debate on this, I'm actually asking the question because I don't know." ajm229


Sorry then for that would make my statement rude and therefore the sorry.

The standard definition as I know it is The money that oil exporters receive from selling oil and then deposit into Western banks. For example if Libya were to receive money from the U.S. for oil and then put the money into a U.S. bank, that deposited money is referred to as petrodollars.

The idea is then that those dollars would be invested into Treasury Bills, Notes, CD's,
as well as front loans. So basically, a western nation's economy if overextended can be subject to financial ruin it those mega billions are suddenly pulled out instead of rolled over. Henceforth the oil producing nations have a controlling option over anyone who takes out loans from the perto dollars which is basically what a T-bill is or a corporation bond. I see the perto dollar as being even more extended with my definition being broad enough to include all of the shares of stocks that are brought on the various exchanges that in effect give power of these media, book companys, Hollywood Studios, etc to foreign nations that do not have our best interests at heart and who would use it to undermine us, pull us into a lull, divide us, etc.

Note: when was the last time Hollywood made a movie where the terrorist were from the middle east. Seems to me for the longest time now the so called terrorists against america have been White neo-nazis, unhappy east germans, unhappy ex-soviet russians, the IRA, you know white guys with blond hair and blue eyes. Major stock holders dictate who the studio heads are, studio heads dictate what movies go into production. Indirect power.

 

"Everybody needs a groupie. How's the polyp count goin' Andy?" Moanin

I don't know buddy, I'm not into guys and that part of the body never interest me but you have made a comment once before pertaining to the males exit point, noticed I stated exit and not entrance. You really got me worried now

 

No problem - this thread gets a bit heated sometimes and it's tough to cool off!

Got it.... thanks for the definition!

Well, you could be right, because I don't know much about Hollywood decision making, but I can also see how it could be simply a fear of the general public against seeing the bad guys be Middle-Easterners (or, "Arabic-looking", as the stereotype would go). I see it as sort of like the movies that were shot in New York right before 9/11 which were then postponed to take out the Twin Towers from the backgrounds. The rationale was that it would incite panic and fear among the public with such a bold reminder of the attacks. Similarly, I could see how some people would view Arabic bad guys in the same light, and then wouldn't go to a movie with those characters.

Besides, it's just easier to make movies where Nazis or KGB Russians or whatnots are the bad guys because that issue has mostly been resolved: Russia collapsed after the Cold War, the Nazis no longer are in power, etc. Therefore, it can only evoke historical references and emotions as to that effect, whereas terrorism plots involving airliners and Middle-Eastern men would leave people coming out of the movie scared that another 9/11 was going to happen that evening.

Either or, that's just my take on that little side-bar issue.... thanks for clearing up that definition!

~AJ

 

ajam229.

What is your take on the Sunni's and Shia bloody hatred of each other. It has been around as long as these two branches of Islam have existed.

 

What's my take on Sunnis hating Shiites? They hate each other.

What, specifically, would you like my opinion on?

 

I was just wondering where you stood in general.

The way I look at it is if two major groups of islam are still ready to kill each other over who the successor to Muhammad was, Abu Bakr or Ali ibn Abi Talib and a few other points after all of these years then how can a non-muslim hope to be able to live free and equal or just live with this mind set.

 

I am sorry - I don't understand your point. How can a non-Muslim (like myself, I presume) hope to live free and equal with what mindset? That Sunnis are at war with Shiites? Or that someone is debating who the successor to Mohammad is?

The way I see it, that's a religious conflict within one religion. I don't believe in that particular faith, and so I don't have an opinion one way or the other as to which side is right. Therefore, I can leave it to the scholars of Muslim texts to determine who succeeded Mohammad.

 

You may be barking up the wrong tree Andy. I'm sure that ajam can explain the cause of this hatred, but why not ask the head Sunni on this forum, MuhaMoen. I''m sure he has some very bright words on the subject.

 

Actually, I wasn't really sure what Andy was asking me....

 

I kind of hoped that you'd get it on your own but since you seem to have taken it the wrong way, let me clarify.
It means that you kiss the olds one's backside so much that you already have a pretty good view of any possible "physical" abnormalities, shall we say. That is about as nice as I can put it.

 

Moen, I actually like you from a distance but I always had the understanding that polylops were in the inside of the backside area and since you referenced kissing that area, I still like you but I will keep my distance if you know what I mean.

Seriously, I think what you say is in jest and i respond in kind.

Ajm229
My point is if the differences in the Islamic faith are settled not by scholars but my kidnappings, beheadings, shootings, bombings, etc....then how is a totally different religion or a person who has no preference to religion expect to live without being raped, extorted, and murdered once they become a minority or a weaken entity in an Islamic culture? Lets face it this problem is as real and violent today as it was centurys and centurys ago in the Islamic world.

 

Actually, Jews and Christians existed peacefully alongside Muslims since Islam's inception. Christians and Jews STILL live in places like Iran, as the minority, and are not kidnapped, beheaded, etc.

 

Okay, got it! Here's my response to that:

Technically, since Islam is already the majority religion, we're already "minorities." However, I live in no fear of being "raped, extorted, and murdered" because I do not see the religion of Islam as being violent from my experiences with it. Obviously, you and Dan have a vastly different experience with the religion (with no offense meant, probably what has been shown in the media mostly, which I will give you, portrays the culture as simply a bunch of terrorists). My experience with Islam stems from my reading the Qur'an and having friends who practice the Islamic faith loosely (as opposed to strictly - they don't pray 5 times a day or feel an incredible urge to journey to Mecca, for example).

I see this argument between our two groups (basically at this point, on CoinTalk, me versus you and Dan and perhaps Midas, because most everyone else has left the discussion) as simply a difference of opinion on how we choose to view the culture and the religion. I have had a different experience with it than you or Dan, and I therefore view it in a different light.

Additionally, I have never advocated that we do NOTHING. I am a conservative and a Republican by political views, and I have stated mayn times that I AGREE with your views and Dan's views that either the clerics within Islam need to seriously denounce terrorist activities in their religion and do something to put a stop to it, or else other countries being affected by terrorism are going to be forced to step in and attempt to eradicate terrorism. DISCLAIMER: This view absolutely, in no uncertain terms, DOES NOT mean that we need to kill everyone who identifies with the Islamic faith, because not 100% of Muslims are terrorists, will become terrorists, or have ever even supported terrorist activities whether monitarily or sympathetically.

It will be very difficult to root out the terrorists from the non-terrorists, but it is a crime not to continue to try to make those distinctions.

That's my stance on it, Andy.

~AJ

 

VERY WELL SAID ajm229, very well said!