The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today condemned threats allegedly made by an assistant principal at Edison High School against members of the Muslim Students Association when the group requested to host a joint Ramadan iftar event with area schools earlier this year but was denied the opportunity.
Members of the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at Edison High School met with their Assistant Principal Nicole Himmelstein on February 29, 2024, to discuss their annual Ramadan iftar event.
The brief meeting, which only lasted for a few minutes, came after the MSA requested to host an Iftar event at Edison High and invite high school students from nearby Piscataway and North Brunswick. The MSA has held joint iftar events during Ramadan in previous years.
However, MSA board members were reportedly instructed by the assistant principal that they were barred from hosting the iftar event with other schools, citing security concerns, two MSA board members who attended the meeting told CAIR-NJ.
Instead, the assistant principal told them the MSA can either host an iftar event only for Edison High School students or not do it at all, according to MSA members and an audio recording of the meeting.
AUDIO RECORDING REVEALS THREATS
In the audio recording, Himmelstein is allegedly heard telling MSA students that she would take action against them if they seek outside entities in advocating for the joint iftar event at the school.
LISTEN: Edison High School Assistant Principal Threatens Muslim Students
“I have no problem contacting your university where you got in and explaining what’s going on if you want to take it further,” Himmelstein allegedly says in the audio recording in what appears to be an attempt to intimidate the students.
Himmelsteinallegedly continued to question the character and values of the Muslim students, according to the audio.
“You guys are not upholding good leadership skills, and I don’t think any university would want to have students who don’t fulfill good character and values. Do we understand?” Himmelstein says.
ACT NOW: Show Up and Speak at The Edison Board of Education Meeting on July 22
Taha Shaikh, former president of the MSA at Edison High School, said in a statement:
“I felt discriminated against, and the board felt afraid as well because it felt like she was threatening our college acceptances after we worked hard for four years.
“I felt she was trying to bully us into not hosting the joint event, even though other school clubs have been allowed to invite outside students to their events.”
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Interim Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi said:
“CAIR-NJ heard from students who expressed how the joint iftar event between high schools near Edison is how they build, cultivate and maintain a sense of community and belonging. It’s disheartening and extremely alarming to see a school official who is supposed to lead by example allegedly use her position of power to threaten Muslim students over an event aimed at nurturing their relationship and growing their community.”
“CAIR-NJ calls on the Edison Board of Education to review this matter and treat it seriously so that other students aren’t subjected to this type of vindictive behavior and bullying.”
BACKGROUNDER
CAIR-NJ obtained the roughly three-minute audio recording of the meeting between the eight-member MSA board and the assistant principal. CAIR-NJ has verified the authenticity of the recording and confirmed the names of speakers.
MSA members contacted CAIR-NJ for support and assistance while this incident was unfolding earlier this year. Ultimately, the students felt fear and intimidation after their meeting with the assistant principal who allegedly threatened retaliation simply for wanting to host a joint Iftar event. One MSA board member relayed to CAIR-NJ that they were concerned and afraid the assistant principal would disband the MSA altogether. CAIR-NJ is not naming that student because they expressed fear of retaliation.
CAIR-NJ is adhering to a confidentiality agreement with the person who shared the audio recording and will not release information about their identity.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Interim Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482