Muslim Students Given Exemption To Pray In Public School

Multi-Faith Group demonstrates outside the head office of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to protest the public school boards decision to allow muslim students at Valley Park Middle School to be excused from their classes so that they can participate in "Friday Prayers" in the school cafeteria under the direction of an islamic cleric (imam). This decision was undertaken by the TDSB to address the concerns of those within the Islamic community that their children's grades were suffering as a result of them skipping classes on Fridays to attend mosque which is their islamic duty. Apparently 90% of the students attending that school identify themselves as being muslim. The idea is that once the students have completed their obligatory prayers they can return to their classrooms to continue where they left off with their studies since they already happen to be in the school & to avoid losing out on a good education.