2023 Protests Against Inclusive School Curricula in U.S. Suburbs

In 2023, out of the blue, there was an eruption of protests from parents about public school curricula in Montgomery County, Maryland; in Glendale, California (a suburb of Los Angeles); and in Detroit. They were protesting the inclusive nature of the public school curricula, which depicted same-sex parents and a rainbow puppy — a curriculum that also included a hijab-wearing Muslim girl dancing.

In the case of Detroit and Montgomery, the demonstrations were championed by conservative Muslim parents. In Montgomery, Muslim parents were bused in from local mosques by Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), protesting at the Montgomery County Public School headquarters over the district’s no-opt-out policy concerning LGBTQ+ inclusive storybooks.

Upcoming Supreme Court Case Challenges Inclusive School Curricula on Religious Grounds

In a few weeks, the Supreme Court will hear Tamer Mahmoud vs Thomas W. Taylor, a case first filed in the fall of 2023 , in which a group of parents claimed that the inclusive curriculum impinged on the parents’ religious right in how their children are raised and, to quote a parent, that they “go against the values we are instilling in my child at home.”

As an organization, Muslims for Progressive Values is an ardent advocate for respect and inclusion. The inclusive curriculum normalizes the diversity of our humanity — it was designed to help counter hate toward LGBTQ+ and Muslim children, who have experienced taunts and bullying.

Debate Over Inclusion: Muslim Representation in School Curricula Sparks Controversy

The curriculum includes depictions of Muslims, too, like the hijab-wearing girl dancing joyfully. That, too, is a form of inclusion. To argue that inclusion should end with Muslims but not extend to other identities is not only hypocritical, but dangerous. If we say that depictions of LGBTQ+ people are harmful to children, why would we not then say the same of hijabis?

True inclusion means everyone, or it means nothing.

Islamic Perspective Supports Inclusive Curricula and Interfaith Dialogue

Arguing as a Muslim, the idea that these inclusive curricula impinge on one’s religious rights has no basis in Islam. The Quran encourages engagement with beliefs that differ from one’s own. It promotes dialogue between individuals with diverse perspectives, rooted in respect, reason and wisdom — as emphasized in Surah An-Nahl 16:125.

Discourse is, in fact, encouraged to strengthen faith and bolster critical thinking. Depicting Islam as inherently intolerant is not only inaccurate, but also dangerous in fueling more prejudice.

An amicus brief MPV is contributing to, along with Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, highlights that the curriculum used by Montgomery County Public Schools instructs teachers to affirm students’ religious beliefs when objections arise, while also emphasizing the importance of respecting differing views. This approach is consistent with Islamic values, which support respectful dialogue without coercion and uphold the dignity of individual belief.

Malaysian Education System: Segregation by Race and Language Undermines Social Cohesion

As an immigrant from Malaysia, let me share about the educational system there, where teaching and curriculum are fragmented, broken down by racial lines and language. The government funds Chinese schools for the Chinese students, Tamil schools for Indian students and government schools where the medium of teaching is in Malay — the national language — which Malay students attend. Such a school system has failed to create a cohesive society without prejudice.

If we allow one group’s belief to dictate public education, we open the door to every group demanding their own opt-outs, creating educational chaos. This is the danger of expanding the free exercise clause at the expense of the rights of all citizens in a secular society. The separation of religion and state is not only a founding principle, but a protective one, benefiting everyone.

Supreme Court Decision on Inclusive Curriculum Could Shape America’s Social Cohesion

On April 22, the Supreme Court will have the responsibility to chart the future of America. A decision in favor of Mahmoud will splinter our society into fragments of religious fiefdoms and lead to an abuse of opt-outs that will be unsustainable for a public school system that caters to diverse populations. A decision for Taylor will make us see the humanity of the other, even of those we disagree with.

America is badly in need of such common humanity, the kind that teaches us empathy over hatred and sees difference not as a threat but as a strength. I truly hope the Supreme Court will decide in favor of our shared humanity.

Ani Zonneveld is founder and president of Muslims for Progressive Values and an author of an upcoming book, “The Unlikely Social Justice Warrior: Making my Life Count as a Muslim Feminist,” with Lived Places Publishing. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of RNS.)