Arab does not equal Muslim - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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Reader comment on:
Brooklyn Arabic School

Submitted by Dave Hall, May 17, 2007 22:27

Your editorialist and many of the readers responding to the editorial seem to be confused about the nature of Arabs and the Gibran Academy. First, KGIA is a school that willl focus on the Arabic Language and on Arab culture, not Islam or on religion. Just because something is Arab doesn't necessarily mean it's Muslim. KGIA will be, like all public schools, secular. I am an Arab Christian who supports the idea of the school. Suggesting that the academy will push a religious, Islamic agenda is absurd. Would I, a fourth generation patriotic American, support a school with an Islamic agenda? Of course not. Do I support a school that will attempt to educate youngsters to become informed citizens who will approach the Middle East knowledgably and without prejudice? Yes. And as far as being worried about slant or bias in the study of the Middle East - I remember my childhood public school textbooks and what they said about Arabs. Let's attack bias from all sides! And as far as helping Arab immigrants merge into the American mainstream, don't worry. Arab-Americans have been assimilating and succeeding in American since the Revolution. We are more highly educated than average, have higher than average incomes, and are exceptionally entrepreneurial. We will coninue to succeed and contribute in countless ways to the American way of life.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
this is a great idea i think every school should provide these services all children should learn different culture and... [MORE]	Ms Palermo	Nov 23, 2007 09:04
While I can't speak specifically to the individuals chosen to be involved in the school, accept to say that hopefully... [MORE]	Ian	Sep 4, 2007 13:18
At a time when the public school system is so under-funded, why does what is basically a private school qualify... [MORE]	BSI	Aug 17, 2007 10:25
I was as disturbed to learn about the Khahil Gibran School as I was to learn about the Hellenic Classical... [MORE]	Assemblyman Michael Benjamin	Jun 28, 2007 13:35
I agree with the Assemblyman, Michael Benjamin! We are being extremely (& sometimes pathetically) careful not to offend ANYONE!!! We... [MORE]	Patricia Vasenius	Jul 18, 2007 02:25
Your editorialist and many of the readers responding to the editorial seem to be confused about the nature of Arabs...	Dave Hall	May 17, 2007 22:27
I completely agree with Dave Hall. Arab does not equal Muslim, and yes, the author and readers are definately confused... [MORE]	HMG	Jun 19, 2007 12:11
It seems the same principles apply here as in the upstate Kiryas Joel case, which involved public funding of a... [MORE]	David	May 17, 2007 11:45
David...Should Public Money be spent on learning the French Language? [MORE]	M.M	Aug 20, 2007 23:18
The Sun's extensive coverage of this school implies that it is some sort of quasi-religious institution, akin to a yeshiva... [MORE]	Tim Geoghegan	May 8, 2007 22:37
To: The Editors I agree with you unequivocally. Furthermore, because we have such divisiveness growing--we need our children (future leaders) to... [MORE]	Nancy Joyce Jancourtz	May 8, 2007 14:38
No tax revenues should be used to establish schools for specific religious or cultural accomodation. If the district sees fit... [MORE]	John Bryan	May 8, 2007 10:23
No public funds for religious schools. We want our kids to grow up together - not separate. Same for christain... [MORE]	steve	May 8, 2007 11:04
This is a school with a cultural focus, which allows students of a variety of races and religions to learn... [MORE]	Karen Vaughan	Jun 18, 2007 13:47
Is this the way to best help the immigrant assimilate into this society? I've taught for 32 years in middle... [MORE]	RJC	May 8, 2007 08:46
My grandparents came to this country through Ellis Island from Russia with the children they had at that time. They... [MORE]	Dorothy Wachsstock	May 8, 2007 13:36

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