CHATHAM, N.J. — A federal civil rights lawsuit filed Jan. 23 in New Jersey District Court accuses middle school administrators and teachers of forcing students to view Islamic propaganda, including an explicit call to convert to Islam.
The lawsuit alleges several violations of students’ First Amendment rights and was filed by the Thomas More Law Center, a nonprofit Christian law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on behalf of Libby Hilsenrath and her minor son. The lawsuit centers on videos and lessons in a middle school World Cultures and Geography class. One video depicts two cartoon boys talking about the five pillars of Islam and ends with a slide referring viewers to a United Kingdom-based website and email address where they can order an information pack about Islam. Another video presents Islamic beliefs and ends with the prayer “May God help us all find the true faith, Islam. Ameen.” The video also contains excerpts from the Quran stating that Islam is “perfected” religion and the only religion for mankind.
Students also were required to complete a fill-in-the-blank version of the Islamic conversion creed and prayer. The worksheet contained a link to a webpage that explains “the ease with which they could convert to become Muslim,” the lawsuit says.
The study of Christianity and Judaism, both developed in the Middle East and North Africa, were not covered in the class, the lawsuit says. (TAB)
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