This is both an old and a new story. It took place in 2010. But, thanks to controversy that arose out of a decision by Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) not to reschedule a Saturday basketball game and thus prevent a Jewish school from participating, TAPPS is back in the spotlight. (To read more about the basketball game incident, check out Mets102's diary on the subject. TAPPS has since agreed to reschedule, after threatened legal action.)
It started when the New York Times uncovered the story, which had not gone public, and published an article on it last week. Imam Academy SW, an Islamic school in Houston, applied for membership in TAPPS in 2010 and was rejected - after receiving a ridiculously biased questionnaire filled with insulting and loaded questions. Follow me below the fold for more.
Among the "questions" uncovered by the New York Times:
Historically, there is nothing in the Koran that fully embraces Christianity or Judaism in the way a Christian and/or a Jew understands his religion. Why, then, are you interested in joining an association whose basic beliefs your religion condemns?
It is our understanding that the Koran tells you not to mix with (and even eliminate) the infidels. Christians and Jews fall into that category. Why do you wish to join an organization whose membership is in disagreement with your religious beliefs?
How does your school address certain Christian concepts? (i.e. celebrating Christmas)
When was the Bible allegedly polluted? Does the Koran actually state that the Bible is polluted?
What is your attitude about the spread of Islam in America? What are the goals of your school in this regard?
After the questionnaire was completed, school officials had a meeting with TAPPS board members, who asked the school officials for their opinion on building a mosque near Ground Zero.
According to the Houston Chronicle, one school official remembers being told by a TAPPS board member:
"I know all Muslims are not terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims." Says the school official:
We don’t want to change your children. Our children are not different. They are Americans. We wanted to be inclusive and to play ball and compete.
TAPPS isn't swayed, apparently.
Around the same time, according to the article, TAPPS officials circulated a survey among TAPPS members asking if it was "in the best interest of TAPPS to accept Islamic schools for membership" and whether or not they would leave the association if an Islamic school was accepted.
Islamophobic discrimination in TAPPS goes back way before 2010, though. The Houston Chronicle reported in 2004 that Dar-Ul-Arqam, another Houston-area Muslim school, received similar hostility when it applied for membership in TAPPS.
It's important to note that nothing in the TAPPS constitution or by-laws stipulates that members must be Christian/Jewish.
I'm not here to debate constitutionality (I'm anticipating the comments already). Regardless of whether or not it's legal for TAPPS to discriminate, it's important to expose TAPPS for the bigoted views that it holds. And it's certainly worth looking into legal action. From the Houston Chronicle:
Jeremy Warren, spokesman for state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, said the senator is discussing potential legislation that would help prevent situations like what happened with the Jewish and Islamic schools.
"It's an interesting situation - a private entity dealing with a private institution but they use public facilities," Warren said.
Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has called for the association to change its policies: "Is there no law from discriminating based on faith?" he asked. Hooper said his group will revisit possible legal action.