Before Blaine High School’s holiday concert Dec. 17, a handful of parents complained about the inclusion of a song traditionally sung at Ramadan.
“Eid un Sa’Eid” was sung in Arabic during an audience participation portion of the concert when ensembles move on and off of the stage.
Other songs included in that portion of the concert were “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Hanukkah Song,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “O Christmas Tree,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World,” according to a statement put out by the Anoka-Hennepin School District Dec. 16.
“Students are involved in selecting these songs,” according to the statement. “Students of many faiths contribute songs representing their culture to include in this portion of the program.”
Parents took to Facebook, deploring the decision to include a Muslim song in the holiday program.
Others rebutted online, calling for acceptance of other cultures.
“Eid un Sa’Eid” was included in the holiday program last year as well, according to Kay Villella, assistant director of communication and public relations. To her knowledge, the district did not receive complaints about the song last year.
Only a few complaints have come in from Anoka-Hennepin families this year; most have come from individuals living outside of the district, many from outside Minnesota, according to Villella..
“Everything went well last night,” Villella said.
