Parents Claim Discrimination Against Christian Students

Some Mason residents are claiming their school district is discriminating against Christian students, and giving special treatment to Muslim students.

The accusations came after office space was made available to two students who were observing Ramadan.

District leaders said they set aside the space so Muslim students who were fasting for Ramadan didn’t have to be in the cafeteria during lunchtime.

They said the students could have prayed in that room if they wanted to.

Some say that decision is favoring one religion over another.

Sharon Poe and Mason School Board Member Jennifer Miller said public schools like Mason High School are forcing Christianity out of the hallways.

Examples they give include the fact that Easter break is now called Spring break.

And nativity scenes are also not allowed on school grounds.

They claim that Christian students are being discriminated against.

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“I want to make sure that it is being fair for every religious group in the school. We can’t stipulate that’s what’s good for one is not good for another. This is a public education facility.”

District leaders said parents of two Muslim students requested the space, and the law requires them to accommodate the request.

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“We just want to be respectful of all of our students’ faith traditions and knowing that students need to feel welcome and comfortable in order to be successful learners.”

Shakila Ahmad is a member of the Mason Diversity Council.

“Legally and morally there’s absolutely to me, no reason why people should be up in arms about that. I’m just totally baffled in a way.”

“There should be no reason people of other faiths should object as long as their children aren’t being asked to pray.”

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