Informed sources tell us that an atmosphere of rage over Almontaser's ouster permeated the meeting, which was dominated by Muslim as opposed to Arab, political interests.

Many of the participants were extremely upset over the actions of Mayor Bloomberg. They also took exception to KGIA's just appointed interim principal, Danielle Salzberg an Orthodox Jew, apparently solely on the basis of her religious affiliation.

At one point during the meeting, the editor of a local Muslim publication ranted against "Zionists."

This is the type of intolerance that will be KGIA's stock-in-trade, an agendized "social activism" that will gestate into militant thuggery, taught by elements of the community whose primary loyalty is to shari'a, who reject even such basic American ideas as freedom of the press.

Joel Klein's appointment of Ms. Salzberg should be seen as an affront to anyone concerned about the opening of this Arab-centric public school, which already has a notorious reputation. Salzberg's appointment must be seen is a blatant effort to deceptively manipulate the public debate in this matter, using Judaism as if it were nothing but an emotion laden public relations device.

The DOE's actions in this case have been disingenuous in the extreme and along with Chancellor Klein's extremely poor judgment, add another powerful reason as to why KGIA must never be allowed to open. http://www.pipelinenews.org/index.cfm?page=kgia81307.htm

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MIM: More proof of the radical support behind KGIA and Almontaser: The pro Saddam Al Qaeda linked website uruk.net put out an Action Alert about the KGIA and reprinted an open letter by RAWI-the Radius of Arab American Writers.

ACTION ALERT: A Zionist to head the first Arabic School in NY Haitham, Sabbah's blog This must be the one of the worst jokes I've heard, ever… NY's 1st Arabic School Occupied by a Zionist Principal! The new principal of the city's controversial Arabic-themed school is an ardent Zionist who considered moving to Israel, according to her former Jerusalem roommate. The latest revelation puts a strange twist on the saga of the Khalil Gibran International Academy, the new city school that's been in the cross hairs of critics since its inception... continua / continued [35433] [ 17-aug-2007 22:28 ECT ] http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:7ErwE1sBDycJ:www.uruknet.info/%3Fp%3D-6%26l%3De+uruk.net+khalil+gibran&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us http://www.uruknet.info/?p=m35433&hd=&size=1&l=e -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACTION ALERT: A Zionist to head the first Arabic School in NY Haitham, Sabbah's blog August 17, 2007 This must be the one of the worst jokes I've heard, ever… [Hat tip: Akram Awad] NY's 1st Arabic School Occupied by a Zionist Principal! ISLAM PROF IS 'ZION'-HEARTED By CHUCK BENNETT and JOHN MAZOR New York Post - August 15, 2007 The new principal of the city's controversial Arabic-themed school is an ardent Zionist who considered moving to Israel, according to her former Jerusalem roommate. The latest revelation puts a strange twist on the saga of the Khalil Gibran International Academy, the new city school that's been in the cross hairs of critics since its inception. Interim Principal Danielle Salzberg, 35, hosted an orientation seminar at the Brooklyn school yesterday for parents and students. It was her first full day on the job since the school's original principal, Debbie Almontaser, a Muslim and Arabic-speaker, quit last week. She had been caught up in a furor over her comments to The Post downplaying the "Intifada NYC" T-shirts her organization was linked to. Salzberg's former roommate Aliza Hemed described the new principal's two passions in life as Israel and educating youngsters. And, in the end, Salzberg chose teaching New York City's youth over life in the Holy Land. "If anything, she was a Zionist. She had every intention to make aliyah [Hebrew for immigration to Israel] and move there, but she came back and fell in love with her [students] and the job," said Hemed. "Most American Orthodox [Jews] have a love of Israel - I'm sure it's still in her." Salzberg first met Hemed as an undergrad at New York University. They were both observant Orthodox Jews and Salzberg held leadership positions with the school's Hillel, a Jewish group. Upon graduation in 1993, the two spent a year studying Hebrew and Middle East politics at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Salzberg stayed away from political rallies and other activities, Hemed said. Then in 1994, they moved back to Manhattan where they shared an apartment on the East Side for several years. Salzberg began work as a teaching assistant in city schools while pursuing her master's degree in education from Columbia University's Teachers College. "Her kids were her life. Every little progress they made she was so proud of them," Hemed said. Salzberg, who had helped Almontaser develop the school's curriculum, did not return requests for comment. The school's first sixth-grade class of 44 students is scheduled to begin Sept. 4. Eventually, the school will expand to the 12th grade. While Salzberg is still technically an interim principal, a Department of Education spokeswoman said the agency wants to install her permanently. "I'm sorry the last woman didn't work out, but I think we're better off going on and attacking the problem again and we've got the right person this time," Mayor Bloomberg said. Still, Arab community activists said Monday evening during a meeting at the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge that they will start a letter-writing campaign to try and get Almontaser reinstated. Action Alert: 1 - Write to Joel Klein, the NYC Department of Education Chancellor, expressing your disgust at his department's decision Use this link http://schools.nyc.gov/webforms/chancellormessage.aspx (FYI, Klein is the same person who banned the director of Columbia University's Middle East Institute, Professor Rashid Khalidi, from participating in a NYC school teachers' training on the Middle East because of his criticism of Israel, and the one who approved a curriculum that grants graduate credit to NYC teachers who take a 30-hour course of study on Israel, written by the Israeli Consulate. 2- Call the NYC Department of Education and speak to the Chancellor about it Tel No. (718) 935-2000 3- Most importantly, EMAIL & CALL DEBBIE ALMONTASER AND SHOW HER YOUR SUPPORT Debbie contacts are: Email: [email protected] Phone: (001) 718-643-8000 :: Article nr. 35433 sent on 17-aug-2007 22:28 ECT www.uruknet.info?p=35433 UPDATE ON ZIONIST TAKEOVER OF NYC SCHOOL Desert Peace (Ben Heine © Cartoons) August 20, 2007 The Radius of Arab American Writers Inc. (RAWI) has just issued the following statement regarding the FORCED resignation of a Muslim school principal of New York City's first Islamic High School.... and replaced by a zionist. Please read it and circulate it on your blogs. RAWI Statement on Debbie Almontaser Written by RAWI RAWI Urges the City of New York to Reinstate Debbie Almontaser RAWI, the Radius of Arab American Writers, is concerned by the recent "resignation" of Debbie Almontaser from New York City's Khalil Gibran International Academy, a public school devoted to Arabic language and culture. Almontaser generated public controversy when she was spotted by a reporter wearing a tee-shirt with the phrase "Intifada NYC" at an event sponsored by Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media. Both the event and the organization are unrelated to the Gibran Academy. As Almontaser attempted to explain repeatedly, the shirt is not in any way an endorsement of violence; "the word basically means 'shaking off,'" she noted. Almontaser was subjected to vicious and factually unsubstantiated attacks by neoconservative media and commentators such as Daniel Pipes, who published sensationalistic articles entitled "A Madrassa Grows in Brooklyn" and "Stop the NYC Madrassa." ("Madrassa" merely means "school" in Arabic.) Rupert Murdoch's New York Post dubbed Almontaser "the Initifada Principal" and ran an editorial under the title "What's Arabic for Shut It Down?" Amid the brouhaha, Randi Weingarten, the president of Almontaser's union, The United Federation of Teachers, took a public stand in opposition to Almontaser. Almontaser, an Arabic-speaking Yemeni immigrant, is the founding principal of the school and is a veteran public school teacher. Because of the intense pressure, she was advised to resign as principal of the Academy; Mayor Michael Bloomberg accepted her resignation and swiftly replaced her with Danielle Salzberg, a non-Arabic-speaking American Jew; according to The Post, Salzberg is "an ardent Zionist who considered moving to Israel." RAWI views this intense pressure and Almontaser's subsequent resignation as symptoms of pervasive anti-Arab racism in the United States through which nonviolent, workaday Arabic terms have been stigmatized with sinister, albeit nonsensical, connotations. We correspondingly view New York City's move to replace Almontaser with a non-Arab Zionist as a profound insult to the Arab American community. The clear message to the Arab American community is that we cannot undertake any of our own affairs without continuous public scrutiny and external bureaucratic supervision. We have also learned that in moments of crisis the fear and loathing of Arabs will supersede the commonsensical need to exercise basic civil responsibility. As a community of writers, scholars, and artists, RAWI is concerned about the consequences of the Almontaser imbroglio to the freedom of intellectual and cultural expression. If the City of New York can be cowed into taking action against a decorated principal who had done nothing other than wear a tee-shirt emblazoned with a cultural slogan, then groups whose purpose is to restrict public freedom will be inexcusably empowered. The effect of such groups on the Arab American community has already been substantial and has the potential to become pernicious. Almontaser was the victim of a sensationalistic and premeditated media attack. She was then the victim of cowardice by her union and employers. RAWI urges the City of New York to reinstate her forthwith as principal of the Gibran Academy, a position from which she had no legitimate reason to resign. http://uruk.info/?p=m35508&hd=&size=1&l=e --------------------------- MIM:AWAAM the makers of the "INTIFADA NYC" T-shirts printed this letter from the Center for Immigrant Families which justified the intifada. News Letter Writing Anyone? 2007-08-17 Letter CIF sent to UFT President Randi Weingarten Dear Randi, We are deeply disappointed and upset by your statements in opposition to Debbie Almontaser. We believe your statements have played a role in furthering the anti-Arab and anti-Muslim racism that pervades and infects our City. Aside from everything else that points to the racist nature of this whole incident, do you not know that in most parts of the world, the word intifada connotes resistance to an unethical and illegal and brutal occupation? It is not the word intifada that promotes violence or that should be denounced; rather, what should be denounced is an occupation that promotes violence and that made the intifada necessary. And do you also not know that if principals were forced to resign for making a statement that someone thought was insensitive or inappropriate or stupid (which this was not), we'd likely have almost no principals left in NYC? Finally, as you know, New York City has one of the most inequitable and discriminatory school systems in the country--one that has grossly under-served low income and families of color. It is our view that we should be doing everything possible to support, not destroy efforts to strengthen schools that promote critical thinking and a concern for the world around us and that reflect, respect, and serve our many different communities. You are certainly entitled to your personal views on this matter, but you represent the teachers of this city and need to be held accountable for your public statements and positions. For the sake of the children of our city and for a commitment to fighting racism and injustice, we urge you to make a public apology for your comments that helped lead to the resignation of Debbie Almontaser. Sincerely, Center for Immigrant Families New York City http://awaam.org/index.php?name=pagetool_news&news_id=5 MIM: Adem Carroll a spokesman for ICNA (an Al Qaeda linked group which also funds Hamas) is head of the Muslim Consultative Network where Almontaser sits on the board. He threatens violence if Arab demands are not met. To the editor, It is truly deplorable that the Department of Education has forced out Debbie Almontaser from the Gibran Academy, a project she helped to initiate. Sadly, Debbie was smeared in the media and hounded from her job because she defined the meaning of "intifada" accurately as "throwing off oppression," while also clearly indicating that she opposes violence. Apparently that is not good enough for the powers that be here in New York City. Almontaser's statement was hardly incorrect — defining the Arabic meaning of "intifada" is what educators do. Moreover, Debbie was clear in her condemnation of violence. The city has completely failed in objectivity in this matter. Instead, schools Chancellor Joel Klein blamed the victim, who is clearly Almontaser. The extreme right has consistently attacked the Gibran Academy. By giving in to such negative forces, the city has taught a terrible lesson to the students and families. As a colleague active with Debbie in interfaith dialogue, I know I am not alone in currently reassessing the merits of dialogue and civic engagement. Debbie is very well known for her interfaith work on the grassroots level in Brooklyn. If New York is remain an open, tolerant and vital city, we cannot allow leaders to be harassed and hounded. You will find yourself with a deeply alienated generation of Arabs and Muslims, a dangerous situation not easily remedied. Adem Carroll, The Bronx The writer is head of the Muslim Consultative Network http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/33/30_33letters.html ---------------------------- MIM: In 2002 CAIR and Michael Feinberg a KGIA supporter participated a "peace" event which included Lynn Stewart the lawyer of Omar Abdul Rahman who had been indicted for smuggling out fatwas from the terror leader calling for the killing of Jews and to deadly attacks on non Muslim tourists in Egypt. http://www.notinourname.net/reports/2002_jun6/new_york.html June 6, 2002 New York City Report The event was moved indoors because of the threat of rain - and did it pour, with thunder and lightning!!! Out in Washington Square Park (our original location), soaked but dedicated stilt walkers from Circus Amok and others on the ground waving globe flags got out the Not In Our Name message, talked to people and directed them to Judson Memorial Church nearby, a church with a long history of being at the center of progressive activity. The event was well publicized thanks to WBAI (the local Pacifica radio station) and a dedicated outreach crew, so when the doors opened at 5:30, people poured in. More then 400 people participated in the kick-off event. There was a great feeling of a growing community of resistance against this war, and people were moved and inspired by a powerful program. A beautiful 9-foot banner with a globe and the words "War on the World? Not In Our Name!" decorated the stage. The crowd was welcomed by Rev. Peter Laarman, Senior Minister, Judson Memorial Church. The program, MC'd by Not In Our Name organizers Reecha and Miles, was divided into two sections: vivid exposures about the war & repression, and a concluding section where the Pledge was recited by everyone followed by short statements from a diverse group of people about why they had taken the Pledge. Speakers included Tom Koutsoukos from the International Solidarity Movement, who was recently deported from Israel for attempting to bring food into the Church of the Nativity during the recent siege; Paul Rehm, a volunteer with Voices in the Wilderness, who talked about his trip to Iraq and the human cost of sanctions; Arshad Majid from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), NY spoke about how the Muslim community in America has been affected by 9/11; Robina Niaz, Not In Our Name organizer and a Pakistani Muslim, spoke about her fears regarding the threat of war between India and Pakistan and how " the U.S. government's war on terrorism has unleashed terror around the world." Jeremy Glick, editor of the book, Another World is Possible and whose father was killed in the 9/11 attacks, spoke out against the government's use of his father's memory to wage war on the world; women from South Asians Against Police Brutality and Racism did a powerful performance based on testimonies from people who are being detained; Syed Ali, a Pakistani man with a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and a U.S. resident for 20 years, described his 105 days as a detainee at Riker's Island. Mary Lou Greenberg, a national organizer for Not In Our Name, talked about the history of the Not In Our Name project; Molly Klopot from Women's International League for Peace & Freedom and a Not In Our Name organizer, put the need to resist in a historical context and stressed "the patriotic duty to dissent." Leslie Cagen, interim head of Pacifica Network, expressed her confidence that "we can learn from our own history and we can learn from our sisters and brothers all around the world and actually we can stop this madness." Lynne Stewart, people's attorney, spoke out against her recent indictment by John Ashcroft. D'Lo, Brian Buño and Fawzia A. Khan also performed, and DJ Flood provided beats throughout the evening. A statement was read from Michael Ratner, Vice President of The Center for Constitutional Rights. The program culminated in a moving Pledge ceremony as representatives of organizations, religious figures, Lynne Stewart, Jeremy Glick, and others took the stage together. Kamal Taha, a 12-year-old Palestinian, introduced the need for the Pledge by speaking "for the children of the world" who also suffer from U.S. policies and about the hurt he feels being Arab in this country right now. He recited sections of the Pledge and told the crowd that he also feels that he can look to a different future, that another world is possible. Laura from the Kent State Anti-War Committee (and who came to NYC to help with national Not In Our Name coordination leading up to June 6) was fired up as she proclaimed: "All right! Is it all right? No it's not all right; people are dying and suffering around the world, but we're all here and this is a great start!" She led the auditorium in a recitation of the Pledge, which was followed by a chorus of voices each giving their personal reasons for having taken the Pledge. These voices included Rev. Earl Kooperkamp from St. Mary's Episcopal Church; Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Executive Director, Greater NY Labor-Religion Coalition; Juanita Young, whose son Malcolm Ferguson was killed by the NYPD; Arshad Majid from CAIR-NY, Lynne Stewart; representatives from Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), Direct Action Network (DAN), the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade, Women in Islam, South Asians Against Police Brutality & Racism, and New Yorkers Say No to War. Joe Urgo, of Vietnam Veterans Against the War - Anti-Imperialist read a statement from Plowshares peace activist Phillip Berrigan. Hearing all the diverse reasons why people were compelled to take the Pledge was incredibly powerful and raised everyone's sights about the potential for "Not In Our Name" to spread far and wide and become a powerful force in society against the war and repression. Much later Thursday night, some Not In Our Name organizers led a reading of the pledge on the subway on the way home. Everyone on the train seemed receptive and as they were passing out the pledge flyer, an Arab man looked up from his paper briefly and said, "Thanks for doing this." We all know that there are a great many people in this country who feel as we do, and we are determined to reach out to them. Endorsers included: Philip Berrigan, Ploughshares activist; Rev. Elizabeth A. Braddon, Park Slope United Methodist Church (Brooklyn); Brooklyn Parents for Peace; Brooklyn Heights Peace Action; DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving); Ethical Action Committee of the Brooklyn Ethical Culture Society; CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) – New York; Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Executive Director, Greater NY Labor-Religion Coalition*; Rev. Dr. James Fitzgerald, Minister for Mission and Social Justice, the Riverside Church*; Mary Lou Greenberg, Revolutionary Communist Party, NY Branch; Islamic Center of Long Island (Domestic Harmony Committee); Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp, Pastor, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, West Harlem*; Rev. Peter Laarman, Senior Minister, Judson Memorial Church*; Ray Laforest, Organizer DC 1707, AFSCME, Haitian community activist;MADRE; National Lawyers Guild (National Office; New York City Direct Action Network (DAN); New York Coalition for Peace and Justice; New York Fellowship of Reconciliation; New York Taxi Workers Alliance); New Yorkers Say No to War; Network in Solidarity with the People of the Philippines (NISPOP); Pax Christi Metro New York; Peace Action of New York State; Refuse & Resist!; SAKHI for South Asian Women; Monica Santana, Latino Worker Center, National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty for the Undocumented*; South Asians Against Police Brutality and Racism; Starhawk; Rev. Ian B. Straker, Member NY Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church*; SALAAM (South Asians League of Artists in America); Starhawk; Theater of the Oppressed Laboratory; Vieques Support Campaign; David Wildman, Exec Secretary, Human Rights & Racial Justice, Mission Contexts & Relationships, Genrl Bd of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church*; Women in Islam; Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, NY Metropolitan Branch (*for identification only)