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.
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.’
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.
