Arabic-language teaching arrives in New York

The Economist:

“MARCH on,” wrote the Lebanese-American philosopher and poet Khalil Gibran, “and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life's path.” Thus did the pupils, staff and administrators of the institution named after him march through a storm of controversy and into the doors of the Khalil Gibran International Academy this week.

The school, which will teach Arabic as well as Middle Eastern history and culture and will inevitably discuss Islam, has been under scrutiny since the New York Department of Education announced its creation last February. Conservative commentators have muttered that it will be a training ground for terrorists. Many portrayed Debbie Almontaser, the school's Yemeni-American principal, as an apologist for suicide-bombers after she insufficiently denounced an Arab women's group that produces “Intifada NYC” T-shirts.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at September 8, 2007 12:00 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas