Written by Don Byrd
A principal in Prince George’s County (Maryland) has found a unique way to accommodate the prayer needs of a growing Muslim student population. That’s the good news. The bad news – at least it seems like a questionable idea to me – is that not all Muslim students may take advantage of the prayer time; only the ones with good enough grades.
At Parkdale High School, about 10 Muslim students get out of class for about eight minutes each day to pray together on campus, said Principal Cheryl J. Logan. Another student is working hard to raise his grades so he too can join the group of students, who belong to the school’s chapter of the Muslim Students’ Association, she said.
Is this the right answer? If Muslim students can be accommodated, should some be left out? Is prayer time an appropriate reward? Like extra recess?
