New York Arabic school plan runs into row

April 15, 2007

New York: This city has dozens of small public schools that focus on themes, such as sports careers, the arts, and social justice. Few generate any controversy.

Then, someone decided to start an Arabic-themed school. "Jihadi", "public madrassa", and "segregationist" are just a few of the labels tossed at the plan.

Conservative websites have seethed against the idea, as have some members of the public. Even concerns about finding space for the school have been coupled with questions about security.

All this before the school has enrolled a single student. "It's hard not to believe that this is in some way a political statement," said one opponent, 72-year-old Lorna Salzman of Brooklyn. "I think it can very easily deteriorate into something that people could see as confrontational."

Debbie Almontaser expected the reaction. The longtime New York City educator, a Muslim of Yemeni background, will be leading the soon-to-open Khalil Gibran International Academy. She has done extensive interfaith and cultural work to fight stereotypes about Arabs and Muslims in the post-September 11 world. "It is a school that is going to be working quite hard in building bridges of understanding, tolerance and acceptance, valuing diversity and truly just developing students into global citizens," she said.