An Islamic public charter school in Minnesota, Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy, is raising the issue of religion in public schools again. The school offered religion class after school, but buses didn't run until after the religion class ended. One teacher reported being directed to take her students to the wash room so they could do their ritual cleansing prior to prayer service in the gym. Arabic is a required subject and Halal food is served in the cafeteria.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune has a good roundtable discussion among charter school leaders representing different faiths/cultures, a state department official and a charter school activist. One key point is the school may teach about religion, but not proselytize--or "accommodate" not "promote."
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