School accused of favoring Muslim students
Published: May 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM
TINLEY PARK, Ill., May 7 (UPI) -- A suburban Chicago school district has put cultural diversity on its meeting agenda after a complaint that Muslim students received preferential treatment.
The principal at Prairie View Middle School allowed a group of Muslim students to have a separate lunch table to accommodate religious observances during the month of Ramadan, but rejected a similar request by Catholic students for Lent, The Chicago Daily Southtown reported Wednesday.
"It's not just about the table," said Jennifer Cimaglia, a Tinley Park mother of three. "It appears that there is preferential treatment for Muslim students."
Principal Joe Martin said he never intended to set a double standard for students, particularly along religious lines. Rather, Martin said he rejected the request of Catholic students because they failed to make it before the Lenten season began.
"Do I want to accommodate those students? Yes," he Martin. "We're going to look at accommodations for kids at Lent next year."
The school board will discuss cultural diversity in the district at Thursday night's committee meeting.
The principal at Prairie View Middle School allowed a group of Muslim students to have a separate lunch table to accommodate religious observances during the month of Ramadan, but rejected a similar request by Catholic students for Lent, The Chicago Daily Southtown reported Wednesday.
"It's not just about the table," said Jennifer Cimaglia, a Tinley Park mother of three. "It appears that there is preferential treatment for Muslim students."
Principal Joe Martin said he never intended to set a double standard for students, particularly along religious lines. Rather, Martin said he rejected the request of Catholic students because they failed to make it before the Lenten season began.
"Do I want to accommodate those students? Yes," he Martin. "We're going to look at accommodations for kids at Lent next year."
The school board will discuss cultural diversity in the district at Thursday night's committee meeting.
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This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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