On the subject of learning about other faiths and appreciating them, in the UK every year a group of Christians go to France and stay with the Taize Christian Monks community. Every year a group of Muslims join them and go with them on a Christian pilgrimage of meditation and prayer.

Even if you aren't a Christian, I recommend you go. It's beautiful and relaxing.

You know you're basically being a troll, insulting us all. 

I honestly have nothing against any religion. I've stepped into churches, attended holy events(well, holy for them), and basically experienced what a normal christian would do. Guess what? I didn't freak out.

People in the school shouldn't either. It's a world religion class. Writing the words down doesn't magically  make you Muslim. If you feel butthurt because you have to write some words, then why attend the class in the first place?

I'm failing to see how this assignment even fits the class. I get learning about different believe systems and cultures around the world. But I don't understand having your students copy religious texts, it just seems pointless. What exactly is the student learning by doing that?

And for OP to try to simplify Islam as being just two basic laws is pretty much nonsense. If only religion were that simple.

World Geography and World Religion are not the same thing. If it was a religion class I could see the place for such a lesson, and that would still be strange to have students copying religious texts. And thats not coming from a Christian vs Muslim standpoint. That would be awkward for any religion. If it were Muslim students writing Christian text, etc etc.

That article means very little. Umbrella bodies like that do not speak on behalf of everyone, which is why speaking to residents along with them is imperative. 

Secondly there is context missing - I've come across this before. In the UK, Muslims have a civil marriage and a religious ceremony, just like in other faiths. The mosques here have adopted a system under UK Law, where they work in conjunction with the local authority so that a religious ceremony is also recognised legally. The reason for this is simple, many people get married and do not legally register it. This in return causes complications regarding local statistics, legal issues of the is a divorce etc. By recognising the religious ceremony and streamlining the process, this actually works in favour of current law and legislation. 

Thirdly, every leader / representative says the world would benefit by adopting their way. Richard Dawkins is the greatest at this. I love star wars and I say the world would benefit by accepting the light side of the force. There is nothing important, special or newsworthy about it. It's literally click bait. 

Allow me to better explain my views on the situation then as I rushed my reply and worded it badly.  I was refering to the ridiculous uproar that the issue caused a time ago.  America is too sensitive and it drives me nuts!  It is to the point that if one person gets offended over the stupidest thing, others rights of freedom are affected and their views on a matter are considered "bigot" regardless of their opinion of the actual person who is claiming to be offended.  BUT that is another topic...

I have no problems with origin of other religions being taught in schools, as long as it is not preaching or in anyway an attempt at conversion.  This goes for all including Christian beliefs, which I am.  If there is any hint of possible intent conversion in an educational setting, shut it down.  Leave those aspects of your religion for outside of public education grounds, if only because you cannot teach someone who does not want to learn.

Now origins and history, by all means teach it all.  It is important to know it if you want any right to preach your own beliefs.

In short, I don't know the exact cause of all this crap but it goes like this for me.  If it is in ANY way teaching in a way that could be geared to conversion, it has no place in public schools.  But if it is purly for education and history, people need to suck it up and deal with it.  In the case of the later, refer to my rant above of america being oversensitive.

Wouldn't that be even more reason for parents of other faiths to not feel comfortable with the lesson? This same rule pretty much applies to all religions. 

It's actually not religious texts(which makes this more ridiculous).  The group of words aren't even found in the Qur'an. 

Also, how is it nonsense? If you don't know, that's repeated hundreds of times in the Qur'an. yes, Islam is way more complex, but the most basic idea it spreads is that Allah is the one and only god, and Muhammad is his final messager.

It actually is. It's not only the corner stone of the faith, but it is the simplest understanding of Islam. I.e. To be a good Muslim / successful Muslim be like The prophet and live your life like he did. 

It's also the same for Christianity and Judaism. If you live like said person, be it Moses or Jesus then you are good. 

"Here is the shahada, the Islamic statement of faith" Obviuosly a religious text regardless if place of origin within said religion.

It removed the shahada from world religion instruction. "A different, non-religious sample of Arabic calligraphy will be used in the future," it said.

Problem solved. Students still learn and the religious text is left out.