(BALTIMORE, Md., 12/21/2023) – On Tuesday, December 19, the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) joined a protest led by Teachers Against Genocide and other groups in solidarity with educators in the Montgomery County Public Schools system who have suffered administrative consequences and been discriminated against for voicing their support for Palestinian human rights.
SEE: Teachers, students protest suspension of educators who shared pro-Palestinian views (Washington Post)
In her remarks at the event, CAIR Maryland representative Sabrin Niamathullah said in part:
We are in strong solidarity with teachers and students in Montgomery County Public Schools fighting for their right to freedom of expression and the community rallying behind them to hold our school systems accountable. Over the last 8 weeks, amidst Israel’s unprecedented assault on Gaza, our office has learned of at least five cases where MCPS teachers have been placed on administrative leave simply for expressing solidarity with Palestinian human rights in some cases without any opportunity to discuss or address the circumstances of their suspension. This is wrong. It is unjust. It is unconstitutional.
Recently our office announced an EEOC complaint on behalf of one of these teachers Ms. Hajur El-Haggan, we are calling for her immediate reinstatement.
MCPS must protect our teachers from unjust policies that are being arbitrarily instated and applied inequitably.
An alarming number of teachers in the Maryland public school system are being reprimanded for Palestine advocacy following Israel’s siege and invasion of the Gaza strip. Hajur El-Haggan, a teacher at Argyle Middle School, voiced support for Palestinians in her email signature, and was suspended without notice; many of her colleagues have expressed support for different causes in their email signatures without suffering any consequences. CAIR has filed a discrimination complaint on Ms. El-Haggan’s behalf to the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
SEE: Complaint says Muslim Arab American teacher was discriminated against after put on leave over pro-Palestinian phrase in email
https://www.cnn.com/us/teacher-disciplined-palestinian-email-slogan/index.html
CAIR to Announce EEOC Complaint Against Maryland Public School System for Discrimination Against Muslim Arab Middle School Teacher
Dozens of students, educators and community leaders attended Tuesday’s rally, demanding all educators placed on administrative leave for voicing support for Palestine to be reinstated.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062