(BALTIMORE, MD, 11/21/2023) – Earlier today, the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed news that Seneca Valley High School officials in Montgomery County, Maryland, are launching an investigation into reports from multiple sources that Muslim students at that school were allegedly singled out by a teacher in a discriminatory way because of their Islamic faith during a classroom discussion on Israel and Palestine.
According to reports made to CAIR, the National, State & Local Government teacher at the school based in Germantown, led a discussion on the violence in Palestine and Israel and drew parallels to the 9/11 attacks. He then allegedly asked the class: “If there was one person in this room who you would think is a terrorist, who would it be?” at which point, students reportedly turned to a visibly Muslim student in the classroom.
CAIR has received an unprecedented number of reports of Muslim students experiencing Islamophobic incidents in recent weeks, as elected leaders in Montgomery County and elsewhere largely hold their silence and fail to demonstrate support for their Palestinian, Muslim and Arab constituencies.
“Educators are tasked with the responsibility of demonstrating that they can objectively create an inclusive space in their classrooms regardless of their own political views,” said CAIR’s Maryland director Zainab Chaudry. “We are troubled by these reports of students reportedly being singled out because of their faith identity and welcome the Seneca Valley High School administrators’ commitment to conduct a thorough investigation and take any appropriate action. We also call on lawmakers to publicly address the unprecedented rise in Islamophobia.”
The civil rights group offers free diversity trainings and a booklet, called “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.
SEE: CAIR Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
CAIR California recently released its 2023 Bullying Report, which revealed that more than 40% of Muslim students in California schools reported being bullied, which is double the national average. It has also released a guide that contains practical advice for both students and their families on how to recognize bullying when they experience or witness it and how to advocate for themselves in response.
SEE: CAIR-CA’s 2023 Bullying Report
SEE: CAIR’s Guide to Addressing Bullying and Bias in Schools
This incident comes as Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians across the country report a surge in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate since the escalation of violence in Palestine and Israel last month. Last week, CAIR released new data indicating a 216% surge in complaints, including reported incidents of bias, reported to its offices since the start of the crisis on October 7th.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations encourages those experiencing similar acts of aggression, racism, and Islamophobia to call their local CAIR offices and report these incidents immediately.
SEE ALSO: CAIR’s Report an Incident Form
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, 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