The New York Times today has a long article on the struggle of Debbie Almontaser, an educator who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Khalil Gibran International Academy (KGIA) that opened its doors last September. Almontaser was sidelined as the school’s first Principal by the Mayor’s office after a campaign by various right-wing activists and newspapers that openly target the assimilation of Muslim-Americans in American public life. According to Judge Jon O. Newman, “This was a situation where she was subject to sanction not for anything she said, not for anything she did, but because a newspaper reporter twisted what she said and the result of it was negative press for the city and the Board of Ed.”
Given the influence of racism welcomed by the Mayor’s office and Department of Education before opening the school, it is no surprise that, 8 months later, the school’s Arab-American and Muslim-American teachers and students (who make up 1/5th of the student body) are frequently victims of racism within the school’s walls.
Here is a timeline of events leading up to the opening of the school. As was first reported by KABOBfest, the campaign to close the school (the Stop the Madrassa Coalition) was lead by various white supremacists and Islamophobes. Among them, Daniel Pipes (who supports the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII) deliberately misrepresented Almontaser by claiming that she “denies that Arab Muslims carried out the 9/11 atrocities.” Specifically, Pipes quotes her as saying, “I don’t recognize the people who committed the attacks as either Arabs or Muslims” while shamelessly leaving off the rest of her statement (“Those people who did it have stolen my identity as an Arab and have stolen my religion.”) The campaign’s leader, David Yerushalmi is an Israeli settler who believes that all Muslim-Americans should be imprisoned for at least 20 years, and Blacks and women should be denied the right to vote.
(Tarboush Tip: Emily)
Related posts:
- Gibran School Opens Doors Today
- Critics Ignored Record of a Muslim Principal
- Stop the Madrassa Coalition: “Arrest all Muslims”
- OH SNAP! Almontaser Sues NYC Mayor
- The Only Good Lebanese is a Dead Lebanese, Says Former U.S. Diplomat to Lebanon
Mark you calendar for May 23-25 where we assert the Palestinian National rights. We will say it loud that we will never forget. Palestinians are the Key holders of peace. Join the thousands and strengthen the network of the thousands of activists. Express your opinion and let the many panelists know of where Palestine should go. Be pro active. Enough talks, actions are required.
Posted by Falastini Hurr | April 28, 2008, 10:21 amnote Daniel Pipe admitting that his attacks on Almontaser were propaganda designed to get people worked up…
and that his group targets law-abiding Muslims.
Posted by Mohammad | April 29, 2008, 8:37 am