In Texas, Islamic Schools Face Tough Road to Participation

[Draggingtree]

New York Times:

Before Games, Religious Questions

 

 

 

In Texas, Islamic Schools Face Tough Road to Participation

 

 

With 500 students, increasing academic prestige and an established soccer team, Iman Academy SW, an Islamic school in Houston, was seeking membership in 2010 to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, a group that organizes competition among more than 200 schools in the state.

 

In addition to an application form, Iman Academy SW was given a questionnaire. Among the questions:

 

¶ “Historically, there is nothing in the Koran that fully embraces Christianity or Judaism in the way a Christian and/or a Jew understands his religion. Why, then, are you interested in joining an association whose basic beliefs your religion condemns?”

¶ “It is our understanding that the Koran tells you not to mix with (and even eliminate) the infidels. Christians and Jews fall into that category. Why do you wish to join an organization whose membership is in disagreement with your religious beliefs?”

¶ “How does your school address certain Christian concepts? (i.e. celebrating Christmas)”

The private-schools association, known by the acronym Tapps, was established in the 1970s to coordinate sports among Christian schools. The organization drew national attention this week when it refused to reschedule a state semifinal boys basketball game for an Orthodox Jewish day school, which could not play at the scheduled time because its players observe the Sabbath.

Under legal pressure, Tapps ultimately rescheduled the game for Friday afternoon. (The Orthodox school, Robert M. Beren Academy in Houston, defeated the Covenant School of Dallas, 58-46, to advance to the state title game on Saturday night.)

Tapps had said the issue with Beren Academy was not a religious one but rather a matter of scheduling. But the Beren Academy issue, according to interviews with several school officials in Texas, was not the first time Tapps raised concerns over its dealings with a non-Christian school.