By KATHY SHWIFF Editor - New Jersey Hills

THE CHATHAMS – Two parents raised questions about the way seventh-graders are taught about Islam during the school board meeting.

Borough residents Nancy Geyer and Libby Hilsenrath said the social studies curriculum includes two videos and other materials that go in-depth about Islamic practices, prayer and holidays and display the statement, “There is no God except Allah.”

Geyer compared the curriculum in the seventh-grade World Cultures and Geography class with her son’s experience almost three years ago in fourth grade, when she said a video presentation he had prepared was not shown because he included a quote from the Bible. His teacher told her that the presentation was not allowed because it was proselytizing.

Referring to one of the videos on Islam, Geyer said, “I call this proselytizing.”

“When religion coming from the school itself is explored and taught, this is proselytizing,” she added, noting that school district policy prohibits promotion of any religious belief or non-belief in the regular curriculum.