On Wednesday, the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called for an investigation into an incident that occurred last month at Damascus Elementary School in Montgomery County.
CAIR, describes itself as “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.” The following was included in a press release by the group on Wednesday:
“During International School Night at the school, a Palestinian-American parent and her son represented the culture of Palestine. The child, a second-grade student, performed a well-known Palestinian poem. As he began reciting the poem, the parent of another student rose from the audience and began to heckle the child, shouting derogatory comments and attempting to shut down the recitation.
The school’s principal was in the audience and reportedly did not intervene or address the harassing outburst. Instead, the principal’s allegedly dismissive attitude left the child’s parent and family feeling silenced and unsupported.
“It was a poem, nothing else. This was unfair to my son,” said the mother of the second-grade student in a statement to CAIR. “I wish more people would come and talk to us. And ask us questions. Break the stereotypes about us and come and talk to us. We are not bad people.”
SEE: Letter to Interim Superintendent
CAIR is calling on Montgomery County Public Schools to take immediate action to address this incident and ensure that all students and families feel safe and respected. The group is calling on the school district to take the following actions:
- Conduct a Thorough Investigation: A comprehensive investigation into the incident, identifying those responsible for the heckling, and determining why appropriate measures were not initially taken.
- Issue a Public Apology: A public apology from the school to the student and their family, acknowledging the distress caused and committing to preventing such incidents in the future.
- Instate Protective Measures: Clear steps and policies that will be implemented to protect students’ speech rights and ensure they are not subjected to a hostile environment by other parents or family members. This includes training for staff on how to handle such incidents and communicate effectively with all parties involved.
- Provide Transparency: Regular updates on the progress of the investigation and the measures being put in place to safeguard the rights and well-being of students.
“We are appalled by this reportedly obnoxious behavior by a grown adult towards a young child and the lack of action and support from the school administration,” said CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “This incident underscores the urgent need for inclusivity and respect for all cultures and voices in our educational institutions. Schools should be safe spaces for students to express their heritage and share their stories without fear of harassment or intimidation.”
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