Christian Student Quits School Choir Over Islamic Song Praising 'Allah'

Religion Today | Updated: Feb 16, 2012

Christian Student Quits School Choir Over Islamic Song Praising 'Allah'

February 16, 2012

A Colorado high school student says he quit the school choir after an Islamic song containing the words "There is no truth except Allah" and "Allah is the only eternal and immortal" made it into the repertoire, FoxNews.com reports. James Harper, a senior at Grand Junction High School, objected to Mesa County school district officials about the selection, but when the school stood by the choir director, he decided to quit. "I don't want to come across as a bigot or a racist, but I really don't feel it is appropriate for students in a public high school to be singing an Islamic worship song," he said. "This is worshipping another God, and even worshipping another prophet. ... I think there would be a lot of outrage if we made a Muslim choir say Jesus Christ is the only truth." School district spokesman Jeff Kirtland said the song was chosen for its "rhythms and other qualities," adding that choir was a "voluntary, after-school activity." The song's composer said he respected Harper's decision to opt out, but said, "This incident is an example of why we need further cultural education through music."

Christian Student Quits School Choir Over Islamic Song Praising 'Allah'