Middle East studies in the News

Profs Go to Bat for Arab Principal [on Dhaba "Debbie" Almontaser]

by Yoav Gonen
The New York Post
April 3, 2008

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04032008/news/regionalnews/profs_go_to_bat_for_arab_principal_104786.htm

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/4964

More than a dozen college educators from NYU to UCLA are demanding that the ousted founder of Brooklyn's controversial Arab-themed school be reinstated.

In an open letter to Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, the group of professors, researchers and advocates called for Debbie Almontaser to be returned to her post as principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy.

Almontaser had resigned under pressure last August - about a month before the school opened - after a storm of criticism surrounding her failure to condemn "Intifada NYC" T-shirts made by a youth organization with which she was associated.

"This coalition is pursuing every channel to restore Almontaser to her rightful position and to clear her name and her reputation," the group members wrote.

A federal appeals court last month ruled she can't force the city to give her another shot at getting her job back.

A Department of Education spokeswoman declined to comment.

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.

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