The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Robert Goddard Montessori School’s response to its call for an investigation into virulently Islamophobic slurs and threats reportedly made last month against a fifth-grade Muslim student by the adult male parent of her classmate.
CAIR requested immediate action to protect the child and her family, as well as other Muslim students within the school.
The Washington, D.C., based civil rights group, which had requested information on steps the school was taking to address this matter, received confirmation from the school principal that “comprehensive measures have been taken” to protect the Muslim child’s safety, and that because the other family violated the school’s guidelines and code of conduct, they have been expelled from the school.
“It’s an immense relief to this child’s family that they and their daughter will not have to encounter this Islamophobic individual when she returns to Robert Goddard Montessori in the Fall,” said CAIR’s Maryland director Zainab Chaudry. “This ordeal has understandably taken a substantial toll, and the school’s response indicates that they value their students’ safety and well-being. All children deserve a safe and inclusive and respectful learning environment.”
“These are unacceptable and scary threats, and no family could be rest assured about their children’s safety after reading and listening to these messages,” said the Muslim child’s father to CAIR. “Our daughter is only 9 years old, and we have been shocked and worried for her and what this situation would mean for her. Jazakallahu khairan [“May God reward you with goodness”] for the support you have given us throughout to ensure our family’s safety.”
BACKGROUNDER:
On July 3, CAIR sent a letter to the school’s principal, Ms. Deatrice Womach, expressing serious safety concerns regarding the individual’s hate-filled comments describing the Muslim student, who wears hijab, or the Islamic headscarf, as a “future terrorist” and her family “followers of a child molester.”
The letter read in part:
“[CAIR is] writing to formally request an investigation and immediate action into an incident recently reported [to us] involving a fifth grade student at your school that has raised significant concerns about her personal safety, the school climate for Muslim students and general standards of conduct within the school community.
In May, [the child] was reportedly involved in a minor situation with another student who allegedly [took an item that belonged to her] without permission. CAIR was informed that this matter was resolved, and that [the child’s] pencil was returned to her. [The child] who wears the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, has no previous reports of misconduct according to her parents, and appears to be a model student.
[Her] parents came to learn about this situation when, a few weeks later, the father of the other student who reportedly [took her item] posted very troubling Islamophobic audio and text messages in a WhatsApp group chat with other parents that included vulgar comments and tropes. CAIR is in receipt of these messages, which are deeply racist and directly target [her] and her family. In them, this male adult calls this minor Muslim child a “future terrorist” and her family “followers of child molester,” and says that he is “taking things into [his] own hands” among other threats and slurs. In one audio clip forwarded to CAIR, the father of the other student, , angrily calls [the child] a “terrorist,” says “f*** you, you terrorist piece of s***” before saying “I think it’s my time [inaudible] put a bullet, f*** Muhammad.” The individual’s display photo in the group chat is of an Israeli flag.
[The child’s] parents, who reportedly have not had any interaction with this person and aren’t familiar with him or his daughter, have been shocked and horrified to read and hear these messages. They are understandably deeply concerned and fearful for their daughter’s safety, and CAIR shares their concerns. This matter has been reported to the Prince George’s County Police Department, and ’s family is seeking a restraining order against this individual.”
SEE: Letter to Robert Goddard Montessori School
CAIR has offered its assistance to the school in providing training and resources to support a diverse and respectful school environment. The organization remains committed to advocating for the rights of Muslim students and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive without facing racism, harassment and discrimination.
SEE: CAIR’s Guide Against Bullying and Bias in Schools: Practical Steps for Youth and Their Families
Muslim students often face intimidation and harassment within public school systems in the United States which can manifest as bullying, discriminatory remarks, and social exclusion. These experiences can be particularly harsh for visibly Muslim students who wear religious attire. Harassment may include verbal abuse, physical threats, and online cyberbullying, creating a hostile and unsafe learning environment. This atmosphere not only affects their academic performance but also their mental and emotional well-being.
Recently, CAIR welcomed the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) launching an official investigation following a complaint it filed on behalf of a 12-year-old Muslim student in Cambridge, Maryland. The child, who attends Dorchester County Public Schools, reportedly endured harassment, assaults and faith-based bullying spanning at least March 25 through May 1 during which her hijab, or Islamic headscarf, was forcibly removed at least twice.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes U.S. DOE Probe of Reported Assaults, Forced Hijab Removal of Maryland Muslim Student
Despite efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity, many schools still lack adequate measures to address and prevent such behavior, leaving some students feeling vulnerable and unsupported. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive policy changes, initiatives to educate and raise awareness, and a commitment from school administrators to create a safe and respectful environment for all students.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (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.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293