Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Praising Allah almost Required in Public Elementary School

Children in an Indiana public school were scheduled to sing about praying to Allah, Ramadan, etc., until complaints started rolling in. The school claimed the song was inclusive of all religions, but the portion of the song dedicated to Christianity expressed nothing but doubt.

Notice how Muslims respond to the cancelation. People not wanting their children being required to sing Allah's praises is "Islamophobic." I wonder if these Muslims would allow us to require their children to sing "Jesus is Lord, and He died for my sins." Sheer hypocrisy (yet again).

A battle over religion is brewing in central Indiana after a public school wanted second graders to sing a song declaring, “Allah is God.” The phrase was removed just before the performance after a national conservative group launched a protest.

The principal of Lantern Road Elementary School in Fishers, IN, said they were trying to teach inclusiveness through their holiday production. It included references to Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Las Posadas and Kwanzaa. However, no other deity, other than Allah, was referenced in the show.

“It went off…without a hitch,” Danielle Thompson told the Indianapolis Star. “Several families thought it was a nice program.”

But others did not – especially David Hogan. His daughter came home with a copy of the lyrics just days before the production. Hogan, a Christian, told the American Family Association, a conservative advocacy group, that he was deeply concerned to learn that his daughter had been singing, “Allah is God.”

Here’s what the children were assigned to sing:

“Allah is God, we recall at dawn,
Praying ‘til night during Ramadan
At this joyful time we pray happiness for you,
Allah be with you all your life through.”


But when it came time to perform the “Christian” part of Christmas, children were assigned to say:

“I didn’t know there was a little boy at the manger. What child is this?
I’m not sure if there was a little boy or not.
Then why did you paint one on your nativity window?
I just thought if there was a little boy, I’d like to know exactly what he (sic) say."


Micah Clark, executive director of the Indiana AFA, launched an Internet protest once he heard about the allegations. “What surprised me here is that we’ve had a secular scrubbing of Christmas for so long and the school apparently didn’t see the problem with kids singing to Allah,” he told FOX News Radio. “You won’t even mention Jesus and you’re going to force my child to sing about Allah?

In email correspondence the school initially defended the reference as a way to be inclusive of all religions. However, once complaints starting rolling in, school leaders decided to eliminate the Allah reference.

That drew the ire of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana. “It’s unfortunate if that was removed from the program just because of Islamophobic feelings,” Shariq Siddiqui told the Indianapolis Star. “Schools are a place where we should learn more about each other rather than exclude each other based on stereotypes and misconceptions.”

But Clark said having children bow and pray is problematic for non-Muslim families. “(This show) affirmed Islam and negated Christianity. I wouldn’t have had a problem if it had been equal to all faiths.”

At least one Christian family approved of the Allah reference. “I’m a Christian and I was in no way offended by the program at Lantern Road,” said Judy Grasso to The Star. Source.

33 comments:

Radical Moderate said...

Siddiqui said "Allah" is the Arabic word for God and is used by Jews, Christians and others in Arabic-speaking nations."

I have been trying to track down if this statement is true. I have heard taht in some arabic translations of bible it does use Allah in place of God. But I'm not sure if this is in place of YWHY or Eloheem.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Radical Moderate said...

I also want to know who wrote this song. The lyrics on Jesus are obvious on a atheist perspective.

Unknown said...

Fatman : this assertion yes is true, however it is deceptive !!

let me explain:
The word Allah, yes used in the arabic bible and used by arabic speaking people ... and it denotes the Highest supreme power, and not considered as a noun, but muslims, consider the word Allah as a name of this highest supreme power ...

Elohim and YHWA is present also in the arabic translation of the bible , denoting a noun ...

In coptic church, the word allah in coptic is Efnoty, and in greek is Theos, which in english means God and christians are not obliged to use the word Allah, if they are using other language...

So to conclude , the muslim assertion that arabic christians use the same word Allah, is true, but in completely different sense than muslims...

By the way, the word ALLAH, was present even before the presence of islam.. even the so called father of the prophet of islam is called abd allah, which mean slave of Allah, and this was pre-islam !!!!
What islam did, is took that word, and refered it as a noun to the islamic deity ...

hope that helped clarifying things out

Unknown said...

and I would like to add for the sake of consistency, would muslim be willing to be consistent and use the word Efnoty or Theos instead of Allah, since they are refering to arabic-speaking christians ?!

2: if this guy refering to Arabic-speaking christians, would he be willing, that arabic -speaking christians speak on muslims' behalf as well ?

3: since arabic speaking christians are not ahving any problem translating the word Allah, to any language , will he be willing to do so as well (since he is refering to them !)

4: What is his problem with using the word God istead of Allah ?!!!

Sepher Shalom said...

My cousin's high school had a speaker on Islam during multicultural week (this was some time ago, he is a grown man now). At some point during the presentation the speaker taught a few basic Arabic words, and then proceeded to have the whole school repeating the Shahada during the assembly. There were two Muslims at his private school, and apparently they were quite amused, and after the assembly told my cousin in a joking fashion, "You are all Muslims now".

Three cheers for "multiculturalism".

Fernando said...

Brother The Fat Man... the pre-muslim word for "God" was not -- I repeat -- was not allah, rather illah...

the fact some Jews and Christians begun, in muslim countries, to call "God" by allah was allready a form off aculturation...

iff you find more information, please shear it withe us...

ned said...

Thats really very bad especially in a christian dominated society. It is indeed foolish and unfaithful on part of school to allow lines showing doubt about Jesus and elevating allah.

In the muslim countries it is hard for a christian to live with relegious freedom and consider this as comparison.

It is time to think about the deception work thats going on. We have to proclaim our belief and faith in Jesus as Saviour and that is going to work against the plans of the enemy.Without Jesus you,we and no one who believes in Jesus can fight against the plans of the enemy.

As a reminder i am putting Jesus's own Words:

Mark 13:22-For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. 23So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

ned said...

Shariq Siddiqui, executive director of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana. "Schools are a place where we should learn more about each other rather than exclude each other based on stereotypes and misconceptions.

My comment to Mr. Siddiqui's statement is that why don't you first practice this strategy in Muslim countries and then bring that experience here.

blackmoley said...

Historical evidences, impartial logic, well versed references and all available circumstantial judgments can very well prove that—(a) Allah name of deity was pre-existed much before the arrival of Islam, (b) Pre-Islamic Pagan peoples worshipped Allah as their supreme deity (moon-god). Allah’s name existed in pre-Islamic Arab. In ancient Arab the Allah was considered to be the supreme God/deity (as Moon-God) and Arab Pagans worshipped Allah before Islam arrived. muhammad stole this name to create his imaginary god.

minoria said...

The principal is a very stupid man.I have never seen something like this.And the Muslim Alliance in Indiana is illogical also.They would be the first to be against Muslim children having to sing a line saying "Jesus is God".Then why should non-Muslims have to sing "Allah is God to who we pray"?Either they think we are stupid or the Muslim Alliance shows a sysmptom you see in alot of Muslims:being incapable of logic.You see it over and over again.

ned said...

Hi David,

Are you going to post my comments?

Keep up the good work.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Regards,

Nadeem

Yusuf Alamo said...

I find it absolutely distasteful that the school wouldn't say the name of the Messiah, Yeshua/Jesus/Isa Ibn Maryam (Peace be upon him) in their song.

Sepher Shalom said...

Hi Yusuf,

Could you please kindly share with us what the word "Messiah" means to you (since you have applied this title to Yeshua) and from where you get your information on the meaning of this word.

I can't seem to figure out what a "Messiah" is from reading the Quran. Maybe you can help. Thanks.

Fernando said...

Hi Yusuf Hamza, or can I call you Mister Buggs Bunny? No? Well thats precisely whate you're doing withe Jesus... He never was called Isa... ah, I almost forgot: nice hair do: its thate your true hair? God bless...

Unknown said...

let me recap what I said:

no arabic christian will say Allah is God, but rather say Allah means God... which is totally different from the song, and from what muslims are trying to implement

also : I noticed that some would argue that ilah means God in arabic..so let me show some differences:

a God = ilah
The God = Al-Ilah
God = Allah

Unknown said...

more islamic inconcistecies seen in Evangelsism in Egypt versus islamization !!

watch here:
http://www.islameyat.com/video_player.php?id=4509&

Unknown said...

David, did you hear about this weird way of preaching for islam :
http://article.wn.com/view/2009/11/16/Colonel_Muammar_Gaddafi_invites_500_Italian_women_to_villa_a/

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6918541.ece

http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/libya-gaddafi-pays-attractive-italian-women-to-listen-to-him-preach-on-islam/4250901105

last month the libyan president, while attending a UN conference regarding food supplies in italy, he made an weird ad, seeking 500 beautiful woman , elganelly dressed, to attend a party with president, and they will be offered financial compensation.. the agent was able to recruit only 200 , and they were shocked that it wasnt diplomatic thing as they were told !!.. they found him preaching for islam ... meanwhile attacking christianity !!!!!!! (which muslims always blame u, why dont u just focus on christaintiyl, in stead of criticising islam!!)

"Seeking 700 attractive girls between 18 and 35 years old, at least 1.70 metres (5 foot, 7 inches) tall, well-dressed but not in mini-skirts or low cut dresses, » read the ad by the Hostessweb agency and quoted in Italy’s Corriere dell Sera newspaper in its story."

i wonder if this guy really want to debate christianity, why he called for beautiful wome, why not apologist like u, or at least men ?!!!!!!!!! weird !!

it souds like an ad recruiting secretary !!!

take a look at the pictures in this video (sorry , this one is in arabic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqZHdvHkUFs

so is it ossible for Obama, or prince charles to go to Saudi arabia or any other islamic country and do the same ?!!

p.s: it is good to notice, that he is the well know for having a female security system alwasy surrounding him !!!

(feel free to post seperately)

Fernando said...

brother shafsha... thanks for thate clarification on ilah, al-ilah and Allah (which is not God, butt means "God")... I do agree withe you... manie blessings...

Anonymous said...

I do not support Islam at all but for the sake of information exchange so we all can learn new things. I wanted to point out that though in muslim countries they do not tolerate other religions is it the fault of the everyday muslim's or their leaders? My point is simply I see comments about them not allowing it in other countries is all.

Anyways now about the article it is sad when certain religious freedoms are granted to some while other lose theirs Christianity has been attacked since it began and is still under attack to this very day. I wonder if the school is scared to offend muslims or just bowing a knee to it? I know if it happened to my kid I would sue the school for even making her practice the song. I only bow a knee to Jesus no one else.

Just a side note muhammad acknowledged more than one God himself here is the proof.

Tabari VIII:108 "In the name of Allah, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to the Negus, king of the Ethiopians.

Shall we start using those names for God as well and remember Malaysia banned Bibles that have the word Allah saying he is the God of Islam only. They feared Muslims would mistake the Bible for qurans.

The Bibles were written in the country's official language, Malay -- in which the word for God is "Allah," as it is in Arabic.However, Malaysia's government says the word is exclusive to Islam. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/29/malaysia.bibles.seized/index.html

So the truth finally comes out allah is the islamic idol and not the true God of the Holy Scriptures.

Unknown said...

I prefer Rabi Yasouh Al Massih

so when did this blog start being a christian question but no muslim answer blog?

still waiting on you answer Abu Hamza. Why do you insit on calling our Lord the Massiah?

minoria said...

Kaddafi has unfortunately closed his mind years ago to really verify if Islam is true or not.It is too bad he has chosen that path.Were there ANY riots in Italy over his action?No.Would there be any if someone gave 200 Muslim women bibles in Egypt,Algeria,etc.i think so.There is alot of immaturity in the Muslim world and it will be so till Jesus comes.

Lothair Of Lorraine said...

The hypocricy of Islam rolls on.

Yusuf Alamo said...

Mr. Shalom,

The Arabic Word for 'Messiah' is 'Messia' or 'Masih' (Pronounced Mas-saha, which means to 'rub over').

I pray that I am not mistaken or incorrect in any information that I am going to relay to you regarding Islam (Inshah'alla Ta'alla/Almighty God Willing), May Allah Subhana Wa Ta'alaa/Al-Khaliq/As-Salaam/Al-Rabb/Al-Wahdoud/Al-Wali/Al-Aziz/Al-Rahman/Al-Raheem/Almighty God/Elohim/Yahweh/Ardonai/Jehovah Jirah/Jevohah Nisee or any other name used to refer to the Lord of Prophet Abraham (Peace Be Upon Him)/Nabi-ullah Ibraheem Alayhees Salaam, Forgive me. Ameen.

The Definition of the word, according to the Arabic language, is someone described as 'Annointed' or 'Consecrated'.

In the Qur'an, This is one of the titles used to describe Al-Masih Isa Alayhees Salaam/Jesus The Christ (Peace be Upon Him)/Yeshua A'Shalom.

I first received the Islamic definition of the Arabic word, 'Messia' or 'Masih', from the index of the A. Yusuf Ali Transliteration of the Noble Qur'an.

It can also be found in A. Yusuf Ali's Commentary of any verse/ayat of the Noble Qur'an that refers to Isa Alayees Salaam/Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him).

I do understand that definition of the Hebrew word, 'Mashiyach' to be similar, if not the same.

According to 'A Concise Dictionary of the words in the Hebrew Bible' (pg 73, ref. #4886), it comes from the root word 'Mashach', which means to rub with oil, to anoint, or to consecrate.

'Mashiyach' (according to the same reference I used earlier) is defined as an 'Anointed' or usually a 'Consecrated' person such as a King, a Priest, or a Saint (pg 74, ref. #4899)

I also understand that (according to Jewish thought) that the Messiah is usually used to refer to someone who will save and deliver the Jewish people from the hands of their enemies or oppressors.

Again, if I am wrong or if I have caused any offense in anything I have said in answering you, I pray that The Lord of Abraham (Peace Be Upon Him) forgive me. Ameen.

Respectfully, Yusuf

Fernando said...

Hi Yusuf Hamza, or can I call you Mister Buggs Bunny? No? Well thats precisely whate you're doing withe Jesus... He never was called Isa... and allah is not Yahweh... never was, never is, and never will bee... Merry Christmas to you and your familie Yusuf Hamza...

Fernando said...

Hi Yusuf Hamza, you saide thate "messiah" means, in arabic, "annointed" or "consecrated"... in hebrew and greek also... the question is, as brother Sepher will certenlie point out, weather Jesus is simply an "annointed" person like many others in the history, or the Personal Messiah thate, being God, is, in His humanity, annoited by the Holy Spirit... by your definition any Chrsitian, tahte has been baptized, has been "annointed" or "consecrated", butt we are not, by any means, the Messiah... so: you're using an word without apllying into Jesus the proper and full meaning off thate worde... It woulde bee like saying thate muhammad is a prophet, butt then saying thate he's only a false prophet...

Yusuf Alamo said...

Mr. Fernando,

Peace be upon you.

Please excuse me if I have erred in the above opening in which I've addressed you ('Mr. Fernando').

I have done so only because I do not know your family sir name.

I respect your right to call me whatever you want. I do not have the desire, the intention, or the ability to make you call me what I'd prefer.

If you insist on calling me 'Bugs Bunny', so be it.

As far as Isa Ibn Maryam/Yeshua Ben-Miriam/Jesus the Son of Mary (Peace Be Upon Him) is concerned, I respect your right to express criticism and concern over the name of someone we both revere.

Thank you for complimenting my previous haircut. To answer your question, yes, it is my real hair.

I should tell you that the picture was taken over a year ago and that my haircut is different now as is the style of my facial hair.

Personally, I never liked my hair, but Alhamdulillah/Praise be to Almighty God, I do the best that I can despite being ascetically challenged.

Thank you for wishing my family and I a Merry Christmas.

Inshah'alaa Ta'alaa/Almighty God willing, I will convey your season's greetings to my beloved parents.

God Bless and Happy Holidays to you and your family as well.

Sincerely, Yusuf

Fernando said...

Hi Yusuf Hamza...

thanks for your kind words... its unsual in the muslim people thate commes arounde here...

so: you don't mind changing someones' name... I thought thate in arabic culture, as well as in the hebrew one, a name is more than a name: it is the expression off a person... calling Jesus as Isa (an invented name, as almost the data in the qur'an thate refers to the historical Jesus) is denieng His identity no matter the abreviations you place after His name...

another point: so you admit thate for you Jesus is not the Messiah, rather onlie a "messiah", an "annointed" or "consecrated" person... ok... thats fine to me... muhammad is also a false prophet to me butt saying tahte I also acknoledge thate he's a "prophet" unless you woulde admite tahte a "false prophet" is not a "prophet"... butt the, can you answer me: by whom, and how, was Jesus "annointed" or "consecrated"?

I would really apreciate to see an honest answer from someone who seams to me to bee an honest person...

may God, the Holy Trinity, bless you and your family...

Yusuf Alamo said...

Mr. Fernando,

Peace be unto you.

Much love for the compliment. By the Grace and Mercy of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'alaa/All-Mighty God, I am honored and feel that Alhamdulillah ('All Praise is due to All-Mighty God') for any and all good conduct that Inshah'alaa Ta'alaa ('All-Mighty God Willing') I am able to implement when interacting with people.

In the Noble Qur'an, Allah Subhana Wa Ta'alaa/Almighty God teaches:

[Surah 16:125] 'Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who has strayed from His path, and who receives guidance.'

Fernando, this Book (The Qur'an) has been a guide towards peace and understanding for me as I'm sure the Bible has been a guide for you.

In the Noble Qur'an, Allah Subhana Wa Ta'alaa/All-Mighty God says:

[Surah 2:2-4] 'This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah. Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them; And who believe in the Revelation sent unto thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have assurance of the Hereafter.'

Alhamdulillah ('All Praise is due to All-Mighty God'), I cannot take any credit for naming Isa Ibn Maryam/Yeshua Ben-Miriam/Jesus the Son of Mary (Peace Be Upon Him).

Fernando, I am neither an Arab or a Hebrew. I am an American. My fathers descend from the Carib, Taino, Mayan, Incan, Chirichua, Nednis, and Kiowas people of these lands which you (might) call 'The New World'.

Islam is not an 'Arab' religion. Like Christianity, it is a religion that is practiced by people of all nations, ethnicities, and walks of life from throughout the world.

Also, the name of Isa/Yeshua/Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) was around long before either of us were born. I didn't change his name (Peace Be Upon Him) from 'Jesus' to 'Isa' any more than you changed his name from 'Yeshua' to 'Jesus'.

Again, All Praise and Credit is due to Allah Subhana Wa Ta'alaa/All-Mighty God who explains how Maryam (May Allah Be Pleased With Her) is told about Isa Ibn Maryam/Yeshua Ben-Miriam/Jesus the Son of Mary (Peace Be Upon Him) in the Noble Qur'an:

[Surah 3:45-46] 'Behold! the angels said: "O, Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah; He shall speak to the people in childhood and maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous."

Most importantly, Isa Ibn Maryam/Yeshua Ben-Miriam/Jesus the Son of Mary (Peace Be Upon Him) is The Messiah. No other Prophet in the Qur'an is called as such, not even Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Salallahu Alayhee Wa Salaam (Peace Be Upon Him).

According to the Qur'an, Prophets were given different titles or ranks during their time here on earth. In the Qur'an, Allah Subhana Wa Ta'alaa says:

[Surah 2:53] 'Those messengers We endowed with gifts, some above others: To one of them Allah spoke, others He raised to degrees (of honour); to Jesus the son of Mary We gave clear (Signs), and strengthened him with the holy spirit. If Allah had so willed, succeeding generations would not have fought among each other, after clear (Signs) had come to them, but they (chose) to wrangle, some believing and others rejecting. If Allah had so willed, they would not have fought each other; but Allah Fulfilleth His plan.'

Walhamdulillah, I believe that this verse (as well as the previous verses quoted) give testament to how and by whom Al-Messia Isa/Mashiyach Yeshua/ Christ Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) was anointed and/or consecrated to be the Messiah according to Islam.

Love, Yusuf

Yusuf Alamo said...

Mr. Fernando,

Please excuse the typo on the last Ayat (verse) I cited. Astaghfirullah ('All-Mighty God forgive me'), It was incorrect.

The correct verse is Surah 2:253.

Sincerely, Yusuf

Yusuf Alamo said...

Mr. Fernando,

Also, please forgive the mis-spelling of the word 'Chiricua'. I accidentally typed an 'h' into the word.

Thanks, Yusuf

Fernando said...

Hi Yusuf Hamza...

thanks for your always kind wordes...

you saide: «the qur'an has been a guide towards peace and understanding for me»... glad to you... to sad many off your co-belibers do use itt to, based on its texts, implement violence and intolerance... to sad... and I habe to say thate to find peace in a book thate conveis violence into non-muslims is quite an narcisistic attitude... don't you think so?

you also saide: «I am neither an Arab or a Hebrew»... I kew thate... the point I made was thate, iff I'm right, you quoted an arabic dictionary to explainne whate was your understanding off "messiah"... I simply enlarged thate meaning to the languages thate "founded" the concept traslated by thate "word"...

you also saide: «Islam is not an 'Arab' religion»... absoluttely right... I totally agree: I'm from the Philipinas and I ounce was a muslim...

you also saide: «I didn't change Jesus' name from 'Jesus' to 'Isa', any more than you changed his name from 'Yeshua' to 'Jesus'»... absoluttely right... absoluttely right... butt 'Jesus' is the transliteration off a Biblical name ('Yesus') onto latin and thereafter onto english, and 'Isa' was nott the translation off thate Biblical name onto arabic: its a name invented by the compilers off the qur'an since 'Jesus' in pre-islamic arabic was nott 'Isa'... precisely my pointe...

you also saide: «Most importantly Jesus the Son of Mary is The Messiah»... To sad the qur'an evacuates this notion off its full mening... as I saide: Saying thate Jesus is the 'messiah' (butt not the 'Messiah' in the proper meaning off the therm) is the same as saying Jesus is the 'Christ'... or, in your opinion, it is not?

may God, the Holy Trinity, bless you and your family...

Sadiq Abdel-Malik said...

Ya, Yusuf! Assalaamu Alaykum, Ahkee!

Yusuf Alamo said...

Wa Laykum Salaam, Sheikh Abdel-Malik! How is it going on the front lines of Da'wah?

Walhamdulillah, Ahkee Yusuf