School accused of attempting to convert students to Islam

Officials of a Maryland public school are facing accusations from parents that they forced students to convert to Islam.

A lawsuit filed earlier this week by Thomas More Law Center, accused La Plata High School in Maryland with forcing its students to profess the Muslim's statement of faith, and ordereing them to memorize the "Five Pillars" of Islam.

In addition, the suit, which was filed on behalf of John and Melissa Wood, claimed that the school said a Muslim's faith is stronger than that of an average Christian.

According to Breaking Christian News, the couple initially complained to the school of alleged Islam indoctrination of their daughter, who was studying at La Plata. However, after John Wood complained, he was banned from the school's premises.

"Defendants forced Wood's daughter to disparage her Christian faith by reciting the Shahada, and acknowledging Mohammed as her spiritual leader," said Richard Thompson, President of Thomas More Law Center.

The lawsuit also compared the time allotted to teaching Islam and Christianity to students. It stated that students spent around one day covering Christian topics, while they studied Islam for two weeks.

"During its brief instruction on Christianity, Defendants failed to cover any portion of the Bible or other non-Islamic religious texts, such as the Ten Commandments," the lawsuit claimed.

"Instead, the class included disparaging remarks about Christianity and the Pope."

The lessons about Islam were said to be taught during the 2014-15 school year. Wood called the school in October 2014 and asked about his daughter's assignments about Islam. He asked if the school can exempt his daughter from the lessons.

However, the school's vice principal said that his daughter would receive zeroes for incomplete assignments. Soon after, he was reportedly informed that he was banned from entering the school campus.