Principal Resigns Over 'Intifada' T-Shirts
AP
Posted: 2007-08-11 10:13:10
Filed Under: Nation News
NEW YORK (Aug. 11) - An Arabic-themed public school will still open in September, despite the abrupt departure of its embattled principal, the city Department of Education said.
Photo Gallery: Lost in Translation?
Diane Bondareff, AP
Debbie Almontaser resigned as principal of an Arab-themed public school in New York Friday after she was criticized for being part of group selling shirts imprinted with the words "Intifada NYC."
So far, 45 students have enrolled in the Khalil Gibran International Academy, which is eventually to cover grades 6 to 12. But the Brooklyn school and its intended principal, Debbie Almontaser, have faced questions and criticism since plans for the academy were announced in February.
Almontaser resigned Friday after coming under fire for failing to condemn the use of the highly charged word "intifada" on T-shirts.
"I became convinced yesterday that this week's headlines were endangering the viability of Khalil Gibran International Academy, even though I apologized," she said in a statement.
Almontaser's departure comes on the heels of an editorial flaying in the New York Post and an article this week that connected Almontaser to Arab Women Active in Art and Media.
That group is selling shirts imprinted with the words "Intifada NYC." It shares office space with the Saba Association of American Yemenis, which counts Almontaser among its board members.
The tabloid asserted the shirts had a subversive meaning: "The inflammatory tees boldly declare 'Intifada NYC' - apparently a call for a Gaza-style uprising in the Big Apple."
Almontaser, a public school teacher with 15 years of experience, told the paper that was a stretch. She said the word, which is most commonly associated with the violent Palestinian uprising against the Israelis, "basically means 'shaking off."'
"That is the root word if you look it up in Arabic," she said. "I understand it is developing a negative connotation due to the uprising in the Palestinian-Israeli areas. I don't believe the intention is to have any of that kind of (violence) in New York City."
She said the shirts provided an "opportunity for girls to express that they are part of New York City society ... and shaking off oppression."
A message left on Almontaser's cell phone was not returned Friday.
The academy, named after the famed Lebanese-American Christian poet who promoted peace, would be one of a few nationwide that incorporate the Arabic language and culture.
It has had a rocky path to its planned opening. Initially supposed to share space with an elementary school, the academy was shut out after parents complained that there wasn't enough space. City officials chose another host school, with middle and high school students, but parents there have raised similar concerns.
Meanwhile, a number of conservative Web sites, blogs and other publications have come out against the school. Some have questioned Almontaser's character and tried to paint her as a radical Muslim with a dangerous agenda.
She has said the school will teach culture, not religion.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on his radio show that Almontaser is "certainly not a terrorist" but called her resignation the "right thing to do."
Still, Almontaser's departure appeared unlikely to end opposition to the school.
"The fact that she is gone doesn't mean anything at all. All the people behind her are still there," said Hope Winters, a Manhattan mother and member of a group that brought the "Intifada NYC" T-shirts to public attention.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2007-08-10 19:09:50
AP
Posted: 2007-08-11 10:13:10
Filed Under: Nation News
NEW YORK (Aug. 11) - An Arabic-themed public school will still open in September, despite the abrupt departure of its embattled principal, the city Department of Education said.
Photo Gallery: Lost in Translation?
Diane Bondareff, AP
Debbie Almontaser resigned as principal of an Arab-themed public school in New York Friday after she was criticized for being part of group selling shirts imprinted with the words "Intifada NYC."
So far, 45 students have enrolled in the Khalil Gibran International Academy, which is eventually to cover grades 6 to 12. But the Brooklyn school and its intended principal, Debbie Almontaser, have faced questions and criticism since plans for the academy were announced in February.
Almontaser resigned Friday after coming under fire for failing to condemn the use of the highly charged word "intifada" on T-shirts.
"I became convinced yesterday that this week's headlines were endangering the viability of Khalil Gibran International Academy, even though I apologized," she said in a statement.
Almontaser's departure comes on the heels of an editorial flaying in the New York Post and an article this week that connected Almontaser to Arab Women Active in Art and Media.
That group is selling shirts imprinted with the words "Intifada NYC." It shares office space with the Saba Association of American Yemenis, which counts Almontaser among its board members.
The tabloid asserted the shirts had a subversive meaning: "The inflammatory tees boldly declare 'Intifada NYC' - apparently a call for a Gaza-style uprising in the Big Apple."
Almontaser, a public school teacher with 15 years of experience, told the paper that was a stretch. She said the word, which is most commonly associated with the violent Palestinian uprising against the Israelis, "basically means 'shaking off."'
"That is the root word if you look it up in Arabic," she said. "I understand it is developing a negative connotation due to the uprising in the Palestinian-Israeli areas. I don't believe the intention is to have any of that kind of (violence) in New York City."
She said the shirts provided an "opportunity for girls to express that they are part of New York City society ... and shaking off oppression."
A message left on Almontaser's cell phone was not returned Friday.
The academy, named after the famed Lebanese-American Christian poet who promoted peace, would be one of a few nationwide that incorporate the Arabic language and culture.
It has had a rocky path to its planned opening. Initially supposed to share space with an elementary school, the academy was shut out after parents complained that there wasn't enough space. City officials chose another host school, with middle and high school students, but parents there have raised similar concerns.
Meanwhile, a number of conservative Web sites, blogs and other publications have come out against the school. Some have questioned Almontaser's character and tried to paint her as a radical Muslim with a dangerous agenda.
She has said the school will teach culture, not religion.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on his radio show that Almontaser is "certainly not a terrorist" but called her resignation the "right thing to do."
Still, Almontaser's departure appeared unlikely to end opposition to the school.
"The fact that she is gone doesn't mean anything at all. All the people behind her are still there," said Hope Winters, a Manhattan mother and member of a group that brought the "Intifada NYC" T-shirts to public attention.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2007-08-10 19:09:50
No one says anything to me when I wear it cuz the people it offends are huge pussies.
