totallygeeked -> totallygeeked general -> School chooses Ramadan song with the words 'Allahu Akbar' to be performed in Arabic during annual holiday concert Read
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TOPIC: School chooses Ramadan song with the words 'Allahu Akbar' to be performed in Arabic during annual holiday concert Read
PUBLISHED: 16:55 EST, 17 December 2015 | UPDATED: 17:15 EST, 17 December 2015
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Parents in one Minnesota school district are in an uproar after learning that an upcoming holiday concert would feature a song that includes the words 'Allahu Akbar' - a traditional Muslim saying meaning 'God is great'.
The Blaine High School choir will also perform Jewish and Christian songs during the event Thursday night, but it is the musical composition dedicated to the Muslim holiday of Ramadan that is not sitting well with some members of the community.
The song, titled 'Eid un Sa'Eid,' is set to be performed by choir members in Arabic and English, including the phrase ‘Allahu Akbar.
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Song choice questioned: Parents in Blaine, Minnesota, are in an uproar after learning that an upcoming holiday concert would feature the Ramadan-inspired song 'Eid un Sa'Eid' that includes the words 'Allahu Akbar.'
The scandal surrounding the Blaine choir director’s song choice erupted sometime last week after the parents of a ninth-grade choir member posted on Facebook the lyrics to 'Eid un Sa'Eid,' reported the station WCCO.
Several commenters reacted with indignation to the inclusion of the Ramadan-inspired song in the singing group’s repertoire.
One user reportedly wrote: 'No child should be forced to sing a song about the Muslims and the religion of hatred.'
LYRICS TO 'EID UN SA'EID' BY ZAIN BHIKHA
Ramadan has come and gone
Eid has dawned upon us
Thank You Allah for this blessed day
It's a time of happiness, a time of joy
Thank You Allah for this blessed day
Eid-un Sa'eed-un
Yawm-un farhaan-un
Yawm-un jameel-un
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed-un
Yawm-un jameel-un
Yawm-un farhaan-un
Eid-un Sa'eed
All over the world
Under the big-blue sky
Muslims unite to worship Allah
It's a time of brotherhood, a time of peace
Muslims are singing praises to Allah
Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar
La Ilaaha Illa-Allahu
Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar wa Lillahil Hamd
Families are gathering
Remembering Allah
And that His Love is the Greatest by far
All Praise for You Allah
All Thanks to You
The joy of Eid comes only from You
Eid-un Sa'eed-un
Yawm-un farhaan-un
Yawm-un jameel-un
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed-un
Yawm-un jameel-un
Yawm-un farhaan-un
Eid-un Sa'eed
This day of rejoicing
This day of peace
Did only You Make for those who believe
Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar
La Ilaaha Illa-Allahu
Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar wa Lillahil Hamd
Eid-un Sa'eed-un
Yawm-un farhaan-un
Yawm-un jameel-un
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed-un
Yawm-un jameel-un
Yawm-un farhaan-un
Eid-un Sa'eed
Ramadan has come and gone
Eid has dawned upon us
Thank You Allah for this blessed day
Eid-un Sa'eed-un
Yawm-un farhaan-un
Yawm-un jameel-un
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed-un
Yawm-un jameel-un
Yawm-un farhaan-un
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed
Eid-un Sa'eed
The song opens with the lines: 'Ramadan has come and gone/Eid has dawned upon us/ Thank you Allah for this blessed day.'
This year, the month of holy month of Ramadan began on June 17 and concluded on July 17.
A parent at the school told WCCO that in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, which were carried out by Muslim extremists, having children sing a song glorifying Allah would be 'insensitive.'
Officials with the Anoka-Hennepin School District released a statement saying they have received about a dozen complaints concerning the song dedicated to Ramadan.
Any member of the Blaine High School (pictured) choir who doesn't want to sing 'Eid un Sa'Eid' during the upcoming holiday concert could opt out
‘Songs are not performed in a worship setting or to promote religion,’ the statement read, ‘but rather in [an] educational setting where students are learning and performing music.’
However, district officials noted that any student who does not wish to perform ‘Eid un Sa’Eid’ could opt out without being penalized.
The Arabic song will be performed during an audience participation portion of the recital, along with such Christian holiday staples as ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Away in the Manger.’
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I remember being a kid in church and hearing preachers and evangelists talk about the last days. How the Bible was full of things to come.
Now you open the Bible and it's like reading today's newspaper.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
It does say they are going to perform some Christian and Jewish songs, also. IF that is the case and IF kids can truly opt out, then I have less of an issue with it.
I just find it hilarious that if it were JUST Christian songs that were to be performed, even if there was an opt out--people would still freak the fvck out.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
I have no issue if the program is multi-religious and there's an option for the kids to opt out. I only have a problem if it's either mono-religious or there's no possibility for the kids to opt out.
According to the article it was/is multi-religious with the opt-out option. I see no problem here. If my songs can be sung, why can't theirs?
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