Ailsa, I know a Muslimah in VA, I'm going to tell her about you and, God willing, she'll see this before I can call her or afterwards she'll contact you.

Shannon,

Thank you very much for taking the time to come here and ask these questions.

It is wonderful that you found this offensive and actually sent a letter in protest. I am assuming that there are no Muslim childen at the school?

The Prophet Mohammed was very patient with those who were not Muslim, but Islam does not condone prejudice in any manner. As a person of conscience, I would not want my children or myself exposed to this type of stereotyping and name calling.

If the principal still seems to feel that what he said was fine, perhaps you could contact the school board and let them know that he might need some sensitivity training. If this doesn't work, you can report the incident to CAIR, the Council on American Islamic Relations http://www.cair-net.org/ - http://www.cair-net.org/      They are a group of American Muslims who work to change misconceptions about Muslims in America.

I know there are many Muslims in Virginia and it is very hurtful to be singled out in thios manner. Thank you for taking a stand.

Dwanna

Shannon:

Since you seem to be getting nowhere with the school and they seem more interested in protecting the teacher's privacy, above your right to have your child taught in a tolerant and inclusive environment, I would go ahead and contact CAIR and ask them to help you take action.

They will know what to do in this situation. They have an office in Herndon and an office in Bethesda,  but you can e-mail them from the website.

Dwanna

As a teacher under pay roll he or she can't use this kind of terminology. The pupils are the children of the tax payers. The teachers duties are to teach, unless if the US rules and regulations are different than that outside worlds, than what can you do?

ailsa wrote: My daughter came home yesterday  from school and reported that her history teacher had referred to mulims as "towelheads"  I find that extremely offensive and her father and I promptly sent a letter to the school principal.  He seems to think its "not that bad"  I would like some advice on similar situations.  Maybe a muslim would be able to advise on the right course of action.  If you wouldn't make a stink about it...should I?? Thank you, Shannon

are you a muslim?

Shannon:

It doesn't matter if you are a Muslim or not. Some of the posters on this forum are from majority Muslim countries where this type of thing would never occur, or where you just go into the school and complain and the teacher is reprimanded or fired. The system here is entirely different.

I think it is so important for all of us who find this offensive to say that we jsut won't allow it anymore. It is especially important for non-Muslims to speak out because when Mulsim do people feel we have a vested interest. When non-Muslims do it shows that this behavior is just wrong.

Many Muslim parents I know are personally going through this very same struggle. Most just end up pulling their children from the schools and home schooling bacause they are alone. You don't know how much you and people like you can help just by making the complaints and saying this is not how I want my child to believe.

Please contact CAIR and let them help you. You would be helping so many others in the process.

Thank you,

Dwanna

Well, this is clearly unproffesional of the staff at the school to generalize and use name calling for any group of people. They should be far more interested is their own education. But many people cannot take feedback/ criticism.

one thing that is useful is that they certainly won't like publicity.. Exposure is the worst thing. If they don't make progress it should be made public.  I live here in DC and would not mind writing a letter to the newspaper. You then CC the school board.. I tell you, in my activism work, it can have a profound effect.

The fact you are not Moslem, actually, sad to say, will actually be more powerful. You are standing up for an injustice that does not necessarily affect you or your children directly.

I think it is great.

Hayfa