Colorado teen quits school over death threats after objecting to Islamic song
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High school student says he quit school after death threatsjackohoft
February 17, 2012
James Harper, a senior at Grand Junction High School in Grand Junction, Colorado, quit his high school choir after objecting to an Islamic song containing the lyric, “there is no truth except Allah," earlier this week.
But Fox and Friends reported Friday the senior has left the high school altogether after allegedly receiving death threats.
"I don't want to seem like a racist or a bigot or anything," Harper said. "I'm just really rather uncomfortable, any religion, singing to any other god."
But the school defends the song.
"This is not a case where the school is endorsing or promoting any particular religion or other non-educational agenda. The song was chosen because its rhythms and other qualities would provide an opportunity to exhibit the musical talent and skills of the group in competition, not because of its religious message or lyrics," said district spokesman Jeff Kirtland.
A.R. Rahman, the composer of the song, entitled "Zikr," says the tune is not intended to be a worship song, but rather a song about "self-healing and spirituality."
"It is unfortunate that the student in Colorado misinterpreted the intention of the song," Rahman said. "I have long celebrated the commonalities of humanity and try to share and receive things in this way. While I respect his decision for opting out, this incident is an example of why we need further cultural education through music,” he said.
A post at Gateway Pundit provides the lyrics of the song, translated from the original Urdu:
Last December, Americans for the Separation of Church and State objected to the inclusion of "Silent Night" in a school Christmas program, arguing that it is unconstitutional for the school to sing the carol.
But it seems that in today's politically correct world, some songs are simply more tolerable than others.
But Fox and Friends reported Friday the senior has left the high school altogether after allegedly receiving death threats.
"I don't want to seem like a racist or a bigot or anything," Harper said. "I'm just really rather uncomfortable, any religion, singing to any other god."
But the school defends the song.
"This is not a case where the school is endorsing or promoting any particular religion or other non-educational agenda. The song was chosen because its rhythms and other qualities would provide an opportunity to exhibit the musical talent and skills of the group in competition, not because of its religious message or lyrics," said district spokesman Jeff Kirtland.
A.R. Rahman, the composer of the song, entitled "Zikr," says the tune is not intended to be a worship song, but rather a song about "self-healing and spirituality."
"It is unfortunate that the student in Colorado misinterpreted the intention of the song," Rahman said. "I have long celebrated the commonalities of humanity and try to share and receive things in this way. While I respect his decision for opting out, this incident is an example of why we need further cultural education through music,” he said.
A post at Gateway Pundit provides the lyrics of the song, translated from the original Urdu:
Those of you, who seek Allah’s attention, Come, as you are called by Allah.Harper's concern over the religious nature of the song is not without merit.
There is no better deed than ZIKR, said the Holy Prophet of Allah. And those who do ZIKR of Allah from core of their hearts, become successful.
And Zikr cuts Nafs (a human being’s desire to do whatever he wants,good or bad but used mostly for the desire to do evil things) so Zikr is sword of Allah.
Zikr is peace, Zikr is victory, Zikr is remedy, and Zikr is prayer
(I can’t give exact meaning of the second line but it means something like this)
Only Allah is eternal and will be there when nothing else will bethere, as everything other than Allah will get destroyed one day.
Apart form Allah subhan ta alah’s greatness,
Take anything other than Allah out of your heart
And leave Light of Muhammad (May peace be upon him)
The Truth of La ila ha il Allah (the Kalma of testimony or
shahadath, the basic of Islam, where every Muslim declares that
there is no one worship- worthy other than Allah)
In every flower, in every spirit, there is light of Allah
In every heart, in every moment, there’s Zikr of Allah
Zikr is better than hatred; Zikr is better than not caring about life hereafter
Zikr of Allah is much better compared to saying bad things about fellow human beings
(Now he recites the beautiful names of Allah.)
Ya Qayum (Al-Qayum mean THE SELF-SUBSISTING i.e. HE WHO HOLDS THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE)
Ya Awal (Al-Awal means THE FIRST i.e. HE WHO WAS THERE WHEN NOTHING ELSE WAS THERE)
Ya Akhir (Al-Aakhir means THE LAST i.e. HE WHO WILL BE THERE WHENNOTHING ELSE WILL BE THERE)
Ya Haleem (Al-Haleem means THE FOREBEARING ONE i.e. HE WHO ISCLEMENT)
Ya Kareem (Al-Kareem means THE GENEROUS ONE)
Ya Azeem (Al-Azeem means THE GREAT ONE)
Ya Raheem (Al-Raheem means THE MERCIFUL, He who gives blessings andprosperity)
Ya Rahman (Al-Rahman means THE BENEFICENT)
Ya Subhan
Ya Adnan
Ya Manan
Ya Zol jallal wal Ikaram (means THE LORD OF MAJESTY AND BOUNTY)
Last December, Americans for the Separation of Church and State objected to the inclusion of "Silent Night" in a school Christmas program, arguing that it is unconstitutional for the school to sing the carol.
But it seems that in today's politically correct world, some songs are simply more tolerable than others.
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