This pilgrimage is necessary...is required? How many Muslims actually do this?
This DOJ is getting more and more ridiculous and definitely supports a preference for a specific religion.
Another thing, Pamela Geller has proof that our government is also soliciting bids to supply Muslim items:
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/12/us-military-muslim-items-idpo.html#comments
“This pilgrimage is necessary...is required? How many Muslims actually do this?”
It is required. The Hajj (pilgrimage) is one of the five pillars of the islamic faith and anyone who can afford to do it is expected to do it. To prevent overcrowding and deaths from stampedes (which typically happen anyway) the Saudis limit the Hajj to some two to three million per year.
While I am not a fan of islam, the DOJ is right on this one. Allowing the teacher to take *unpaid* time off to complete a religious obligation is a reasonable accomadation - just the same as it would be to allow a Catholic teacher to take unpaid time off to visit the Holy Land and to perform the stations of the Cross.
I know that’s not a popular thing to say on here, but I’m just pointing out the fact that we live in a country where legal precedent is law. If muslims can be stopped from their religious observances then so can we.