Imagine a country where it is illegal to celebrate Christmas or New Years. Where there is not a single decoration to be seen anywhere indicating that Christmas even exists. Where alcohol and pork are illegal. Where celebrating any other religious belief can be punished by jail time if you are from another country working here, much worse if you are a native. This is the lovely country where this teacher wishes to make her pilgrimage. I believe all muslims in the US should be treated the same way non-muslims are treated in Saudi Arabia. Take a journey about 1,400 years into the past intellectually and you'll begin to comprehend this belief system of peace.

From the Magic desert Kingdom (orange country)
Have a happy new year.

Should we have gassed American citizens of German descent in WWII? Get off your high horse JM, just because a country that some of these American citizens have never been to is intolerant, doesn't give you an excuse to be a bigot.

*rant over*

Why on earth did she want to go during december? If she wasn't a teacher I would understand, but unlike the rest of us, she has 2 months off during the summer to do with as she pleases.

Under Islamic law, the hajj takes place at a specific date-span in the Islamic calendar. Islam is as backwards in its calendar as it is in most other ways: it uses a strict lunar calendar which has only 354 or 355 days in a year. As a result, dates on the Islamic calendar drift with respect to the Gregorian calendar that the rest of us use. This year, the date of the hajj falls in December.

MAModerate. High horse? Obviously you are quite ignorant as to the intolerance of Islam to all other beliefs. How the frig do you make the jump from treating muslims in the US like they treat infidels in Saudi to Nazi Germany and gas chambers. Obviously your title shoud be IgnorantLiberal. Do a bit of research before you spout off uncontrollably.

And for your benefit. Try to be a bit more accurate if you are going to throw out acusations.

Bigot–noun
a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion.

I am overly tolerant. I use my mental capacity regularly to not commit GBH against ignorant Liberals every day. Your question proves you are totally ignorant of what Islam involves or is about.

I'm just one of those crazy sentimental types who believes that America should be better than we have to be, we are not a christian country or a jewish country or a muslim country, we are a free country, unlike Saudi Arabia. The religious right are already ruining the Middle East, we don't need them taking over here. It's a slippery slope when anyone, even the best intentioned, advocates different treatment based on race, creed, belief or opinion.

And if what wolfwalker said is true, she should have waited a couple of years until it aligns with the summer again

I was talking with a few coworkers (Muslim)about this particular situation and they stated that in Algeria and other countries (besides Saudi) teachers were not allowed to leave during the regular school year for Hajj unless it is a special case. Even then the teacher must arrange for a qualified replacement. They basically called BS on this teacher making a big stink about going to Hajj during the school year. No doubt Nobama will use this for perceived political points with the Muslims.

In the US the politically correct sensitivity toward Islam is way over the top IMO. Islam is nothing like other beliefs. Islam is a complete system of government, law, and belief. Every aspect of ones life under Islam is structured. The big problem for the US is that Muslims will not assimilate into society. They will change society to fit into their structured lifestyle. Conformity is paramount to Islam.

"Should we have gassed American citizens of German descent in WWII?"

Is that a serious question?

It was absolutely not a serious question, it was just the most extreme example I could think of that was along the same lines of punishing US citizens for the sins of people who they have never met