The Austin Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas, Austin), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for accountability and reconsideration of the approved SS TEKS after a substitute teacher reportedly singled out 3rd grade Muslim students on Sep. 11th in 3 consequent Math classes asking them to raise their hands then associated Muslims and the God of Islam to violence and murder of innocent people.
In Georgetown, Texas, and on September 11th, a male substitute teacher reportedly started his 3 math classes asking how many Muslims are in the classroom. The Muslim students innocently raised their hands then the teacher went on saying “You guys are the “Good Muslims”; let me tell you what the “Bad Muslims” did 25 years ago on Sep. 11th.” He later told the students that the God of Islam promotes murder of innocent people. This discussion allegedly, according to the concerned parents who reported to CAIR-Texas, took a significant time of the classes and the teacher could not finish the Math materials assigned to him.
CAIR-Texas encouraged parents to communicate directly with the school admins and is following up to ensure accountability and appropriate training.
In a statement, CAIR-Texas, Austin Director Shaimaa Zayan said:
“This alleged incident gives us a glimpse of what Texas classrooms will look like after the implementation of the new Social Studies TEKS in 2030. The false and hateful narrative that was approved by the SBOE in June and early this month has inspired and emboldened this adult to harass 3rd grade Muslim students and spread falsehood, fear and division among all students.
“Allah, the Arabic word for God that is used in the Arabic translation of the Bible and widely by Christian Arabs, promotes justice and forbid transgression. Taking sacred verses out of context and teaching false and/or selective history may make some within the U.S. cultural majority feel good but will not create educated minds. Five and a half million Texan students deserve to learn the truth about Muslims and Islam. They also deserve to feel safe around people who worship differently from them.”
READ: State education board finalizes anti-Islamic rewrite of Texas social studies lessons
Also READ: Revised Texas Social Studies Curriculum Shields Students from Complexity
CAIR-Texas offers Islamophobia and bystanders trainings for schools, workplaces, and law enforcement. To request a training, send an email to [email protected]
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CONTACT: CAIR-Texas, Austin Director Shaimaa Zayan, [email protected]; Sameeha Rizvi, CAIR-Texas Government Affairs and Legislative Manager, [email protected]