A Muslim’s Plea to Pull His Kids from Music Class Was Rightly Denied by a Toronto School District

[rug]

September 10, 2016
by Hemant Mehta

The Toronto District School Board in Canada requires elementary school students to take a music class, a move that one Muslim parent, Mohammad Nouman Dasu, believes goes against his religion.

He’s spent years trying to get his three children out of the class, but the District would only offer accommodations (like allowing the kids to clap their hands instead of singing or playing instruments). They weren’t going to be exempted from learning about music entirely.

So now, a member of Dasu’s family will pick the kids up during music class and drop them back at school when classes resume.

Mr. Dasu, a Koran teacher who sometimes leads prayers at Scarborough’s Jame Abu Bakr Siddique mosque, says he has led the fight on behalf of parents. He has consulted with national Islamic bodies, and requested a letter from the leader of his mosque.

“We here believe that music is haram (forbidden). We can neither listen to it, nor can we play a role in it,” said the mosque’s imam, Kasim Ingar.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/09/10/a-muslims-plea-to-pull-his-kids-from-music-class-was-rightly-denied-by-a-toronto-school-district/

[3catwoman3]

1. When I watch toddlers instinctively...

...move to music, typically with delighted facial expressions, I find it sad that any religion bans the enjoyment of music. What a deprived existence.

[Igel]

4. I watched my kid eat dirt.

And later he managed to chow down on dog biscuits.

He also would from time to time put his hand in his diaper (for what reason, I know not) and a minute or two later suck his thumb.

Typically with delighted facial expression.

If you want to argue that what kids do instinctively must be right, I look forward to the FDA's recommendations on the proper ways to serve dirt. Or revising the guidelines to say that fingering your crotch and sucking your thumb is good hygiene.

Music's good or it isn't, but this isn't an argument for or against its goodness (or lack thereof).

[jonno99]

5. Good point. I've never subcribed to the whole "wisdom of the children" argument.

Admiring the innocence of children? Well, that is another thing entirely.

[3catwoman3]

8. "If you want to argue that what kids do instinctively must be right..."

I was making no such broad brush argument. The other behaviors could be deleterious and there would be reasons to put a stop to them.

I see no harm from enjoying music.

[Cartoonist]

2. Mo must have been tone deaf

And dogs are friends

[Jim__]

3. I realize this isn't the US, but I can't help wondering, if it were ...

... what side of the question our religious liberty advocates would be on. If they truly support religious liberty to the extent they claim, they should be on Dasu's side; but, I doubt they would be.

[jonno99]

6. I would be surprised if, in the US, they are not able to "opt out". Though

I imagine it probably varies by district.

[rug]

7. I also think under U.S. law they can opt out, especially if their mosque has adopted this practice.

I wonder if mandatory music classes are common in elementary schools. It wasn't for me, a long time ago.

[struggle4progress]

9. There being no compelling state interest involved, I don't think US courts would compel a student

to attend a music class, if the student had a religious objection

[elleng]

10. I consulted with my Muslim friend,

and he explained:

'In Hanfi sect, the one practiced by Saudi rulers, of in Salfi, folk who think, and practice that Music, the muse of Great Dionysia lead of other major sins.'

This is clearly not the case throughout Islam.

[rug]

11. Thanks for the info.

There are a few Christian groups who don't use music in services but I don't know any that eschew music completely.