History Alive! The Medieval World

Submitted by Cindy Ross (United States), Feb 16, 2008 at 09:58

Earlier this month I filed a formal challenge to the History Alive! The Medieval World textbook used at White Hill Middle School in Marin County, California. Although there are several reasons, my primary concern is that curriculum material is presented via the HAMW text (and accompanying Interactive Student Notebook) in an overtly religious manner that not only is inappropriate for a public school, but does not comport with actual state standards for seventh grade history relative to study of the civilizations of Islam.

Recently, I came across an article I forwarded to the school district regarding "Dawa" in public schools. In case you are not familiar with the term, Dawa means, "to invite non-Muslims to accept the truth of Islam":

Click here: DawaNet—to link • to serve: Dawa in public schools:

"The Bottom Line. We should use every opportunity to sensitize non-Muslim peers and school staff to Islam and to establish an environment in which everywhere a non-Muslim turns, he notices Islam portrayed in a positive way, is influenced by it and eventually accepts Islam with Allah's guidance, Insha Allah (if God wills)."

Apparently some of the staff at the school are under the impression that I do not want my own child learning about different cultures or religions. Nothing could be further than the truth. However, while I believe that everyone should have the right to practice (or not) their religion freely and without persecution, I also believe it is unacceptable for children to be exposed to religious proselytizing at school. Our children should not only not be "influenced" -- wittingly or not -- to accept Islam (or any other religion), they should be protected from such "influence" in our public schools.

Cindy Ross

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