My bro who's in grade 5 tells me his teacher asked why we don't celeberate christmas.. when he said we only celeberate what God has gifted us with (Eids) the teacher questioned "Why? Christmas is a national holiday, no longer religious, so why don't you celeberate it?" This is where my brother comes up to me and asks what should he tell the teacher. I got this weird feeling like wth, the teacher has no right in asking such questions..
this is one of many examples where this education system we look up to , is trying to 'brainwash' our kids. i know u already know this.. just be careful!!!
Crickey, my daughter's kindergarden teacher emailed me to ask me if it was OK for my daughter to participate in school christmas activities as she was aware of our religious background. She said she respected our differences and did not want my kid to be subjected to any confusion. I emailed her back and told her about Eid, etc., and also mentioned that it was OK for her to be part of the celebrations because they were harldy religious in nature but rather fun and exciting.
I think that as muslims, we should be willing to share where we come from but at the same time not be defensive about our religious beliefs. It's gives a wrong impression that we do not care to understand or respect others. I have seens muslim moms fight with the school on "how dare you make my kid decorate a pumpkin" and such. If a family is very strict in their religious beliefs, there is a polite and gentler way of reaching out, I feel. In fact, the other party gets even more interested and informed when the channel of communication is not just open but friendly.
It's a very strange series of questions to ask. I agree that an adult could send a note explaining, but regardless, this seems to be a very ignorant teacher. It's one thing to ask "why" so that students reflect on their own decisions and choices. It's another to be so offensive.
Also, the "education system" is not brainwashing the kids. The teacher is a human being and has human limitations. It is important to approach this in a mature matter in order to make change.
Crickey, my daughter's kindergarden teacher emailed me to ask me if it was OK for my daughter to participate in school christmas activities as she was aware of our religious background. She said she respected our differences and did not want my kid to be subjected to any confusion. I emailed her back and told her about Eid, etc., and also mentioned that it was OK for her to be part of the celebrations because they were harldy religious in nature but rather fun and exciting.
I had very similar experience just last year. My son's kindergarten teacher REQUESTED that ALL Muslim kids in the class bring in something from their culture (food) for the Ramadan Eid. So the class can share and enjoy, and understand the celebration of Eid. She said it's all about cultural awareness.
I was really absolutely touched by this gesture. She is white - more likely Irish. There cannot be more kind and gentle behavior than this, in the entire race of humanity! esp. when the rest of the world (media) is simply poisoning everyone's mind about a specific culture.
My bro who's in grade 5 tells me his teacher asked why we don't celeberate christmas.. when he said we only celeberate what God has gifted us with (Eids) the teacher questioned "Why? Christmas is a national holiday, no longer religious, so why don't you celeberate it?" This is where my brother comes up to me and asks what should he tell the teacher. I got this weird feeling like wth, the teacher has no right in asking such questions..
this is one of many examples where this education system we look up to , is trying to 'brainwash' our kids. i know u already know this.. just be careful!!!
Not all Christians celebrate christmas either...Unless the teacher is really ignorant, he/she would know these facts.
one would expect a person in the education system to know the basics, having studied in a university is she ignorant or has her own agenda?
Oh dear me.
You clearly do not meet teachers on a daily basis.
I was asked to explain the significance of both Eids by a fellow teacher, who has taught in schools where 70% of the children have been muslims.
Shouldn't we welcome questions rather than assumptions?
It's not necessarily ignorance either. Most muslims I know practice their religion according to their personal beliefs, sometimes confusing culture with religion. We'v had children come into school saying they can't sing songs as they will go straight to hell and they can't sit next to boys as its not allowed and one little girl who is left handed had been forbidden by her parents to use her left hand when writing and cutting!
I think the teacher was just being careful. I would have done the same.
^ Please explain how the teacher was being "careful"? Let's say your Christian, you would of asked a 10 year old Muslim boy why he doesn't celebrate Christmas even after the boy has answered the question? I mean it's not like asking a question to a high school student.. it's a 10 year old boy... You would of done the same?
^ Please explain how the teacher was being "careful"? Let's say your Christian, you would of asked a 10 year old Muslim boy why he doesn't celebrate Christmas even after the boy has answered the question? I mean it's not like asking a question to a high school student.. it's a 10 year old boy... You would of done the same?
I didnt mean I would have done the same by asking the same question twice. I would have just asked the once. I meant I would have asked why.
My neighbour also said something along the same lines.I said, why don't you guys say anything to people of the jewsih faith who celeberate Hannukah and not Christmas.That shut her up.
it could be plain curiosity but teacher are trained to be more sensible than this in a multicultural setting. For if she is truly interested she would find out the answers through adults. For a child this is intimidating, i wouldn't be happy on a professional or parental level.
Having taught in public schools, I’d really really think twice before asking someone why they didn’t celebrate something. Seriously, teachers should not ask and if they do - it needs to be put forward with very carefully chosen words - so that the child does not feel left out/put on the spot.
Anyway, CP - what do you expect from Quebec-ers!? :halo:
Yes that's very immature of the teacher and it is disturbing. Esp. if she says i*t's a national holiday - no longer religious.* With these words kids are *not gonna be able to EXPRESS themselves rightly- but they KNOW the answer. *
Like I said before, my son might have said we ENJOY Christmas by exchanging gifts - so yes THAT is a way we are contributing to the NATIONAL HOLIDAY. So THAT should answer her queries.
i think children shouldnt be made to justify their cultural background.they are not and shouldnt be expected to behave as an ambassador. adults on the other hand are expected to be more sensitive in this profession.
i think children shouldnt be made to justify their cultural background.they are not and shouldnt be expected to behave as an ambassador. adults on the other hand are expected to be more sensitive in this profession.
I agree with you, yet times have changed. Our kids are very smart in everything - so why not also give them enough knowledge so they can speak for themselves? I think a 5th grader (10 yr old) has enough awareness (in today's time).
Yesterday, my daughter (7 yrs old) was writing up Christmas cards for her class. My son (6 yr old / 1st grade) initially showed interest but soon he said, "mom I don't want to do these cards". I asked him why? (since the past 2 years he had been in school, we did it). He just said casually, "because mom we are Muslims and we don't celebrate Christmas... so it's okay, if I don't want to write up the cards, I don't have to".
By saying this, he expressed himself and justified the reason why.