Jewish students from Tel Aviv's Lady Davis Junior High School were denied access several days ago to the Mahmoudiya mosque, or the Great Mosque of Jaffa, during a field trip to places of worship for different religions. The students were able to visit a synagogue and a church, but were not even allowed to set foot in the courtyard of the Jaffa mosque. The 9th grade students set off on the tour as part of what the schools called a meeting of cultures, aimed at teaching the students "from up close the meaning of multicultural life." The father of one of the students in the class voiced his disapproval this week, saying "they don't want us in the mosques. Not inside and not in the courtyard, it's no secret. The mosque area of Jaffa is not such a pleasant area for children." "Apparently, the Education Department of the Tel Aviv Municipality is living in fantasy land," the annoyed father continued. "Obviously, the students were not wanted there. It is all forced. I was also worried for my child's safety -- it is so unnecessary to gather a large group of students in such places at such a sensitive time." In response to the controversy, the Tel Aviv Municipality issued a statement saying, "The students visited a number of central sites in Jaffa. During the trip, they arrived at the Mahmoudiya mosque during prayers, without coordinating the visit in advance, so they were asked not to enter the complex so they would not disturb the worshippers." "In the past, students have been allowed to enter the mosque not during prayers. The municipality respects the different religions and their prayers and wishes to communicate this message to all students," the statement said.
