As you may know, there has been a storm of controversy brewing about the opening of the Kahlil Gibran International Academy, the first high school to focus on Arabic arts, culture and language to open in New York. Since the school was first announced, the right wing media in New York, particularly the Sun and the NY Post have been running a smear campaign against it. This Monday, August 20th at 6pm, there will be a community building event for the school. Please join JFREJ and members of communities from across New York in standing with Debbie and the fierce leaders of the Khalil Gibran International Academy and against anti-Arab racism, Islamophobia and hate-mongering. Dara Silverman ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENT Monday, August 20, 6pm Department of Education Tweed Courthouse 52 Chambers Street Subways: 4, 5, 6, N, R, W, M, J, 2, 3, A, C Communities in Support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy As New Yorkers and others in support of quality public education for all of our communities, we stand in solidarity with the Khalil Gibran International Academy, which has sustained hateful and false attacks by anti-Arab media and extremists. In the post-9/11 world, a school educating our children about Arab history, culture, and language is not only crucial for the next generation to become informed leaders for positive change in our communities; it is also an extraordinary place of hope for peace, understanding, and justice for our embattled world. We regret that Debbie Almontaser was pressured to resign and applaud her work to establish this school and promote intercultural exchange in this diverse global city. Those who seek to equate the study of Arabic language, culture, and history with religious fanaticism and violence are irresponsibly aggravating a present moment of hysteria against Arab and Muslim communities, and are using this moment to promote hatred in a time of war. We urge our public officials to reject these racist and inaccurate attacks, and continue to work towards building a lasting educational institution that promises to bring our communities together, rather than divide and pit them against each other. We call on all communities who want to see peace on our streets and in our world to stand with us in support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy. Sponsors: Arab Resource and Organizing Center, San Francisco, CA AWAAM: Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media Brown Memorial Church Center for Immigrant Families Council on American Islamic Relations - NY Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) Muslim Consultive Network Steering Committee/WFB Program at First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn Endorsers: Aleise Barnett, NYC Public School Teacher Carol Horwitz, Concerned Brooklyn Resident Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Executive Director, Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition Alice Fisher, The Abrahamic Network of NY and Member of Congregation B'nai Jeshuran, NYC Robert Patterson, Theatre Professional and Community Organizer View Site Malika Rushdan; Consultant & Artist: Modern Age ArtView Site Rev. Charles H. Straut, Jr., DMin, Member, KGIA Advisory Committee
