(CLEVELAND, OH, 11/1/23) – The Cleveland and Northern Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) today called on the Strongsville City School District to increase efforts to educate staff and faculty about the dangers of Islamophobia after an anti-Muslim statement was written at a school in the district.
On Tuesday, Oct. 31, CAIR-Cleveland was contacted by several Strongsville City School parents about insensitive and inaccurate statement about Islam in global studies written on the board by a teacher. Students and parents were outraged by the statements written on the board in what was told to a parent by the school principal to be a lesson on Pakistan and India, not about the current events in the Middle East.
In a statement, Interim Executive Director of CAIR-Cleveland Faten Odeh, said:
“This statement written on the board by the teacher rooted in Islamophobia is an issue that runs deeper than just this one incident. CAIR-Ohio has partnered up with OPAWL and other coalition partners to make it law in the state of Ohio that social studies curriculum be reflective of the students in Ohio classrooms. We are pushing for HB171, Educating for Ohio’s Future to be passed into law.
“In addition to our efforts at the Statehouse, CAIR-Cleveland has partnered up with Cleveland State University’s CARE Research Lab to uncover how high school social studies textbooks used across Northeast Ohio teach about Islam and Arabs. What the research has found is there is a distinct narrative that Muslims and Arabs are the enemy of Americans and American values and even though we know that is not true, this is the story that is being taught in our kids’ schools. This is the root of the problem.”
CAIR-Cleveland reached out to the Superintendent of Strongsville City Schools, a school district with a large population of Muslim students via telephone and email.
In the email Odeh wrote,” I request that a thorough and transparent investigation be conducted to ascertain the facts surrounding this incident…It is crucial that our schools remain safe spaces where all students, regardless of their background, can learn and thrive without fear of discrimination or prejudice.”
According to the Superintendent, the teacher has been placed on administrative leave and counselors have been made available for students who feel they have been harmed by this incident.
Odeh said in an interview with Fox News, ” To focus on the educator alone would be an injustice to the students, education, and society. Instead of further reprimanding the teacher, we would like to place the responsibility on Strongsville City Schools to address the underlying issue for the need of proper training, education and resources for teachers and staff. I have offered my assistance in my capacity as a CAIR representative and as someone who has a background as a social studies teacher. I hope families understand that instead of focusing on this one individual we need to focus on the bigger issue for a longer lasting effect. I am proud of the students for speaking up and we need to continue our advocacy through taking ownership of our childrens’ education. This can take form in many different ways like being a part of the committee that chooses the textbooks for the school, attending important curriculum meetings and advocating to our lawmakers to do better by our students and our teachers.”
CAIR encourages those experiencing acts of aggression, racism, and Islamophobia to call their local CAIR offices and report these incidents.
CAIR has also released a guide for students facing Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian bigotry in schools in the aftermath of the Israeli government’s assault on Gaza.
SEE: CAIR’s Guide for Students Speaking Out Against Islamophobia and for Palestinian Rights
SEE: Guidance for Students Targeted in Response to Palestine Rights Advocacy – Islamophobia
SEE ALSO: CAIR’s Report an Incident Form
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Cleveland Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-830-2247