Parents are up in arms in Minnesota's Anoka-Hennepin school district, questioning a choir teacher's decision to use a Ramadan song sung in Arabic at a holiday concert, according to Minnesota's CBS Local. The Thursday night concert at Blaine High School included the song "Allahu Akbar," which translates to "God is Great," among the Christian and Jewish songs also performed.
The controversy started when a post on Facebook by the parent of a ninth-grade student in Blaine's choir posted the lyrics to the song the choir had been practicing.
"No child should be forced to sing a song about the Muslims and the religion of hatred," responded one person.
And that wasn't the only opposing voice.
Another parent voiced concerns over the "insensitive" nature considering the recent bombings in Paris and San Bernardino, noting that singing a song praising Allah is not in the school's best interest.
"Songs are not performed in a worship setting or to promote religion," said the school district via statement, according to the Daily Mail, "but rather in [an] educational setting where students are learning and performing music."
The district's statement went on to say that if students are uncomfortable, "nobody will be forced and a grade will not be affected if they chose not to sing the Ramadan song," according to Breitbart.
