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WhoIsNumberNone

(7,875 posts) Fri Dec 18, 2015, 10:03 PM Dec 2015

Uproar Over Arabic Calligraphy Assignment Closes Virginia Schools

Schools in Augusta County in Virginia were closed Friday amid an angry backlash about a school lesson about Islamic faith. In addition, a weekend holiday concert and athletic events were also canceled. A teacher at Riverheads High School had students in her class complete an assignment one week ago. It involved practicing calligraphy and writing a statement in Arabic. The statement translated to: “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” According to news reports, Officials said they had not received any specific threats but were alarmed by the volume and tone of the complaints, including some from outside Virginia. In response, additional police were stationed at county schools Thursday.

More:
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/18/islam-calligraphy-assignment-forces-closure-of-schools-in-virginia-county
http://usuncut.com/news/teacher-targeting-with-anti/

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Uproar Over Arabic Calligraphy Assignment Closes Virginia Schools (Original Post) WhoIsNumberNone Dec 2015 OP

I can understand the objection (not the OUTRAGE!). Imagine an assignment to say "Jesus is the way kelly1mm Dec 2015 #1

Agreed that it wasn't the medium, it was the message Warpy Dec 2015 #2

kelly1mm

(4,733 posts)

1. I can understand the objection (not the OUTRAGE!). Imagine an assignment to say "Jesus is the way

Reply to WhoIsNumberNone (Original post)

Fri Dec 18, 2015, 10:14 PM

Dec 2015

the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father but through the Son" for those not Christian. It is the part about it being a personal profession of religious belief that is problematic. Arabic calligraphy is fine and I am actually glad it is being taught including it's religious connections (since no pictorial depictions are allowed the text itself is made artistic).

Warpy

(111,277 posts)

2. Agreed that it wasn't the medium, it was the message

Reply to kelly1mm (Reply #1)

Fri Dec 18, 2015, 10:45 PM

Dec 2015

but I doubt most parents are upset about that. They're upset that their kiddies are studyin on them Ay-rabs.

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