Students Slated To Sing ‘Allahu Akbar’ At School Holiday Concert

Koran Getty
Shah Marai/AFP/Getty Images

A holiday choral concert at Blaine High School in Minnesota Thursday evening was to feature students singing an Arabic song that includes the phrase, “Allahu Akbar,” which translates to “God is great,” and has been shouted by Islamic terrorists during attacks on the West.

Parents in the Anoka-Hennepin School District questioned the choir teacher’s decision to use a song about Ramadan at a holiday concert, reports local CBS WCCO news.

The song is titled “Eid-un Sa’Eid,” and it was written by Zain Bhikha. Some of the lyrics of the song are:

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

According to the news report, the district said they have received some complaints about the song both from parents and others in the community.

“Songs are not performed in a worship setting or to promote religion,” the district’s statement said. “but rather in [an] educational setting where students are learning and performing music.”

On Facebook, however, one person reportedly posted, “No child should be forced to sing a song about the Muslims and the religion of hatred.”

Another parent said that – considering the recent attacks by Islamic terrorists in Paris and San Bernardino – the song would be “insensitive.”

A district spokesman said the song was to be sung during an audience participation portion of the concert, when both Christian Christmas songs such as “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night” as well as a Jewish song would be sung. A hallelujah chorus was also reportedly to be part of the program.

The district reportedly said any students who did not feel comfortable singing the Arabic song would be released without their grades being affected.

District communications staff did not immediately respond to Breitbart News’ phone calls or emails requesting comment.

**Update**

In response to Breitbart News’ question regarding why the school district allowed the choice of a song that contains a phrase associated with Islamic jihadists committing their terrorist acts against the West, Jim Skelly, director of communiation and public relations for the Anoka-Hennepin School District sent the following statement:
Anoka-Hennepin schools have responded to inaccurate information being shared in the community and on social media regarding the selection of music at the Blaine High School Holiday Concert. The following statement provides context in response to requests for accurate information on this matter.
Anoka-Hennepin promotes equal opportunities for all students and a curriculum policy that ensures a respectful learning environment. Students represent many cultures and these standards apply to all students.
Blaine High School Holiday Concert include an audience participation portion when one choir group moves onto stage and another off stage. During this time, audience members are invited to sing songs like “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.” Sutdnets are involved in selecting these songs. Students of many faiths contribute songs representing their culture to include in this portion of the program. The concert ends by inviting alumni to the stage to sing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”
The music sung as part of the audience participation portion does not impact a student’s grade. Songs are not performed in a worship setting or to promote religion, but rather in education setting where students are learning and performing music.
The complete list of songs in the audience participation portion of the event includes “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Hanukkah Song,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “O Christmas Tree,” “Eid Un Sa’Eid,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night,” and “Joy to the World.”
Blaine High School is a respectful community of learners and works to promote and ensure a safe and relevant education for all students.

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