At the AMJA (Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America) convention, Muslim imams and scholars share their reactions to the shocking news that Chicago public schools will begin teaching kindergartners about gender identity, third graders about hormone blockers, and sixth graders about anal and oral sex under Governor Pritzker’s new curriculum. Their responses range from alarm to practical solutions grounded in Islamic guidance.
What Is Being Taught to Children in Public Schools
The curriculum mandates that sex education begin at kindergarten with lessons on gender identity. By third grade, children will learn about hormone blockers to change from boy to girl or vice versa. By sixth grade, students will receive instruction on explicit sexual practices and abortion. This represents a block of individuals comprising perhaps five percent of the population exercising extraordinary control over what is taught to the other 95 percent, including Muslim children.
“This is abhorrent. This is appalling. We’re talking about life-altering topics of gender identity and sexual behaviors being presented as options for children as young as five years old. For five percent of the population to have this much sway over our children’s education is unacceptable.”
The Islamic Response: Starting from the Home
The scholars emphasize that the solution begins with parents training themselves first and then teaching their children the reality of what they are facing. It starts from iman, from taqwa, from building a strong connection to Allah. As one imam points out, the same people pushing these ideologies also advocate for everything to be “organic and natural” — yet what they are promoting to children is the furthest thing from natural. Islam teaches that the heart is the king of the body, and if the heart is corrupted, the entire person is corrupted.
“The heart is the most important part of your body and you have to keep it pure. Islam teaches that forbidden desires must be fought, not embraced. You don’t allow poison to settle in your heart — you push back against it and ask Allah for protection.”
An Opportunity for Muslims and Conscientious People to Unite
- Muslim communities, masajid, and parents must work harder than ever to establish Islamic education and awareness about the realities children face in public schools
- This is an area where Muslims and Christians can find common ground, exercising free speech and freedom of religion within the law to protect children
- Islamic schools and community centers are more critical than ever as safe environments where children’s fitrah is protected rather than undermined
- Every Muslim has a responsibility to know what is being taught to their children and to take proactive steps rather than waiting for a crisis to emerge
