Wellesley’s school superintendent apologized today for allowing middle school students to participate in a prayer service during a field trip to a Roxbury mosque last spring.The apology to parents came after a group that has been critical of the Islamic Society of Boston Community Center — New England’s largest mosque and Muslim cultural center — released a 10-minute long video featuring footage of Wellesley students bowing their heads during a prayer service.The group, Americans for Peace and Tolerance, received the footage from a mother of one of the students, its director, Dennis Hale, said today. The woman, whom they will not identify, went on the May 27 trip as a chaperone for her son’s sixth grade class, he said.Wellesley School Superintendent Bella Wong said that allowing the children to participate in the prayer service was ‘‘a mistake,’’ and apologized to parents in a letter.
Five middle schoolers participated in the Muslim midday prayer at the mosque, she said. Some can be seen in the video imitating some of the prayer movements.
Five middle schoolers participated in the Muslim midday prayer at the mosque, she said. Some can be seen in the video imitating some of the prayer movements.