I just became aware today of a controversy
brewing because the Blaine High School choir sang a song at their concert this
past Thursday that had Arabic words, including the phrase “Allahu Akbar,” which
means “God is great.”
I learned this information by reading an
article on WCCO-TV’s web site. http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/12/17/parents-question-choice-to-sing-allahu-akbar-at-holiday-concert/#.VnSRuWfUoJs.facebook
The title of the article on the web site is: “Parents Question Choice To Sing ‘Allahu
Akbar’ At Holiday Concert.”
As a parent of a Blaine high school 9th grader
I don’t question this choice at all. Singing
a song at a choir concert is not an endorsement of a religion. The choir
concert is obviously not a religious worship service. For me singing this song is an issue of
respect. My daughter doesn’t sing in the
choir, but I would have been proud to have her sing this song. Have we become so insecure that we can't sing
a song about our Muslim friends?
As a pastor of a church in Blaine I'm proud
that the Blaine High school choir sings songs from different religious
traditions. Our Muslim friends are sisters and brothers in faith. Our lineage goes back to Abraham. I don’t feel threatened by our Muslim friends
at all. In fact I believe that Jesus is
smiling about what happened at the choir concert.
1 comment:
Do you really think that O Holy Night is being sung during the summer months during actual Ramadan? Allahu Akbar isnt just God is great. It isnt Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. IT IS ALLAH. You are a Christian pastor but would be completely okay with your daughter singing a praise to a not Christian 'god'? I don't understand your footing. There is no gray.
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