Case
Friday Prayer

Mohammad joined my fifth grade classroom in mid-September. It has been about five months since he arrived, and he has been doing a great job on all subjects. He does not cause any discipline problems. He and his family are Muslims. My only problem with Mohammad comes every Friday. The 5th grade team at my school does weekly testing on Fridays to monitor student progress in Reading and Math. Therefore, we need all the students at school on Friday. Mohammad's father wants to take him to Friday prayer every week. I did some research and found out that the Friday prayer is a special prayer in the Muslim world. I want to respect their religion, but because of the Friday prayer, Mohammad has been missing the weekly tests. I talked to my colleagues to entertain the idea of changing the time of the test, but it does not seem possible because of the special area courses and other obligations we have on Fridays. So, my only other option is to ask Mohammad's father. I do not know how to go about this? Should I ask him? What if he says his son must go to the Friday prayer every week? What do I do then?

Posted on: 11/19/12 | Views: 1857
Solution #1
Making reasonable accomodations for persons of faith is understandable and probably required by law in most states. It is reasonable to release Mohammad for prayer and it is equally reasonable that Mohammed work out time for testing on your schedule. If that can be arranged during study hall, lunch time, recess time or during an after school program, that is between you and the student. The responsibility of taking the tests still remains with Mohammad and his father.
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Solution #2
This is a very touchy subject. I think you definitely need to have a conference with the boys father. Explain to him that while his religion is very important, so are his academics. Maybe ask him if the boy can stay late on Thursday or possibly come in early on Friday morning to get testing done. This would require you to come in early or stay late one day but it might be the only option. You could possibly suggest that the boy stays at school for his prayer time and you could find a quiet place the boy could go during his prayer time and that would eliminate some of the time used to drive to prayer and back. Both his religion and academics are important and both you and the father are going to have to compromise and find a middle ground that satisfies his academics and religion.
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Solution #3
I would first have a meeting with Mohammad's dad to see if there is another time that Mohammad could go to prayer. Like maybe after school on Fridays. If he says no, I will suggest that Mohammad stay after school and take the test or take it during his recess time on Fridays. During the meeting, I would let Mohammad's dad know that I understand Religion is important, but so is taking test.
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Solution #4
Maybe you could ask what time prayer is on Fridays. Is it all day or is it something where he could leave early or come in a little late? That way he is there at least a part of the day for testing. I would explain that you want to be respectful of their religion, but that school is very important too. I think the only way to keep both sides happy is to find a happy balance in the middle. It might be wise to speak to administration about this prior to talking with the parent, just so they have a heads up on the situation. Maybe they even have some suggestions of what might be the best way to go about it.
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Solution #5
Explain to his father that it is important for his son's education that he (the son) be present on Fridays when the tests are held. Perhaps they can go at a different time on Fridays. Or have Mohammad take the test first thing that day. If his father will not budge on the time and date then simply make the exception for Mohammad and let him take the test on a different day. This is a mountain out of a mole hill.

I would encourage a meeting with the parents and confirm that his education is number 1 and he does need to be here Fridays. It is a school day, and he needs to be present. If he continuously misses Fridays he will get poor grades because of it.

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Solution #6
That is tough and a touchy subject. It would be wise to have a meeting with the boy's parents and a school administrator. Perhaps another time can be worked out to take the tests. Perhaps Thursday or the following Monday. If he doesn't have to be out all day Friday for prayers than perhaps another time of the day on Friday would be ok. Either way, he must be allowed to go to his prayers because of the strong religious conviction.
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Solution #7
I would first have a conference with Mohammad's father about the situation of his son missing the weekly exams. If his father states that their family has to attend the Friday prayers. I would then ask could I meet with Mohammad after school on either Thursday or Friday because I am concerned about him failing my class. If none of these ideas solve the situation I would then allow Mohammad to take his tests on Thursday sometime during class. I would want to respect their belief while making sure Mohammad is learning.
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Solution #8
The first thing to do is to alert Mohammad's dad that he is missing a test every Friday. It is possible that the test can be scheduled at a different time than prayer time. It is also possible that prayer time can be done at a different time on Friday. If there is no way to avoid the test conflicting with prayer time, Mohammad can be assessed in a different way. The Friday test is not the only way to check his progress.
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Solution #9
You should have Mohammad father come in for a conference. You first should let him know how will Mohammad is doing in your class. Then you let him know to you respect his religious belifes and that you have tried to work it out to test Mohammad other then on Friday but it was not possible and politly ask him what he would suggest, hopefully if he is concern about his son education he will chose to have him in class on Friday.
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Solution #10
I would speak to admin to find a way to fulfill his friday prayer and his test. If you are able to, I would have him test the day before fridays
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Solution #11
Could he arrive early on Monday mornings (perhaps during breakfast) to take the test?
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Solution #12
I would definitely have a meeting with Mohammad's father to discuss working out a plan to ensure Mohammad will be able to have this testing done. Explain to his father, while also being respect of their religion, that his son's attendance is very important for his education. Ask his father if their is another time that he can go to prayer and if not explain that since their are sharing his school time, maybe Mohammad could share some of his spare time to come in either early on Friday of come after prayer in order to get these tests done.
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Solution #13
Religion is a touchy subject for many people. The best way to go about finding a solution to this problem is to be respectful of the father's initial wishes and approaching the issue from the standpoint of trying work out a time for Mohammad to take his tests that works for both him and you. Maybe during recess or after school on Thursday? This way, you do not offend his father and there is a chance that he will change his mind about taking him to Friday prayer if there is no time that works.
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Solution #14
You just need to tell Mohammad's father that when it comes to missing so many days of class his child needs to be set at the same standards as other children in the class. I'm sure the school has an attendance policy, and if they don't they should. It's important to explain to Mohammad's father the amount of work the child is missing and that you are having to set aside additional time just for the child to take tests. You should treat him as the rest of the students in the class and don't make special exceptions for attendance.
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Solution #15
I think if you explain the situation and the fact that you had tried to work around their religious beliefs, Mohammad's father may be willing to work with you on the issue. It is obvious that you are trying to be culturally sensitive and cooperative with the Friday prayer and hopefully his father will see this. Maybe they could still go on Friday just at a different time. Could Mohammad be tested separately at a different time instead of moving the entire testing time? Asking his father for help on this matter can establish a relationship with him and make him more willing to work with you. This will show him that you care about his son, both academically and when it comes to his culture.
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Solution #16
I do not believe you are overstepping any boundaries by talking to Mohammad's father. If his father says that Mohammad must go to the Friday prayer every week, see if they offer it at different times. If not, then I would go back to my colleagues and explain that Mohammad is required to go to Friday prayer for religious purposes and that he will have to be accommodated as far as taking the test. There should be someone who can administer/monitor the test for Mohammad during lunch or recess.
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Solution #17
I think that being in a new culture, Muhammed's father expects to have to make some necessary adjustments and changes. It sounds as if you are being truly considerate of his religion and that will mean a lot to Muhammed and his father. There has to be some way to work around his religious beliefs as I am sure his son's education means a lot to him as well.
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Solution #18
You should inform the parent that Mohammad takes Tests every Friday. If he wants his child to succeed and pass the class, then its necessary that he is present to take the exams. You should explain to him that you understand his religion and respect his prayer, however this is interfering with his son's grades. Also, you should not have to change the date of the test just because Mohammad is not able to take it, this is unfair to other students.
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Solution #19
I completely understand where your struggle is coming from. You're not necessarily concerned with the fact that he's praying just that he is missing his tests. Also, changing the tests for every child just for one doesn't sounds very reasonable. I think I would talk to Mohammad's father and see if you could make other arrangements for Mohammad to take his test at another time, this will allow him to still attend Friday prayer and take his tests. Though it may be a small hassle if you have to stay after or come early but maybe you could squeeze in his test throughout the day at another time.
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Solution #20
I think that you are doing a great job looking out for Mohammad. I too would talk to his father. I would explain the situation thouroughly so that his father understands that you do truly care about what's best for his son. If his father still refuses to send him on Friday maybe you all can work out some type of intervention plan and arrange his tests on another day or possibly before or after school. Your willingness to work with Mohammad shows that you are being culturally sensitive and you do care about your students and their customs.
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