What advise can be given to Muslim students who are made to involve in Christmas related activities like practicing songs in music, making projects like lanterns, Christmas trees, cards, for the vocational subject, failing which they will not be graded?

I would say that, firstly this should make us think that it is necessary for us to set up our own schools, that’s our number one priority. Of course, realistically speaking, we can’t decide today we want our own school and we have one tomorrow. However, this need to establish Islamic schools is a necessity. We still have the practical circumstances of what to do, given that reality. I would say that if the child or the young person gets a lower mark, but maintains their Islamic integrity, that’s better. It’s better for young kids to stand up for what they believe in. I mean, if it means that they are going to be kicked out of school and deprived of education, then that’s an altogether different circumstance. Under that circumstance, they may do as much as is necessary to get through, just the minimum necessary to get through. But in most cases, I don’t think they are going to be thrown out of the school and everything else. It’s just a matter that the grade in that particular subject will be lower, but it is better for your child, for the young person to feel that they would prefer to get a lower grade to please God than to get a higher grade to please themselves and their family. It’s better for them to grow with that kind of conviction, because what is most important ultimately is the pleasure of God. So I would advise my son or my daughter, if the teacher requires this and if you don’t do it you’re going to get a lower grade, then you explain to them that you can’t do it because your religion does not allow you to do it, you will take the lower grade.