Islam: Religion, Culture and Changing Societies

How to solve a sensitive situation?

Mocking images of the Prophet Muhammad are posted on the school bulletin board. Describe how you would solve the situation in different roles.

  1. You are the principal of a school whose students posted ridiculous pictures of the Prophet Muhammad on a bulletin board (A. if there are Muslims in the school; B if there are no Muslims in the school)
  2. You are the class teacher whose students posted pictures of the Prophet Muhammad on the bulletin board (A. if there are Muslims in your class; B. if there are no Muslims in the class or at school)

Example:

A. (if there are Muslims in the school)

  1. Ask the class teacher to address the topic in class – why is the portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad a sensitive topic in Islam?
  2. Organizing a public lecture/discussion/seminar on “Why is the depiction of the Prophet Muhammad a sensitive topic in Islam?”
  3. Talk to Muslim students at school and ask about their feelings and opinions.
  4. Consider the situation that this behavior may have further incitement to conflict.
  5. Involve parents in the discussion
  6. Involve discussion with professionals who help open the topic.

B. (if there are no Muslims in the school)

  1. Ask the class teacher to address the topic in class, why is the portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad a sensitive topic in Islam?
  2. Organizing a public lecture/discussion/seminar on “Why is the depiction of the Prophet Muhammad a sensitive topic in Islam?”
  3. Consider that this behavior may have further incitement to conflict
  4. Involve parents in the discussion.
  5. Involve discussion with professionals who help open the topic.

A. (if there are Muslims in your class)

  1. Have a class discussion (different workshops) on why the Prophet Muhammad’s portrayal in Islam is a sensitive topic. I will explore more broadly what are sensitive topics for students and why it is difficult to talk about them?
  2. Talk to Muslim students at school and ask about their feelings and opinions.
  3. Consider that the situation may have consequences that encourage further conflict.

Involve parents in the discussion.

B. (if there are no Muslims in the class or at school)

  1. Have a class discussion (different workshops) on why the Prophet Muhammad’s portrayal in Islam is a sensitive topic. I will explore more broadly what are sensitive topics for students and why it is difficult to talk about them?
  2. Consider that this situation may have consequences that encourage further conflict.
  3. Involve parents in the discussion