TiZA Families Seek to Join In Legal Fight Over Religion At School

March 12, 2010

Author: Sarah Lemagie

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/87419902.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr

In a formal move to join the legal battle over religion at their school, several families at Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy (TiZA) have asked a judge to let them intervene as parties in a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota.

The ACLU claims that the charter school, which has locations in Inver Grove Heights and Blaine, has violated the U.S. Constitution by crossing the line between religion and public education.

But in a motion filed Wedne sday, 10 Muslim students and four of their parents argue that the ACLU is seeking to eliminate "democratically and legally obtained" religious accommodations, such as pork alternatives on the lunch menu, a conservative dress code and the time and space to pray at school.