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Plan for Arabic School in Brooklyn Spurs Protests
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| Plump Funk |
This kind of ignorant behavior (though never a justification for violence) is why the US and UK are not winning the hearts and minds of third(Muslims) of the world and remain targets of violence.
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Plan for Arabic School in Brooklyn Spurs Protests
The Khalil Gibran International Academy was conceived as a public embrace of New York City’s growing Arab population and of internationalism, the first public school dedicated to the study of the Arabic language and culture and open to students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
But nearly three months after plans for the middle school were first announced, a beleaguered Department of Education is fending off attacks from two angry camps: parents from Public School 282, the elementary school in Park Slope, Brooklyn, that was assigned to share building space with the Khalil Gibran school, and a handful of columnists who have called the proposed academy a madrassa, which teaches the Koran.
Now the chancellor of schools, Joel I. Klein, is considering other locations for the school, or even postponing the opening for a year, according to several people involved in the discussions, and the whole endeavor has been turned into a test of tolerance — and its limits — in post-9/11, multiethnic New York.
The principal, Debbie Almontaser, who came to America from Yemen at age 3 and who organized peace rallies and urged tolerance after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has been vilified on Web sites as having an “Islamist agenda.”
Ms. Almontaser said she was prepared for the reaction. “Quite frankly, I don’t let it bother me,” she said. “I don’t lose sleep over it. My main objective is the opening of the school.”
Friends of the teacher, who is known as a moderate active in interfaith groups, call the accusation preposterous.
“It’s tragic that they should be targeting her,” said the Rev. Dr. Daniel Meeter, pastor of Old First Reformed Church in Park Slope.
Some call the controversy over the school heartbreaking. “Now is the critical time to teach young people Arabic,” said Eileen F. Reilly, a director at Camba, a Brooklyn social services agency, and a friend of Ms. Almontaser’s. “If a school like this can’t happen in Brooklyn, where can it happen?”
Others say that there is no room for such a school in New York. Alicia Colon, a columnist for The New York Sun, wrote that Osama bin Laden must have been “delighted” to hear the news of the school. “New York City, the site of the worst terrorist attack in our history, is bowing down in homage to accommodate and perhaps groom future radicals,” she said. “I say break out the torches and surround City Hall to stop this monstrosity.”
Khalil Gibran, named after the noted Lebanese-born poet and philosopher who wrote “The Prophet,” is a partnership with New Visions for Public Schools, a nonprofit agency that has helped open dozens of schools, and the Arab-American Family Support Center, a social service agency in Brooklyn.
Plans for the school called for it to enroll 81 students for the 2007-8 school year, beginning with sixth graders only, and eventually expanding to Grades 6 through 12.
It was envisioned like other dual-language schools in the city, like the Shuang Wen Academy, a top-performing elementary school on the Lower East Side that teaches classes both in English and in Mandarin.
The first sign of discontent came from the parents of P.S. 282, where the school was supposed to share space. They staged protests and besieged Mr. Klein’s office with e-mail messages this winter and spring.
Their litany of complaints was long: They objected to sharing space with another school, particularly with middle and high school students who they said could put their elementary school children in danger. They predicted that class sizes at P.S. 282, now comfortably small, would increase close to capacity. And they were indignant when told that they would have to sacrifice space they used for activities like computer instruction and chess.
“We all just want 282 to remain an elementary school with the same space and services that we have now,” said Xiomara Fraser, the PTA president. “Their interest is getting a whole new school that has nothing to do with this school and that will encroach on our space and disrupt the flow of this school.”
As the efforts by the parents of P.S. 282 stalled, another form of protest was just getting started. Ms. Almontaser had become a high-profile figure in Brooklyn after 9/11 and had spoken in interviews about her embrace of Muslim customs, including wearing a hijab, and how she was a part of the American melting pot.
A Web site called Militant Islam Monitor recently posted side-by-side photographs of Ms. Almontaser wearing different types of headscarves, suggesting that she had changed her appearance to disguise her “Islamist agenda.”
In The New York Sun, a column by Daniel Pipes, the director of the Middle East Forum, a conservative research center that says its goal is to promote American interests in the region, declared that “A Madrassa Grows in Brooklyn,” contending that the school would generate problems and promote an “Islamic outlook.”
Mr. Pipes, who lives in Philadelphia, said in a telephone interview, “What you find is that the materials that are included in an Arabic curriculum have a natural tendency to promote Islam.”
A Department of Education spokeswoman said the school would have a standard college preparatory curriculum, with separate Arabic language instruction.
Ms. Almontaser said she planned a curriculum that was not religion-based, and that would include the history and contributions of the Arab people.
Supporters of the school, many of them residents of heavily Muslim communities in Brooklyn, have come out in large numbers to defend Ms. Almontaser.
“It’s just outrageous,” said Mohammad Razvi, the executive director of the Council of Peoples Organization. “It is not fair for anyone to make such negative remarks just because the school is going to be teaching Arabic as a language. She’s a person who brings communities together and makes them understand and works on peace.”
Mr. Razvi said he intends to send his 11-year-old son, Akeel, to Khalil Gibran if it opens this fall.
“People are very much excited, very much encouraged by the school,” said Shamsi Ali, an imam at the Islamic Center on East 96th Street in Manhattan and a member of the advisory board of Khalil Gibran. “After Sept. 11, particularly, Arab communities felt misunderstood. Such a school, I think, will show our good intentions.”
If the school is postponed, it may be because of logistics as much as controversy. Since a location has not been confirmed yet, the Education Department has not been able to accept applications formally. At this point in the year, most fifth graders already know where they will be attending sixth grade in the fall.
“The location right now is being worked on by the Department of Education, and I’m confident that they are working to find us a home that will be embracing and positive,” Ms. Almontaser said.
Meanwhile, the parents of P.S. 282 have labored to distance themselves from the school’s other opponents. Linda Littlefield, a parent and PTA member, said the parents were “horrified” by the ideological opposition by columnists to an Arab language school. “We felt that was so damaging,” she said, emphasizing that the Park Slope parents did not have a problem with the theme of the school, but did not want to share the school itself.
“We don’t talk to them,” Ms. Fraser added of the columnists. “They do what they have to do to sell their papers.”
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http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/04/n...anted=1&_r=1&hp
I am stupefied by the accusatory tone of "columnists who have called the proposed academy a madrassa, which teaches the Quran." What is wrong with teaching of the Quran? there are all sorts of schools in the US which teach the Bible or the Torah (as an atheist, I see that as with Islam each of Christian, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs are not without their fringe coocoo minorities). |
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| Sunsnail |
| I'm sure the peasant opium farmers in Afghanistan are furious at this |
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| Arbiter |
| quote: | Originally posted by Plump Funk
there are all sorts of schools in the US which teach the Bible or the Torah |
Well there's plenty wrong with that, too. |
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| Fir3start3r |
| quote: | Originally posted by Arbiter
Well there's plenty wrong with that, too. |
Only if you're Atheist ;) |
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| EvilTree |
Yep. Pure ignorance.
Fear and ignorance do funny things to people |
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| pkcRAISTLIN |
yes, fear and ignorance. but it all depends upon what the school is going to be teaching, and what kind of values are being perpetuated.
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MUSLIM and Christian leaders in Oslo scrapped a soccer match meant to foster understanding between religions today after the imams refused to play a team that included women priests.
The imams said physical contact with women would be inappropriate, NRK public television said, and the Norwegian Christians refused a proposal of a male-only clash.
The match was to have followed talks meant to build bridges between faiths in Norway.
"Some say that bodily contact is the problem. It leads to special feelings that can lead to something forbidden," imam Senaid Kobilica told NRK public television in explanation.
A woman priest from Norway's Lutheran state church, who was part of the Christian team, said that barring women from the pitch would be discrimination.
"It's disappointing because it means deciding to sacrifice someone from one's own side - women, who historically are those who have had to give way," priest Kjersti Oestland Tveit said.
"It's a setback for sexual equality in 2007."
Her objection prompted the Christian captain to cancel the match.
"There are both men and women priests in Oslo, and you can't have a dialogue in which everyone can take part and then have a game where only men are allowed," Trond Bakkevig said.
its the year 2007 MUSLIM and Christian leaders in Oslo scrapped a soccer match meant to foster understanding between religions today after the imams refused to play a team that included women priests.
The imams said physical contact with women would be inappropriate, NRK public television said, and the Norwegian Christians refused a proposal of a male-only clash.
The match was to have followed talks meant to build bridges between faiths in Norway.
"Some say that bodily contact is the problem. It leads to special feelings that can lead to something forbidden," imam Senaid Kobilica told NRK public television in explanation.
A woman priest from Norway's Lutheran state church, who was part of the Christian team, said that barring women from the pitch would be discrimination.
"It's disappointing because it means deciding to sacrifice someone from one's own side - women, who historically are those who have had to give way," priest Kjersti Oestland Tveit said.
"It's a setback for sexual equality in 2007."
Her objection prompted the Christian captain to cancel the match.
"There are both men and women priests in Oslo, and you can't have a dialogue in which everyone can take part and then have a game where only men are allowed," Trond Bakkevig said. |
link |
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| LazFX |
| quote: | Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN
yes, fear and ignorance. but it all depends upon what the school is going to be teaching, and what kind of values are being perpetuated.
link |
I know this is going to shock the out of some here, but I do not have an issue with a school like this or a christian school. I fail to see what the big issue is, if it is a private school then so be it.
As long as Tax Payer monies are not used, then what's the issue.
Now if these people start teaching thier anti american/anti jewish/anti anything then it should closed and the teachers stoned!! oh wait, that only happens in Muslim Countries... ;) |
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| M.Johan |
| quote: | Originally posted by LazFX
I know this is going to shock the out of some here, but I do not have an issue with a school like this or a christian school. I fail to see what the big issue is, if it is a private school then so be it.
As long as Tax Payer monies are not used, then what's the issue.
Now if these people start teaching thier anti american/anti jewish/anti anything then it should closed and the teachers stoned!! oh wait, that only happens in Muslim Countries... ;) |
I'm eager to hear your facts to prove that. :p:rolleyes: |
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| LazFX |
| quote: | Originally posted by M.Johan
I'm eager to hear your facts to prove that. :p:rolleyes: |
are you serious??? Asking for proof on Muslim killings agaisnt teachers, students sports players and christians is like asking DOES A BEAR IN THE WOODS!! ;) but no matter what I post in support of my opinion, it will not matter to you, cause you are closed minded in your views of religion....your Muslims do no wrong....
I will not be held responsible for your awakening to the real.....
but here you go:| quote: | "It [the shootings of Naser Ali Hatim, Wisam Adel and Hussein Ahmed Rashid] was not sectarian violence -- one was Shia, the other two were Sunni," said Iraqi number one Akram Mustafa Abdulkarim. "They were wearing tennis shorts and sports gear after training. They were killed because they were athletes. Many athletes are killed without reason.
......SOURCE |
| quote: | advertisement
Thai teacher killed in Muslim south classroom
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Two men in student uniforms burst into a classroom full of young children in Thailand's rebellious Muslim south on Monday and shot dead a Buddhist teacher, police said.
It was one of the most dramatic shooting of teachers, targets of militants as symbols of the largely Buddhist government in far away Bangkok, in a two-year separatist insurgency in which more than 1,300 people have been killed.
The murder prompted at least 20 village schools in the same district of Narathiwat province to close indefinitely, a provincial education official said.
source |
here is another | quote: | Video of girl being stoned to death shown on InternetPublished: Sunday, 6 May, 2007, 08:18 AM Doha Time
ARBIL, Iraq: Cellphone videos have appeared on the Internet showing an Iraqi mob stoning and kicking to death a 17-year-old girl after she offended her minority community by eloping with a Muslim man.
Doaa Khalil Aswad was a member of northern Iraq’s Yazidi religious sect but, according to local officials, she was murdered on April 7 by her brothers and uncles after she allegedly converted to Islam.
source |
and then
| quote: | The men dressed in red turbans and long robes and carrying machine guns and machetes handed out amulets that they said would protect people in the coming fight. They went among the Muslim and Christian residents in the northern Nigerian city of Kano saying they meant no harm; their gripe was solely with the national government for failing to live by the Qur'an.
The next day the hundreds of fighters, who included women and some children, attacked the police headquarters, killing 10 policemen and a divisional commander's wife. The police station was set ablaze, vehicles were burned and prisoners freed.
source |
I only added parts, due to I am sure others can handle your challange..... and plus I do not feel like going into the woods to pick up bear just to prove my point... oh and another thing genius, I stated in my post that I DO NOT HAVE AN ISSUE, the muslim country thing was followed by a ;) so if I pissed you off, just add me to your ignore list.....
oh and another thing, I have no Issues with Muslims, Christians, Scientoligist or flying wierner dogs.... I care not for your love of a myth...what I do care about is infringing on other's rights or life by you myth lovers..... Freedom of religion is what I am about...as long as you people don't try to mess with my rights... |
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| M.Johan |
| quote: | Originally posted by LazFX
are you serious??? Asking for proof on Muslim killings agaisnt teachers, students sports players and christians is like asking DOES A BEAR IN THE WOODS!! ;) but no matter what I post in support of my opinion, it will not matter to you, cause you are closed minded in your views of religion....your Muslims do no wrong....
I will not be held responsible for your awakening to the real.....
but here you go:
here is another
and then
I only added parts, due to I am sure others can handle your challange..... and plus I do not feel like going into the woods to pick up bear just to prove my point... oh and another thing genius, I stated in my post that I DO NOT HAVE AN ISSUE, the muslim country thing was followed by a ;) so if I pissed you off, just add me to your ignore list.....
oh and another thing, I have no Issues with Muslims, Christians, Scientoligist or flying wierner dogs.... I care not for your love of a myth...what I do care about is infringing on other's rights or life by you myth lovers..... Freedom of religion is what I am about...as long as you people don't try to mess with my rights... |
U know very well that this'snot the Islam,so don't insult these events to this culture.
Because not every one has islamic or christian name respects or represents 100% the teachings,customes or anything in his/her religion,
so when u say that Bin Laden (who holding the Qura'an in his hand)
represents the islamic religion ,so u insist to make the same damn
agitation.SO CAN U SAY THAT GEORGE W. BUSH represents or respects the Christian religion, he swore on his Bible to not betray,not lie,respect the behaviours,.......,etc for his country and in front the whole world just to spread the peace everywhere without any discrimination,invasion,whipping the innocents in secret prisons,Abu Ghraib ,Guantanmo,.....etc.
SO Don't insult these persons to the three Divine religions.
the examples u mentioned don't ignore these facts nearer or far more...........
here're the examples (such as Egypt)
1.The British Univeristy in Egypt
2.The French Univeristy in Egypt
3.The German Univeristy in Cairo
4.Goethe Institute in Cairo
5.Al-Ahram Canadian Univeristy |
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| LazFX |
| quote: | Originally posted by M.Johan
U know very well that this'snot the Islam,so don't insult these events to this culture.
Because not every one has islamic or christian name respects or represents 100% the teachings,customes or anything in his/her religion,
so when u say that Bin Laden (who holding the Qura'an in his hand)
represents the islamic religion ,so u insist to make the same damn
agitation.SO CAN U SAY THAT GEORGE W. BUSH represents or respects the Christian religion, he swore on his Bible to not betray,not lie,respect the behaviours,.......,etc for his country and in front the whole world just to spread the peace everywhere without any discrimination,invasion,whipping the innocents in secret prisons,Abu Ghraib ,Guantanmo,.....etc. |
I see where you care coming from.....and yes you are right, I should not, as a non-believer of either faiths, should not judge all. Yeah I know, but as other things and I hope you can understand this parallel, your english is not good; and I say that with all the respect in the world...but at least you know another language, i don't even speak a da spanish ;) Just as Jessie Jackson does not speak for all blacks or those Hispanics marching for immigration reform do not speak for me, these events do not speak for all Muslims and or their culture........ interesting...... damn Z, I should smoke more often ;)
thanks for the links these schools look interesting....is thus the type of school that's in the article?
but....don;t let my new found outlook fool you, I still will not respect anyone or any group that does not take the bull by the horns and wrestle this religion back from the radicals, I mean the Christians had their reformation and burnings at the stake.....and when was the last time you heard of a Radical Christian in the past 3 days killing hundreds in the name of their god?? NOTICE I said days. |
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| M.Johan |
| quote: | Originally posted by LazFX
I see where you care coming from.....and yes you are right, I should not, as a non-believer of either faiths, should not judge all. Yeah I know, but as other things and I hope you can understand this parallel, your english is not good; and I say that with all the respect in the world...but at least you know another language, i don't even speak a da spanish ;) |
Learn Arabic...Wat's wrong??? :rolleyes:
| quote: | | Just as Jessie Jackson does not speak for all blacks or those Hispanics marching for immigration reform do not speak for me, these events do not speak for all Muslims and or their culture........ interesting...... damn Z, I should smoke more often ;) |
Wat's wrong with_Z?
| quote: | | thanks for the links these schools look interesting....is thus the type of school that's in the article? |
Read this article about arabic/Islamic students in England
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/relig...ng/school.shtml
| quote: | | but....don;t let my new found outlook fool you |
WTF
| quote: | | I still will not respect anyone or any group that does not take the bull by the horns and wrestle this religion back from the radicals, I mean the Christians had their reformation and burnings at the stake.....and when was the last time you heard of a Radical Christian in the past 3 days killing hundreds in the name of their god?? NOTICE I said days. |
Ok but also Mr.Bush is from the Europian middle ages
God gave him a personal message to invade Iraq and Afghanistan,
'I'm driven with a mission from God'.
“God would tell me, 'George, go and fight those terrorists in Afghanistan'.
"And I did, and then God would tell me, 'George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq...' And I did.
About the terroritic gruops there's something must b mentioned that US itself support terrorism in M.East.Supporting by the Pentagon & giving the rigths to live in USA to MEK & PJAK Int. terroristic groups for ex.
The details:
| quote: | | The enemy of my enemy is my friend," said terrorism expert Neil Livingstone at a news conference in Washington |
The Source
| quote: | | PJAK which is supported with equipment and training by Israeli Special Forces. This group receives its “lists of targets inside Iran” from the U.S.intel |
U.S. Support for Terrorism in Iran
Read also about how the CIA recruited and trained the jihadists (AQ)
and how they come to Europe |
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