Sharia in Public Schools a Charter "Right"?
That's Harpoon Siddiqui's story (and he's sticking to it):
There is clear tension between the Charter’s guarantees of freedom of religion and gender equality. This is one of the most difficult balancing acts of a secular democracy. But school boards cannot resolve it for us. As [TDSB director Chris] Spence says: “We do not have the authority to tell faith groups how to pray.” Nor can the board prefer one faith practice over another.
Implementing the law equally for all is a sacred secular democratic principle.
Too bad it isn't a sacred sharia principle (since sharia, the one true law for all, is a political/religious system that enshrines the superiority of Muslims over infidels, and men over chicks--the reason many are alarmed to see it popping up at a Toronto public school).
2 comments:
When Siddiqui tries to make a list of "gender discriminating" practices in other religions, he completely misses the fact that those practices in no way shape or form affect the TDSB system. Nobody is suggesting that the segregation that goes on in synagogues or Hindu temples is to be extended to the public school system. And yet by allowing the Islamic prayers to take place in a public school, we are giving the Muslims permission to extend their form of gender segregation beyond the mosque and into the public sphere.
Now, let's see if they will approve this comment at the Star website.
I don't think Ontario's religious accommadation law would stand up against a charter challenge, forcing private industries and public schools to accommade religious precepts violates freedom of conscience. That law gives unequal status to those who want to use their religious beliefs to force others to submit to their religious precepts.
Post a Comment