About 50 teachers and administrators in Pennsylvania’s Lebanon School District recently learn about Islam and Arabic culture.
The in-service workshop was led by former district Arabic translator Mohamed Omar, who “took time off from his new job as a case worker for the Department of Human Services in Philadelphia to share his knowledge of Islam with the staff.”
The training session included a comparison-contrast of U.S.-Arab education, in addition to a visit to a local mosque to learn more about the Islamic religion – and to participate the congregation’s prayer service.
At the mosque, teachers and administrators slipped off their shoes and interact with people attending worship clad in traditional Muslim attire. They talked about Deity, and the general concept in both Islam and Christianity.
Teachers were given opportunity to ask questions and subsequently, called the event enlightening.
“It’s important that we educate ourselves about cultures that are different from our own and that we try to eliminate some misunderstandings,” said Lara Book, one of the teachers who attended. “And any way that I can communicate with my students … that makes it more meaningful or easier, it is a vital tool.”
Among the attendees also includes Superintendent Marianne Bartley and a handful of other administrators.
“I think this is the first time ever in the United States that a school district goes to a mosque,” said mosque founder Hamid Housni. “Usually a representative of a mosque goes somewhere. We don’t have words to explain to you how we appreciate that. This is very, very special.”