TN: Approval Rescinded for Shari'a Law Event at Farragut High School
http://tinyurl.com/k3eneoq
http://tinyurl.com/k3eneoq
A
school official today told CAIR: "I am happy to announce that our
Central Office has canceled the ACT event. Thank you for your concern
and support."
"We
appreciate the prompt and appropriate response to concerns of Muslim
parents and others that hosting this event in a public school would send
an implicit message of endorsement for the bigoted views of the
speakers," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
"We welcome the decision by the superintendent of Knox County Schools to help ensure that they remain a safe place for all students," said American Center for Outreach Director of Policy Remziya Suleyman.
In a letter sent yesterday to Farragut High School Principal Michael Reynolds, Hooper wrote:
"I wish to bring to your attention our concerns about a program scheduled for April 24 at Farragut High School in which two anti-Muslim speakers are to appear to discuss 'Shariah Law.'
"'Bill Warner' (Bill French) is identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as a member of the "anti-Muslim inner circle."
SPLC: The Anti-Muslim Inner Circle
"He will appear with Matt Bonner,
the southeast regional director of the Crescent Project — a group whose
mission is to 'reach Muslims with the Gospel of Christ.'
"Note the anti-Muslim bigotry they both expressed at a previous event.
SEE: Town Hall Meeting Warns Against 'Political Islam'
"The April 24 event in your school is sponsored by ACT! for American, another anti-Muslim hate group.
"ACT!
for America leader 'Brigitte Gabriel' claims that an American Muslim
'cannot be a loyal citizen' and that Islam is the 'real enemy.' She once
told the Australian Jewish News: 'Every practicing Muslim is a radical
Muslim.' She also claimed that 'Islamo-fascism is a politically-correct
word. . .it's the vehicle for Islam. . .Islam is the problem.'
CAIR Islamophobia Backgrounder: ACT! for America and 'Brigitte Gabriel'
"We
believe this event will be viewed as having the endorsement of school
officials and has the potential to promote bullying and to create a
hostile learning environment for Muslim students. It may also serve to
create a negative impression of Islam and Muslims in the minds of
students of all faiths.
"We
support the First Amendment right to free speech -- even the kind of
hate speech used by these speakers -- but believe, because of the need
for a safe and inclusive learning environment, that a school is not the
proper setting such an event.
"I
therefore respectfully request that you review district policies to
determine whether you high school is an appropriate venue for a
potentially hate-filled program."
After
receiving the letter, a representative of the school told CAIR that
"Farragut High School does not support this event, nor do we share the
presenters' views" and that a review of the "use of facilities"
agreement was being reviewed by legal experts.
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