Minn. Educators Hoping for More Muslim Books in Public Schools
- Posted on January 3, 2011 at 9:59am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
Poor grades. Loneliness. Alienation. Feeling worthless. Can’t relate. Those are just some of the reasons why educators in Minnesota are fighting for more Muslim-oriented books in public school libraries.
“There wasn‘t a whole lot in our library that provided a sense of ’this is what’s normal,’” Julie Scullen, a reading intervention specialist at Northdale Middle School in Coon Rapids, MN, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune regarding literature for young Muslims.
Scullen is leading the charge at her school to make more Muslim centered literature available to students. She even used $800 in federal funds to make that happen, ordering books such as “The American Muslim Teenager’s handbook“ and ”From Somalia With Love.”
“Are all Muslims terrorists? Does Muslim culture clash with American culture? Can Muslim teens go to the prom?” the handbook’s description asks on Amazon.com. “Casual, colloquial, joking, contemporary, and passionate, this interactive handbook by two Arizona teens and their mom talks about their faith, about what it is like to be both proud Americans and proud Muslims, and about misunderstandings and stereotypes.”
Freda Shamma, director of curriculum development for the Foundation for the Advancement and Development of Education and Learning, applauded the move to buy more Muslim-oriented books. She believes that without such literature, Muslim students suffer.
“It is extremely important for young people to read stories reflecting their ethnicity and/or religion in order to feel like worthwhile human beings,” she told the Star-Tribune. “The absence of such stories leads to poor grades in school, feelings of loneliness and alienation, and low self-esteem.” Shamma is currently working on an anthology of Muslim literature directed at middle-school-age students.
Not surprisingly, the Muslim group CAIR weighed in on the issue. “It was the blue-eyed, blond-haired girl who was into cheerleading,” Minnesota CAIR president Lori Saroya told the Star-Tribune of her own experience growing up Muslim in Iowa. “There really wasn’t much I could relate to in terms of my Muslim identity.”
“There are a number of books out there focusing on Ramadan [the Muslim holy month], but they’re more targeted for younger kids. I’ve heard of some series of fiction books for junior high kids, but they are difficult to find.”
Jean Doolittle, who oversees circulating books for Minneapolis schools, tried to shoot down any suggestion of a conspiracy against Muslim literature. In her eyes, it’s simple supply and demand: “There are limited books that focus on Muslim students as part of the fabric of schools because perhaps there’s been a limited demand and a limited market. If people will buy them, publishers will produce them.”
Leah Larson, who serves as a reading specialist at Richfield Middle School, told the Star-Tribune authors would be smart to start increasing the supply: “We have tons of books about Islam. However, the fiction is harder to find. … If there are any smart American authors, they’ll start writing books like this.”
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 706 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 557 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 371 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 363 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 362 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 363 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 371 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 289 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 363 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (209)
alcarfl
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:26amWelcome to Muslim-sota, land of ten thousand mosques. That State is too close to Canada where sharia law is penetrating as we speak. Follow Australiia Prime Minister’s lead. Live under our laws/rules or GO HOME, NOW.
Report Post »Anniecat
Posted on January 4, 2011 at 12:40amIt’s why we MOVED out of the land of 10,000 taxes and no laws left behind….
Report Post »Comeandtakeit
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:26amReplace the word Muslim with Christian in this woman’s statement and see how fast the ACLU would be filing suit…
Report Post »Inuyasha
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 2:48pmEeeexactly! Before you know it the government and all stores will be shut down during Ramadan and have to work during Christmas and other Christian holidays because they are no longer recognized.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:26amin America, success and peace is about assimilation, NOT diversity.
Report Post »stmike
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:23amMuslims know what books are? Hmmm didn’t think they had a printing press back in the seventh century. But seriously, assimilate or leave.
Report Post »LindaB11
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:23amThe idea is to assimilate in to the US not appease their culture!
Report Post »KEA
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:22amAnd so it begins! Its NOT the governments job to spend our tax dollars on this kind of stuff. If they cant figure out if they can go to the prom or not they probably should stay home.
Report Post »emsawyer
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:21amWe already use taxpayer dollars here in Minnesota to build them their own schools because the school districts “cannot integrate” these people. The City of Minneapolis has admitted the same thing. Their schools come with useful foot washing stations. Isn’t that nice? And the gang activity here in Minneapolis? Over the top. The instigators? Guess who. And they have child after child after child, all the while collecting welfare. Why? Because the goal is to increase their population so that they overwhelm us. And the homes they receive from Habitat for Humanity? Trashed over and over again. I know people who inspect these new schools and homes for a living and you should hear some of the stories they tell. Right now Minnesota taxpayers are building several housing complexes in Minneapolis as low-income housing. Don’t dare to sit on a chair in the lobby. You WILL get bedbugs. The buildings are not even fully rented and already they’re infested. Guess who lives in these buildings?
I wonder what the budget is in this liberal, over-spending state for translating and translators. Staggering, I’m sure. And they sue for everything. I know people who take depositions and the main sentiment is “come straight to Minnesota and get free housing, free food, free clothing and free money. Then get a job, get hurt and sue. Save all your money to send back home so you can help finance the trips of the rest of your family coming directly to Minnesota.”
Here’s another good one. They’re Muslim, right? Don‘t believe in God and Jesus and so don’t celebrate Christmas. Guess who lines up for hours to get the free Toys for Tots at the Minneapolis Armory? I quit giving to Toys for Tots when I saw this.
And don’t even get me started on their driving habits. Scary at best. Deadly at worst.
*sigh*. I need to move out of Minnesota and especially Minneapolis.
Report Post »chiquelitz
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 1:12pmWhat a sad commentary on the state of affairs in Minneapolis, in particular the Toys for Tots story. Ironic that the Marines do all this great work, and are fighting Muslims overseas, while their bretheren are taking advantage of America’s goodwill. What I don’t comprehend is how everyone gets welfare. I’m from Canada, married an American 30 yrs. ago, and I remember signing papers that I could not ever ‘go on the dole’.
Report Post »SND97
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:21amWe need more Christian books in schools, Kids need to know you can still have fun as a Christian, concerts, Gospel Rock is outstanding. Christian kids can still watch TV, go to Movies, Bowling, skating, have friends, go to parties, have a BLAST…oh did I offend someone by using the word CHRIST in a word? as In CHRISTian
Report Post »byehlik
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:19amHow about some Christian books then? Hummm? Oh, that would violate church and state. Such hipocrosy. Stop the separation the segrigation and asimilate or get out!
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:19amThis is smart help your enemy to overrun the country. muslims everywhere want to destroy “The Great Satan” which is America and establish sharia law where we will have no freedom. This is a dumb as Mayor Bloomberg helping the 9/11 mosque to be built. Both of htese non-sensical ideas are the inherent desire to show everyone “how tolerant” the left is-IT IS NOT TOLERANCE STUPID IT IS IGNORANCE”!
Report Post »irritated1
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:16amNomoregray…Your comment was spot on.
Report Post »jburke4
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:16amMuslim books in schools are ok, but the Pledge is not because it mentions God? Separation of Church and state is good so long as it doesn’t offend people who hate us and want to kill us? I really don’t get the world we live in and the crazy upside down liberal logic that drives it.
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:48amDon’t worry the pledge will be back soon enough at this rate….
Report Post »” …..One nation under Allah, totally divided, without liberty and shiria for all”
Yikes!!!!
Rob
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:14am“WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US.” —Pogo
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:12amOmission of the Holy bible and the History of Creation makes way for perversion of the truth.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:21amEducators will find references to Muslims, great history book.
Report Post »victorymanns
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:12amhey . go home where you practice your releigon// muslim & american dont mix .
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:09amNice to see teachers openly supporting terrorism, they have been doing it for decades in the shadows. The first thing conservatives should do is defund all public education if they really want to save this nation.
Report Post »NoMoreGray
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:09am“It is extremely important for young people to read stories reflecting their ethnicity and/or religion…
Report Post »That is a familiar montra, I remember hearing it ring out every time any Christian influence in school is attacked. You know, like permission slips to say The Pledge Of Allegiance.
untameable-kate
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:07amIslam is a religion so we must not infringe on their freedom of religion. Islam is not a religion so it is ok to have materials in the library.
Report Post »If this discussion was about putting Christian materials in the library the schools would be rending their breasts over the outrage.
We must not bow to Muslims in this country. So what if there is no muslim materials in the library? Alot of cultures are not represented, suck it up *******
snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:25amKate, I have a simple idea, if these bleeding heart Progressives want to rend their breasts how about we just toss them into a pack of ravenous javalinas? Call it a campaign of ‘survival of the fittest’ for the good of both species (javalinas and humanity) PETA will be pleased, and the progressives will become compost.
Also, the javalinas will be happy, sitting on the sidelines watching the progressives tear each other apart trying to be the first to open the doors out, until they find out none of them have keys to the lock.
Report Post »BreeZee
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:07am“Poor grades. Loneliness. Alienation. Feeling worthless. Can’t relate”.
Report Post »Then go to a muslim country! I am getting dam tired of having Muslims and Islam cramed down my throat. They all want to come to America but have issues with being Americans?
moriarty70
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:31amIf I may say so, that’s a broad interpretation of “crammed down my throat”. A couple books, on the shelf of a library, purely optional for those who choose to read them. By that definition it’s being crammed down your throat just by driving past a mosque.
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 11:20am@Moriarty70-
Perhaps if the only complaint we have heard of was the lack of Muslim reading material in our public schools, the comment provided by Breezee WOULD be broadly stated. However, given all the other complaints we have heard in recent days and months (e.g. Supporters of the Muslim faith wanting to interject Sharia Law into the American judicial system, Muslims wanting special privileges by the TSA at airport security, a Mosque at GZ., shall I go on?) Breezee’s statement regarding the culture and religion is fairly stated.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 11:53am@Breezee
Have an interesting bit of info for you, a Imam friend of mine, born and raised in america and a vet of the gulf war also – He is in his words “SICK and TIRED of the administration shoving this PC swine filled garbage down the publics throat as well.” Note, I eliminated some of the more graphic words he used to describe the garbage part; he loves america, and wishes the Fed’s would just get the heck off of every citizens back.
Also, he agrees if you come to the country to be an American, you assimulate into the country, not the other way around.
Report Post »BeckIsNuts
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:07amWRONG WRONG WRONG. Assimilate or go back where you came from.
Report Post »RJinCO
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 11:44amExactly! America has a culture unique in the world. It is developed from our love of liberty, our sense of personal responsibility, and our understanding of the inherent dangers of government. Our president lacks this understanding, as do the progressives. If you want to be American, understand and accept our culture or leave.
Report Post »MBA
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:07amIf the schools are going to teach muslim stuff, they have to allow the Bible and other religious books as well. The liberal educators can’t have it both ways, Either you separate church and state or you accept American religion as well as the others.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:16amUnfortunately, the liberal educators CAN and do have it both ways. They separate Islam from muslim. Islam is the religion, and you’ll never hear them say anything about bringing in books about islamists. However, since they inerpret ‘muslim” to be strictly a culture, apparently not based on religous beliefs, it’s ok to mix it into the school system.
“It all depends on what the meaning of ”is” is. “
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:23am@Rouge
Is that the same line of interpretation Clinton used when saying “I did not have sex with that woman?”
It all is a matter of personal view.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:23amNo one said anything about teaching these as subjects, they’re only talking about books on the shelves in the library. And also, at least in the school I went to, the Bible was also on the shevles for anyone who needed/wanted it for whatever reason.
Report Post »belleharbor
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:05amYea looks like its worked in there country,where is that free country yea what i thought you are non freedom islam country there is none because you are a bad bad bad group.
Report Post »justice
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:05amLeave the Muslim books in the Mosque.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:03amAnother perfect example of Obamas muslum outreach, talk peace with them and they will never do anything to us, PC garbage going on across the board. If they want fiction on the muslums, just look to the white house and the progressives idiotic policies.
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 1:50pmThe need to add Walid Shoebat videos to educate the Muslims about the real meanings of Islam
Report Post »http://www.therightscoop.com/walid-shoebat-on-being-taught-to-hate-jews
http://www.therightscoop.com/walid-shoebat-on-bible-prophecy
starman70
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:03amSo we can have more Honor Killings like we had in the previous story. These “Educators” are real geniuses. The schools should be educating Moslem Immigrints to become Americans.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:08amThat’s a great point, they should have more books for all nationalities to better assimilate to American values and cultures, rather than to try and change Americans to assimilate to the cultures and values of other nationalities. Seems we are always trying to bend over backwards to facilitate others at the expense of our own country.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:08amWhat would their reaction be to someone requesting more Christian books in our school libraries?
Report Post »EgoBrain
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:13amThis is the perfect example of pro home schooling.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:15amThe more I see this administrations “muslum outreach’ junk going on, especially where the muslum world is given preferential treatment over our nations own citizens in all things, then the more I feel it is part of a set up; turn the nation against the muslum faith and world, distracting us with the usual smoke and mirrors while the final hammer blows will fall at one time, or rapid succession to end the land in a scorched earth policy.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
Report Post »oldguy48
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:19amWhatever happened to the Lib’s nonsense of “seperation of church and state”? Oh, yes, that only applies to Christian teachings.
Report Post »It is shocking how far the marxists have subverted our system.
untameable-kate
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:21amMuslims, illegal aliens, anyone but white Christians will warrant more respect and attention from the libs in this country.
Report Post »hkyfan36
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:25amI hear there are some good pie recipies in the new books. Watch out congress.
On a serious note…. I like the new American buzz phrase “Melt or be melted!”
I agree that all muslems are not terriosts but not all chicken are strips either. Still tasty but a little harder to dip into ranch.
Might I digress like our education system has. School is the the parrent the councler the relion it is a place to learn about the 3 R’s. Now its teaching children just 1 R Rebelion. Defund public schools. And maybe we should be having body armor fundraisers now that bake sales are banned.
Report Post »mdlwoods
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:30amI am about ready to quit my job and home school my grandchildren! Don’t know how we will eat, but….
Report Post »taskmaster78
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:31amNo, we shouldn’t be given the only option to “home school” this is bs, a muslim is not a race it’s a religion and is not entitled to this treatment. The ACLU should be all over this, I being a Christian did not relate to their beliefs while I was in school, the debate is not cultural it’s religious and I for one am not willing to give into this garbage. It’s time to put these “educators” on notice. Your job is to teach, and your political views are to be kept out of the arena of education.
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:34amGive them directions to a country where they won’t feel so “Lonely”..
To quote the greatest modern president “We will be sitting on the docks ,,,,Waiving Bye Bye”….
Report Post »JKN
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:41amGreat… So while our “educators” tear down the Lord’s Prayer, our Pledge of Allegiance, true American history and exceptionalism, and our traditions such as the celebration of Christmas, they build up the traditions that please Muslims…
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:52amProgressive want Christian topics REMOVED bases on SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE…. How the hell are Muslim topics being introduced not the same thing?
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 10:57amNearly 70% of Muslims are illiterate, why would our children need more of their books. The fact is, they come here for OUR education, not their culture.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 11:08amOh come on, I am certain that these books do not have honor killing in them – use some sense by the way. http://maboulette.wordpress.com
grandmaof5
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 11:38amProgressive education breeds progressive educators, not smart since they dummied the system years ago, just progressive. And before feathers get ruffled, this does not speak to all educators.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 11:56am“There really wasn’t much I could relate to in terms of my Muslim identity.”
Maybe she should have been looking for an American identity instead. Think maybe that’s the whole problem here?
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 11:58am@ Walkwithme… Of course there’s no honor killing in them… why would they want to include anything bad? Better to promote all the feelgood BS (aka half truths). Bet you think From Somalia with Love is just a great book for understanding, when in Somolia they’re teaching their kids to kill us all. Get real. Not to promote Christianity, but I can just see the liberal backlash if the books they wanted to add promoted the good aspects of Christianity or Judaism. Get real… I want my kids educated in a public school… not indoctrinated.
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 12:23pmHow about NO Muslim-based books anywhere in the school system! They can’t talk about Jesus Christ or Christianity as a whole, but Muslim is ALLOWED? What kind of BS is the Progressives trying to pull here??? If there is no religion allowed, then SHUT THE HELL UP ABOUT MUSLIMS! This country was founded on CHRISTIAN philosophy, NOT MUSLIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 12:42pmAnother reason why I have no children. Who could ever allow their child to attend a government learning center, I’ll never understand.
How did we ever let the education system be taken over by these mouth breathers?
How about we non-biasly teach them about our own history for starters. Screw the animal Muslims, they should feel lucky that we havent begun hunting them…….yet.
Report Post »hkyfan36
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 12:50pmPoor grades. Loneliness. Alienation. Feeling worthless …. Is this not what the muslims are taught how to treat the women. Why in the world would you need more books.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 12:57pmyet another reason I homeschool…what is going on in Minnesota…first franken with his prison voters and now this…didn’t realize my birthplace was so libral…sure has changed (I guess) since the days of visiting my grandparents on the farm…and speaking of how muslim’s are protrayed in our public school system…the first four stories we read in literatue were ALL middle eastern stories about good and compassionate muslims…i.e..ali’s stew..the sword of damascus..etc…but in our history books…christians are protrayed as pushing their religion on the indian and taking everything in the New World because they were white and christian…not my view, the schools view…so its a good thing I homeschool, so then my daughter can get both sides of the story…
Report Post »oldoldtimer
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 1:00pmUntamable kate: That is the idea. the left wants to recruit them because they know they will turn to rioting and violence quicker than white chrisitans. They pander to their radicalism and try to develop it for their own power againt the people.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 1:51pmWe have to remember where these ******** are coming from. They hate Christians and want more allies that hate Christians. Muslims are their natural allies and Judeao-Christian’s natural enemy. This is a bad example but if you had a certain insect you wanted to get rid of you might increase the population of the insect’s natural predator to eliminate the insect. ******* commies think they can handle the Muslims AFTER they first get rid of Christians.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 1:56pmWait a mintue are these the same people who spout off with “separation of Church and State” and have run Christianity out of the schools? Here’s a novel idea why not teach kids Math, Science, Reading etc and leave out the indoctrination of Islam.
Report Post »DMcPher316
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 2:22pmI agree, most students don’t even know the history of THIS country, why allow more muslim brainwashing at school. If they have muslim students, shouldn’t the parents be teaching them about their religion and heritage? Another step to making us muslim by people we are supposed to trust with our kids….if you live her…this country first…teach them that.
Report Post »TheGoverness
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 2:36pm@Egobrain-
Report Post »Which is exactly why I am a governess with an academically rigorous cirricula. :D
TheGoverness
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 2:39pmMDLWoods – I don’t know your specific job, but I don’t think you would have to necessarily quit your job to homeschool your grandchildren. I would be happy to correspond with you on the ease and relatively small expense of homeschooling.
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 3:55pm“Does Muslim culture clash with American culture?
Any “educator” that cannot answer this correctly needs their cert yanked.
Try making a case that it does not.
Report Post »prage2001
Posted on January 4, 2011 at 1:50amSo Federal money was spent on a religious book in a public school!? Where is the ACLU screaming about seperation of church and state?
Report Post »CYCLONE
Posted on January 4, 2011 at 7:46pmWtf
Report Post »