Hundreds of Muslim and Christian parents gathered in front of the Montgomery County Public Schools board in Rockville, Maryland, USA to protest against the teaching of curricula that they deemed inappropriate and supportive of homosexuality for their children.

Videos circulating on social media showed the parents rallying outside the public school board last Tuesday, chanting slogans demanding the protection of their children from such curricula and respect for their religious beliefs, which prohibit homosexuality.

According to reports from American media, the protests were organized by several civil organizations, including "Family Rights for Religious Freedom" and "Mothers for Liberty," to voice parents’ rejection of the new policy imposed by the school board, which prohibits parents from opting out of teaching curricula supporting homosexuality in their children’s schools.

Parents have the right to express their opposition to their children being taught curricula supporting homosexuality, and schools should refrain from including them in subjects that discuss such curricula. However, the new decision issued by the Montgomery County Public Schools board eliminated this right.

The demonstration, where parents gathered to express their refusal to withdraw their children from classes that teach curricula supporting homosexuality, coincided with a meeting of the Montgomery County Public Schools board to discuss the matter with both supporters and opponents.

The newspaper "Newsweek" mentioned that three Muslim families in the state have filed lawsuits against the Montgomery County Board of Education and Superintendent Monifa McKnight due to the new policy. It is alleged that books discussing LGBTQ+ issues were added to the curriculum without prior permission from the families. These families argue that this unilateral action violates the rights of American Muslims according to the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

VIDEO THREAD: "Protect our children!" Today a Muslim-led coalition rallied outside the Montgomery County Maryland School Board against the removal of an "opt-out" option from human sexuality related material.

Pro-LGBT activists counter-protested, chanting "secular schools!" pic.twitter.com/48qpRDJzyM

— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) June 6, 2023

Two years ago, the US Congress voted in favor of a resolution aimed at establishing a special office within the US Department of State to combat Islamophobia worldwide.

Senator Cory Booker emphasized that "we have witnessed a disturbing rise in Islamophobia in recent years in the United States and around the world, which threatens religious freedom, the well-being of Muslims, and their lives."

Source: Agencies + Social Media