1) There is no corresponding equal presentation for any other of the major world religions. To leave out Judiasm but focus on Islam is an especially glaring omission. I’m sure there are as many if not more Jews at CHS and in Charlottesville than there are Muslims. Yet, Jews are still a significant minority and many Christians and others do not understand Judiasm. That alone should make CHS do a Judiasm Awareness Day. In addition, Some Muslims have real problems with practicing Jews—as many problems as they have with Christians if not more. What is the message being sent here by only having an Islam Awareness Day (thank God they decided not to call it a “celebration”)? In the future, when these students are exposed to anything regarding current events in the Middle East will they have an adequate basis upon which to evaluate policy choices, events, etc.? No. They will probably remember that Islam is “harmless” and “fun”. They will probably take the view that the Jewish people must be “wrong” and that Islam never means any harm because its about treats and games and Allah is just like the Judeo-Christian God. If the students come to that conclusion AFTER understanding both sides’ issues, cultures, traditions, etc., then fine, but they will probably base their conclusions partly on the exposure they receive at CHS where Islam is portrayed as “fun” and Judiasm is an unknown quantity.

2) This brings me to my second point which is why is this type of event going on at a high school at all? As far as curriculum goes, it’s about a mile wide and an inch deep! I would expect to see something this Mickey Mouse at an elementary school level—maybe a middle school tops. With my primary school age child I expect to make regional food and play traditional games when learning about a culture or country. It wouldn’t get too deep at that level. With a high school age student I would expect a more thoughtful and thorough examination of a culture, religion, country, etc. ESPECIALLY when dealing with something as complex and controversial as Islam! CCS acts like they are in a time warp where 9-11 never happened and the Muslim president of Iran has never repeatedly announced he plans to annihilate all the Jews in Israel because they are…… well…I guess… JEWISH. CCS, please, please, please take your job more seriously regarding preparing our high school students to deal with the reality of foreign relations in our world today. Please do not reduce cultures and traditions that have had a great impact on our society already and who will most likely continue to have a significant impact on world affairs to the status of “good time rock and roll.”

Because they hate: a survivor of Islamic terror warns America/ Brigitte Gabriel

This book had a profound impact on me becuase the author is about my age – 45. When I was worrying about passing classes, playing volleyball games or running track this woman was literally fighting for her life and lost her family because of radical Islam’s takeover of Lebanon. I was not aware of what was going on at the time. I am sure there are many similar things going on right now that we have no clue about.

One tenent of Islam that violates our way of thinking is it is honorable to lie if it advances the cause of Islam. Anyone who has this principal at their core CAN NEVER BE TRUSTED!! Hello….do we really understand this?

Read this woman’s story. It will open your eyes.

1. Are our students rigorously educated in American’s founding principles?
2. Are they challenged to develop the critical thought processes necessary to differentiate between American Principles and principles incompatible and hostile to American Principles?
3. Are our students educated to be able to recognize the superiority of American Principles?

Finally, adn meaning no disrespect, it is important to establish if these professional educators are in fact well educated themselves. They may likely have suffered from an illiberal education, as many children today do. So, I would also ask them with regards to their own knowledge on the subject matter:

4. In one sentence answers, quoting from America’s founding documents:
a. In America, where do citizens get their rights?
b. In America, why are governments instituted?
c. In America, why was the US Constitution established and ordained?
5. Are any of the principles of Islam, as established in the Quran and over 1000 years of Islamic scholarly consensus, incompatible or hostile with American Principles?
a. If YES, what are these incompatibilities?
b. If NO, by what professional academic rigor did you and your staff come to that conclusion?