Middle East studies in the News

Head of Arabic School Drops Out [on Dhabah "Debbie" Almontaser, Khalil Gibran Academy]

by Carrie Melago
The New York Daily News
August 11, 2007

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/08/11/2007-08-11_head_of_arabic_school_drops_out.html

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/3845

The beleaguered principal of the city's new Arabic-themed school quit yesterday under intense pressure from critics.

Debbie Almontaser stepped down after her defense of the word "intifada" on a T-shirt created a public outcry. Her move comes just weeks before the scheduled opening of the Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn.

Almontaser said in a statement that she resigned because the backlash was "endangering the viability" of the school.

The academy has been dogged with setbacks for months, first from Park Slope parents who believed the building was too small to house it, then from groups that feared Almontaser would promote radical Islamic beliefs.

Almontaser added fuel to the fire earlier this week when she defended the use of the word "intifada" on T-shirts sold by an Arab women's group that shares space with a Yemeni organization that Almontaser belongs to.

She had been quoted as interpreting "intifada" as a "shaking off" of oppression, glossing over its link to the violent Palestinian uprising.

Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein said the city remained committed to having a school where children could learn to speak Arabic. But Almontaser's resignation failed to appease some critics.

"They've offered her up as a sacrifice because they are determined to make this school go forward," said Pam Hall of the group Stop the Madrassa.

There was no immediate word on a successor to Almontaser.

cmelago@nydailynews.com

With Frank Lombardi and Tanyanika Samuels

Note: Articles listed under "Middle East studies in the News" provide information on current developments concerning Middle East studies on North American campuses. These reports do not necessarily reflect the views of Campus Watch and do not necessarily correspond to Campus Watch's critique.

receive the latest by email: subscribe to campus watch's free mailing list