Thread: TIZA - Is this for real???

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S407036.shtml

Metro charter school accused of teaching Islam

A Star Tribune newspaper column has prompted a state investigation into a charter school. A substitute teacher said a school in Inver Grove Heights is blurring the line of separation of church and state.

Being a charter school Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy, or TIZA, is supported by tax dollars. The teacher told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the presence of religion she observed at the school took her by surprise.

TIZA Executive Director Azad Zaman insisted the school follows with state and federal laws.

"TIZA does not endorse any religion," he said.

However, TIZA Academy is sponsored by Islamic Relief USA, based in California.

The questions came after substitute teacher Amanda Getz taught at TIZA last month and told the Star Tribune about things she observed that day that shocked her.


"I've been in a lot of schools and I've never been in a school where they had washing rituals, or they had prayer, or where they had a room where you had to take your shoes off," Getz said.

"It is most likely that this substitute teacher was sadly mistaken," said Zaman.

He said the school follows state and federal guidelines when it comes to religion.

"We're required under the federal guidelines to allow students to pray when they wish to do so. And as Muslim students, they're allowed to pray around 1:30 p.m., so we allow them to do that," Zaman explained.

The State Department of Education said they would conduct more site visits and write to the State Department to find out more about the school’s sponsor.

TIZA requires all students to learn Arabic as a second language English.

State law requires the school to fly an American flag during school hours, however no flag flies outside of TIZA Academy.

Zaman told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he didn’t know how to work the flagpole.

He said the school follows state and federal guidelines when it comes to religion.

"We're required under the federal guidelines to allow students to pray when they wish to do so. And as Muslim students, they're allowed to pray around 1:30 p.m., so we allow them to do that," Zaman explained.

State and federal laws have pretty much BANNED prayer in schools, at least for Christian students.

If one religion is allowed prayer in schools, then ALL should be allowed. It's all or nothing!

Duplicate Post

http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-663292.html#663292

Originally Posted by miguelina

He said the school follows state and federal guidelines when it comes to religion.

"We're required under the federal guidelines to allow students to pray when they wish to do so. And as Muslim students, they're allowed to pray around 1:30 p.m., so we allow them to do that," Zaman explained.

State and federal laws have pretty much BANNED prayer in schools, at least for Christian students.

If one religion is allowed prayer in schools, then ALL should be allowed. It's all or nothing!

So,...my question is, why are they allowed to, but christians are not allowed to??? Why aren't the christians not saying anything if it's unfair???This doesn't make sense like immigration issue.

Originally Posted by jimpasz

Duplicate Post

http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-663292.html#663292

Sorry, I didn't know that. My husband just showed me and I was amazed!

The school should at least hold the recess then and pay for a recreation director to offer some counter programing. So if the devout want to use their recess praying instead of playing soccer or dodge ball they will not be disrupting a class.

Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

Originally Posted by yongmi

Originally Posted by miguelina

He said the school follows state and federal guidelines when it comes to religion.

"We're required under the federal guidelines to allow students to pray when they wish to do so. And as Muslim students, they're allowed to pray around 1:30 p.m., so we allow them to do that," Zaman explained.

State and federal laws have pretty much BANNED prayer in schools, at least for Christian students.

If one religion is allowed prayer in schools, then ALL should be allowed. It's all or nothing!

So,...my question is, why are they allowed to, but christians are not allowed to??? Why aren't the christians not saying anything if it's unfair???This doesn't make sense like immigration issue.

Good question. Religious schools are not eligible to receive federal dollars. The reason is you can't have prayers in schools that are taxpayer funded. You can have prayer if it's a private school receiving tuiton.

This school is definitely in violation of federal laws and should be fined and shut down.

Another thing, he doesn't know how to work a flagpole?!?! Thats the reason he's giving for not having the American flag flying outside the school? PLEASE! Someone in that school must have a brain big enough to GET someone to put the flag up!