We've heard before that this is the kind of thing we can expect to happen when an area's Muslim population increases beyond a certain level. The larger the number of Muslims the greater the demands.
In England, Muslims have demanded a variety of special privileges for their children in public schools; indeed they've insisted that taxpayers fund Muslim schools. In Sweden, Muslims have gone so far as to demand that the Islamic faith be taught in public schools. France has experienced similar problems.
And now it's happening here.
According to Hemant Mehta of the Friendly Atheist blog, the Islamic Society, referencing Florida laws regarding respecting the religious beliefs of students, are demanding that Muslim students be allowed to leave school at 12:30 every Friday to attend "mandatory Khutbah (sermon) and prayers." According to Islamic teaching, such attendance is required and failing to attend is a sin.
It is true that other religions receive recognition at different times during the year for religious observance. But not once a week. As Mr. Mehta notes, the time involved in this request means Muslim students would miss about 20% of their educational requirement.
Let us hope that the school officials in the Tampa Bay Area gracefully but firmly deny this request! Unfortunately, I'll bet this is just the beginning. It won't be long before there will be other demands, perhaps even the demand, on the grounds of "fairness," that Islam in all its glory, be presented to public school students by local Imams.
Final comment: I see no reason why public schools need to "accommodate" any student's religious beliefs. And it is probably unconstitutional to shut down public schools so that students may observe religious celebrations. If not, it should be. Religion is about indoctrination. Education is about inculcating a desire to know what is real and true as opposed to what is unreal and merely pious rubbish.
Read Mr. Mehta's complete post here.