Lesson on Islam sparks debate at Menomonie School Board meeting

[TexasTowelie]

MENOMONIE — Whether Islam should have been taught at the Menomonie Middle School dominated the school board meeting Monday.

Earlier this year Menomonie Middle School eighth grade students in language arts classes were assigned to read the book “I am Malala,” a memoir by a young Pakistani girl who pursued her education despite restrictive bans from the Taliban.

Malala became internationally famous when she was shot and nearly killed because she fought for her right to be educated. As Malala is a practicing Muslim, teachers asked a speaker to tell the students a bit about the religion of Islam to help them better understand the cultural context Malala lived in and her religious background.

Nearly 100 people attended Monday’s school board meeting. Many spoke in favor of diversity education, although a few expressed concerns that religion should largely be taught at home.

Read more: http://www.leadertelegram.com/News/Front-Page/2017/04/24/Lesson-on-Islam-sparks-debate.html

[get the red out]

1. She is an inspiration

Who happens to be a Muslim, so I don't see her book as "teaching religion".

[Throck]

2. Equal time should be given to all religions.

This would be a good start to understand and appreciate diversity. That's how religion was taught when I was in a public high school last century.