SCHOOL FORCES 7TH GRADE GIRLS TO FOLLOW ISLAMIC DRESS CODE

Douglas County Board of Education

A Douglas County middle school in Colorado is facing steep criticism from parents and the Christian religious community for requiring female students to conform to Muslim dress code on a planned field trip. Rocky Heights Middle School sent a letter to parents notifying them of the upcoming world religion field trip where students would visit a mosque, a synagogue and a Greek Orthodox cathedral. The letter then stated that all female students were required to be fully covered from head to ankle while visiting the mosque in order to adhere to the Muslim Shariah code.

Parents objected on the basis that the covering of women in Muslim law is a way to oppress them and they didn’t want their school-age daughters to be forced to conform. Denver talk show host Peter Boyles claims, “Public schools are forbidden from holding girls to different standards than boys. They’re holding these girls to a different standard—it’s a religion reason.”

Islam expert and commentator Pamela Geller said, “The subjugation and oppression of women are enshrined under the Shariah. Young school girls should not be forced to ‘respect’ a dress code that represents honor violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, child marriage, et al.”

In response to the complaints, the school district issued a statement saying that the field trip was optional and not required as part of the coursework for the class. Students who didn’t wish to abide by Muslim Shariah dress code could opt out of the field trip, but for those participating, the Shariah dress code would be enforced.

Why It Matters
There is a huge difference between taking children on a fieldtrip to tour a mosque for educational purposes and requiring them to conform to the religious practices of the Muslim faith. It is also disturbing that school officials seem indifferent toward the cultural significance of the Muslim requirement which includes relegating women to a subservient standing. Pamela Geller, President of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) and Stop Islamization of America, says it best, “Here again, we see that anywhere American law and Islamic law conflict, it is American law that has to give way.” An even more disturbing aspect of this scenario is the absence of strong Christian voices in the community which seems to typify the general Christian apathy plaguing our nation. Parents of the students involved objected to the cultural implications, but what about the clear religious implications? Muslim girls are not required to cover themselves from head to toe for cultural reasons, but for religious reasons.

Take Action
Contact the Douglas County School Board members now and voice your concerns about this incident.

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