The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today commended Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) newly appointed Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor for his commitment to addressing hate bias within the school system and welcomed steps he and his office have taken so far to promote inclusivity this academic year.
Earlier this week, CAIR joined representatives from the Montgomery County Muslim Council, Jewish Voice for Peace DC Metro chapter, Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee, MCPS for Palestine and other Jewish and Muslim advocates at a meeting with Dr. Taylor and members of the MCPS Hate Bias Steering Committee to discuss challenges and obstacles students and educators faced during the last academic year, especially while advocating for Palestinian human rights, and to identify solutions and next steps to help protect their safety and rights and prevent viewpoint discrimination.
“We are encouraged by Dr. Taylor’s leadership and focus on creating a safe and inclusive environment for MCPS students that prioritizes their safety and rights, including for Palestinian, Muslim and Arab children,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “Addressing bias and discrimination is crucial for their well-being and the integrity of our educational systems. CAIR looks forward to continued dialogue to ensure our communities’ concerns are resolved.”
During the meeting, MCPS officials provided updates on new or improved structures and processes to address hate bias, including:
- new Hate-Bias Tiered Reporting System to streamline and clarify how incidents are reported and handled
- new review process to ensure all professional learning provided by external organizations aligns with the district’s goals
- new Hate-Bias Crisis Team to ensure consistent and culturally responsive communication
- new Hate-Bias Awareness Campaign to educate students on interrupting and reporting it
- new Hate Bias Advisory Community comprised of community partners, MCPS staff and students to provide feedback and input, and monitor the district’s adherence to its commitments to ensure accountability and transparency in the processes
The school system announced it is also providing mandatory training for all school-based administrators on identifying, reporting, communicating, and addressing hate bias.
School officials recently produced and released a ‘Say No to Islamophobia’ video featuring students that was shared with social studies content supervisors, content specialists and resource teachers.
SEE Video: ‘Say No to Islamophobia’ | MCPS
This initiative is aimed to foster an inclusive environment where all students, including those from Muslim and Arab backgrounds, can thrive and express themselves freely.
Last month, CAIR announced new civil rights data on issues impacting Muslim and Arab communities in Maryland. That data highlights a troubling trend in reports of discrimination, free speech violations, hate bias incidents and bullying, among other concerns. CAIR documented 413 cases of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian complaints, incidents and requests for assistance statewide in Maryland between January – June 2024
From January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023.
SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, [email protected], 410-971-6062; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]