sigh...us Muslims just cannot get any good press these days...not sure if there are other muslims on the boards here, so I'll do my best to argue back..
So it seems there are two issues at play here:
1. Separation of church and state, or specifically in this situation, use of public facilities for private religious accomodation.
2. Islamic prayer rules regarding men and women praying together
I'll address 2. first. On the assumption that 1. is a non-issue or has been resolved to the publics satisfaction, I dont think that #2 is the business of non-muslims. You have the right to voice an opinion on the matter, as we have freedoms in this country, but to try and have those who dont subscribe to a religions following dictate how to organize prayers is absurd. The quran and teachings of the prophet set out how things are to be arranged, and the arrangement at the school is in keeping with these authorities. I'm not going to go into detail about why women have to pray behind men, (as I'm sure folks arent going to accept any explanation), but regarding menstruating females, in Islam women are not supposed to pray when menstruating (they get an exemption of sorts) so that is why those girls would not be involved in the praying aspect.
The obvious bigger issue here is #1.
Now im probably biased, so I dont really see the big problem. This school has a large muslim contingent that was skipping classes to go to nearby mosque. For safety and education (ie, to minimize class time missed) purposes, Valley Park runs the prayer sessions in the cafeteria to make it easier on the students. As it happens, Jewish and Chrsitian prayers are focused on weekends (If I understand it correctly), so there is not much occasion for them to get similar treatment. But if they would like to organize a school week prayer session they should also have the ability to do so.
I dont really think the Muslims here are getting special treatment. I assume that if the Hindu group makes similar requests they would be accomodated similarly. This isnt a zero sum game where one group wins and one group loses.
As it relates to imams and sermons, I think that because it is a public school, the Imam should be screened by the Ministry. Just because there are one or two extreme preachers (the Jamaican that came here during pride week comes to mind), does not mean all, or even most Imams and preachers are like that.
If you really want to separate church and state, start funding Muslim (and other religious) schools under the same rules and guidelines as Catholic schools. Most muslims cant afford to send their children to private muslim schools bc the fees are so much higher due to lack of similar tax funding. Or, if that is unacceptable, remove the double standard allowing Catholic school funding. I personally dont have a preference either way, as long as all religious groups get the same treatment.
