Primary School Visit to Mosque

[poo at Paul's]

Wife just returned from picking up daughter from Brownies. Some parents whose kids go to another local school were discussing a letter in the book bag tonight about a visit to a Mosque for year 2 to 4 (6 to 10?).
Letter says that girls must have their heads covered and wear trousers or leggings (not tights) under their skirts. Also will have to remove footwear, as will the boys.

All to be expected if going to a Mosque I suppose, but should kids and especially girls be asked by their school at the age of 6 to 10 to be making this trip? After all, the religion worshipped is not exactly "inclusive" from a gender point of view and it would appear often discriminatory toward women and girls.
This is a "C of E" school, although is a small rural school that happens to be "c of E" rather than what you may call a "faith school" as such. I understand they have various denominations there, including a handful of Muslim kids, and teach about various religions, as does my daughter's school. But there has been no planned visits to Budhists Temples or Catholic churches it would seem from the conversations this evening!

Trip is being part funded by the PTA also. The letter asks allows for permission to be refused. If it were your kids, what would you think and would you let them go? Son or daughter?

A google suggests some case last year of parents saying their kids would be at risk of "being shot" if they went to a Mosque, a pretty far fetched reason, I am sure we would all agree, but should we be allowing or kids to go and see how women and girls have to behave differently? If the whole idea is to promote tolerance, should the Mosque not bend it's rules to allow all the kids in in their normal school uniform? Or does tolerance only work one way..!?

I have put this in News Politics etc as it would appear quite topical based on recent events.

[driverrob]

I think the school may be going over the top on this. Being under 11, the girls are almost certainly pre-pubescent (i.e. have not started their periods) so would not need to cover their legs or heads.
My wife and I have visited mosques in many middle eastern countries and, as visitors not there to pray, she has never been required to cover her head or legs.

[Quhet]

When I was at primary school and in about year 3 IIRC, we were taken to a Hindu Temple and a Synagogue.
All very interesting I think it's important to learn about other faith/customs even if you don't believe in it

Don't see anything wrong with asking the kids to dress appropriately, it is their a house of worship after all.

[oldcynic]

My two youngest have visited Mosque, Hindu Temple, Church, possibly a Synagogue with their C of E school and I have no problem with that; however they have never had to abide by any dress code beyond their regular school uniform. I believe they removed their shoes where appropriate though.

It sounds like the school or the Mosque have chosen to be difficult and someone needs to have a quiet word.

[poo at Paul's]

I agree to a degree on the dress sense to show respect, but let's not forget that women are discriminated against by followers of this religion. And this dress code is part of this is it not? I mean, could the boys go in in their shorts?
The head scarf thing is only for the girls of course.

Oh, this isn't a local mosque, either. It is about 60 miles away, so is a full day out, busses etc.
And point made is that they've done various religions in the last 2 years and never visited any other "houses of worship".

Edited by poo at Paul's on Friday 15th January 22:35

[t400ble]

No thanks. Wouldn't send my child.

[Evanivitch]

I remember wearing a kippah when visiting a synagogue as a kid, thought it was quite interesting to "dress up" tbh.

I also remember being turned away from a church on a school trip in France because my Man Utd fleece had a devil on it.

As much as I don't agree with religion, they do have the right to request a dress code of those visiting, and most likely this was written by the former Theology student that had limited career options. ..


Also, let's not forget that women aren't equal in the Catholic church before we start throwing equality statements about.

[Troubleatmill]

Wouldn't be sending my kids either.

Why teach them segregation etc etc

[Mr_B]

Do you know it's not a case of hypersensitivity on the part of the school and not the Mosque ?

[0000]

poo at Paul's said:

Trip is being part funded by the PTA also. The letter asks allows for permission to be refused. If it were your kids, what would you think and would you let them go? Son or daughter?

Son, gender of the child makes little odds to me. I'd refuse permission and I'd possibly question the motivation. Quite happy to talk to him about it when I think he's old enough though.

[poo at Paul's]

Evanivitch said:

I remember wearing a kippah when visiting a synagogue as a kid, thought it was quite interesting to "dress up" tbh.

I also remember being turned away from a church on a school trip in France because my Man Utd fleece had a devil on it.

As much as I don't agree with religion, they do have the right to request a dress code of those visiting, and most likely this was written by the former Theology student that had limited career options. ..


Also, let's not forget that women aren't equal in the Catholic church before we start throwing equality statements about.

I'm sure the dress thing would be my concern directly. But the way it targets the girls only, at such a young age, and the discrimination that the religion shows toward women, would probably tip my decision to a "no".

[Troubleatmill]

poo at Paul's said:

I'm sure the dress thing would be my concern directly. But the way it targets the girls only, at such a young age, and the discrimination that the religion shows toward women, would probably tip my decision to a "no".

If you are going to oppress your woman... start the process early.

[Evanivitch]

poo at Paul's said:

I'm sure the dress thing would be my concern directly. But the way it targets the girls only, at such a young age, and the discrimination that the religion shows toward women, would probably tip my decision to a "no".

So you'd deprive your child the opportunity to learn about a religion for themselves? You'd rather impose your own prejudices on them from an early age?

[Beati Dogu]

Unless you go to one of the big old mosques abroad with their incredible tiling and architecture, there's not much to see. Other than the subtle brainwashing, I can't see the point of going to one in the UK.

[poo at Paul's]

Actually, it gets sort of worse! Apparently they are going to an outdoor woodland theme park place afterwards, so anyone who's parents refuse will miss out on that!! Trying to blackmail the parents maybe?

[Troubleatmill]

poo at Paul's said:

Actually, it gets sort of worse! Apparently they are going to an outdoor woodland theme park place afterwards, so anyone who's parents refuse will miss out on that!! Trying to blackmail the parents maybe?

Take the kids out of school for the day - and take them to Alton Towers etc etc

[0000]

Evanivitch said:

So you'd deprive your child the opportunity to learn about a religion for themselves? You'd rather impose your own prejudices on them from an early age?

As opportunities go... it's a bit of a st one.

[poo at Paul's]

Evanivitch said:

So you'd deprive your child the opportunity to learn about a religion for themselves? You'd rather impose your own prejudices on them from an early age?

a) I see it as protecting her.
b) Why should I let strangers 60 miles away impose "THEIR" prejudices on her? (BTW, it isn't Rotheram!?)

I'm not saying she cannot learn about the religion, in school as she does already and these kids from the other school already do. And she will make her own mind up about it one day.

We are not religious at all in our house.

[Thorodin]

That has ring of excessive zeal by an over-enthusiastic proselytizing educator. Or teacher with a career plan.

[Sheets Tabuer]

Since having a daughter I've become a feminist.

I will teach my daughter she is every bit as good as a man and judging by me she's probably better, she is not second class, she does not have to hide, she does not have to cover up unless she wants to. She can tell men to fk off, she does not need to ask a mans permission.

If she wants to visit religious institutions she is welcome when she makes up her mind to do so.

I'd tell them to stick the letter.