Portland Schools Official Cites Islamic Beliefs in Classroom Pet Debate
Assistant superintendent Abdullahi Ahmed raised concerns about dog purity during an Oct. 14 meeting, prompting committee discussion on accommodation options.
By David Almasi ·
Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed, assistant superintendent for student, family and community partnerships at Portland Public Schools, raised specific Islamic religious objections to the presence of dogs in classrooms during a policy committee meeting. The discussion centers on whether the district should modify its current rules to accommodate families who hold beliefs that view dogs as ritually impure.
The controversy originated at Ocean Avenue Elementary School, where a teacher requested permission to foster puppies in her classroom. The plan allowed students to interact with the animals during reading and playtime sessions. Ahmed presented his concerns on Oct. 14, noting that he had consulted local Muslim religious leaders who opposed the practice. He explained that while Islamic tradition values compassion for animals, specific rituals regarding purity are central to the faith.
Ahmed stated that some Islamic traditions consider dog saliva impure. He told the committee, "So, with that being said, there are some ritual kind of a purity or in that Islamic traditions … So, for example, the dog saliva is considered impure." He added that some community members had negative past experiences with dogs, which informed their views. Ahmed, who was born and raised in Somalia and speaks Somali, Arabic, English, and Urdu, noted that the imams he spoke with did not want dogs kept as pets in educational settings.
The committee members considered how a revised policy might function. They discussed whether the rules should apply exclusively to dogs or extend to other classroom animals. They also debated potential opt-in and opt-out accommodations for families. Ahmed suggested that keeping dogs in a separate room could serve as a compromise to respect students and families with religious objections.
The committee did not vote on any policy changes during the Oct. 14 session. The issue has drawn attention from external groups. Tina Descovich, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, told Fox News Digital that objections to classroom dogs are "silly." She added, "Dogs have been enriching the lives of school children across America since its founding."
The district is now weighing how to proceed. Fox News Digital reached out to Ahmed and Ryan Scallon, the superintendent of Portland Public Schools, for comment. As of the report, neither had immediately responded to the inquiry. The next steps for the policy committee have not been publicly detailed.
