Stop the Madrassa Files Lawsuit in State Supreme Court

STOP THE MADRASSA FILES IN STATE SUPREME COURT AGAINST NY SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REGARDING ARABIC PUBLIC SCHOOL

LEADERS ALSO DEMAND AN END TO ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE OPPOSITION THROUGH INTIMIDATION, THREATS OF LAWSUITS AND SLANDEROUS ACCUSATIONS:

“AMERICANS WILL NOT BE SILENCED!”

October 19, 2007 New York, New York — Citizens for American Values in Public Education Inc. and the Stop the Madrassa announce the filing this week by the Stop the Madrassa Community Coalition [“STM”] of an Article 78 Proceeding in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against the New York City Department of Education [the “DOE”] The lawsuit follows an insufficient response to requests under the Freedom of Information Law for complete information concerning textbooks, lesson plans and design documents to be used at the Khalil Gibran International Academy [“KGIA”].

In the past month, STM, has stepped up its calls for immediate closure of KGIA, as well as expanding its fight nationwide to halt the imposition of radical Islamist agendas in curricula, Arab language programs, history classes, textbooks, teacher training, and charter schools. Citizens for American Values in Public Education Inc. is the national non-profit organization that was founded to take this effort national.

The filing states in part: “Respondents have not responded to the Petitioners’ lawful and legally sufficient FOIL request. The Respondents have provided no reasonable basis for refusing to provide access to the documents and records. In addition, there is no legally justifiable basis for refusing to provide access to the documents and records… Petitioners are seeking relief from this Court to enforce their rights under FOIL.

The Petitioners in the case are the Stop the Madrassa Community Coalition and four New York residents. The named Respondents in the filing include the New York City Department of Education, which is responsible for maintaining the records and documents requested by Petitioners; School’s Chancellor Joel I. Klein, and the DOE’s Records Access Officer, Christine Kicinski. NYCDOE is charged by law with receiving and responding to FOIL requests. Copies of the filing can be obtained by contacting this organization at the number above.

Additionally, KGIA’s founding Principal, Dabah Almontaser, who resigned from the position, has made the following untrue and defamatory statements to the media:

 

· “Members of the coalition stalked me wherever I went and verbally assaulted me with vicious anti-Arab and anti-Muslim comments.”

 

· “To stir up anti-Arab prejudice, they constantly referred to me by my Arabic name…”

 

· “The coalition conducted a smear campaign against me and the school…”

According to Citizens for American Values president Stuart Kaufman, Citizens for American Values in Public Education and Stop the Madrassa have one message for Ms. Almontaser and any of her supporters who are attempting to silence our responsible and legitimate expressions of concern and questions about KGIA: “We will NOT be silenced through threats of lawsuits, falsely being called names such as ‘racists’ and ‘haters’ and ‘bigots’, and other efforts to silence American citizens exercising their rights to freedom of speech.”

Sharia is Creeping Into Our Society

By INVESTOR’ BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 4:20 PM PT

Islamofascism: In a monumental nod to political correctness, the Empire State Building is to be lit up green in honor of the Muslim holiday Eid. The separation of Islam from terror is officially complete.

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Related Topics: Religion

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Six years ago, Islamic terrorists screamed “Allah is Greatest!” as they slammed fuel-laden jumbo jets into two other New York skyscrapers. Six years ago, New Yorkers were worried about the Green Menace.

Now, for the first time, New York’s remaining famous skyscraper will be aglow in green — the color of Islam — to mark the end of Ramadan, a month of intense Islamic renewal. Officials say it’ll be an annual event, in the same tradition of the yearly skyscraper lighting for Christmas and Hanukkah.

Going green six years later.

What’s next, Ground Zero festooned with crescent moons and stars?

Political correctness is running amok. Last week, the White House held a Ramadan dinner for Muslim leaders and activists, even though we are still waiting for them to condemn Islamic terror groups by name.

To their delight, President Bush praised, and even suggested we all worship Allah. “I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian or any other religion, prays to the same God,” he said, adding “I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace.”

A nice sentiment. But militant Muslims believe peace cannot be attained until Islam dominates the globe. And they make up much of the Muslim establishment in America. We know this by the words they’ve been caught on tape mouthing to Muslim audiences. We know this by their radical associations.

But more damning, investigators recently uncovered smoking-gun documents revealing that many founders of the major Muslim groups in the U.S. were involved in a secret plot to take over the U.S. by using our religious and political freedoms against us.

They call themselves Americans, but they view our system of government, our way of life, as an abomination to Allah. They’ve devised a scheme to sabotage our “miserable house” from within and dismantle it piece by piece, replacing it with “Dar al-Islam” — the House of Peace.

Then, and only then, will there be the kind of peace the president believes Islam represents today.

Ignorance and blind tolerance only make it easier for the Islamists to make inroads. Inch by inch, sharia is creeping into our society. We see it:

• At airports, where authorities have agreed to Muslim taxi drivers’ demands to build footbaths in public restrooms for Islamic washing and praying.

• On college campuses, where trustees have agreed to demands by the Saudi-tied Muslim Student Association to add Islamic holidays, prayer rooms and footbaths.

• In Congress, where officials have set aside a room for a growing number of Muslims to meet and pray inside the otherwise high-security Capitol building.

• At Quantico, where Marine brass have agreed to build an Islamic center at the request of a former Gitmo imam who previously insisted on Islamic meals, Qurans, prayer beads, oils and other amenities for the terrorists held there.

• At West Point, where Army officials have followed Quantico’s lead and set up their own mosque for Muslim cadets.

• In Brooklyn, where school officials agreed to provide local Muslims and Arabs with their own publicly funded madrassa.

• In Detroit, where city planners have caved to demands to let mosques broadcast the call to prayer in Arabic five times a day, including the early-morning hours, noise ordinances be damned.

And on and on . . . until we, too, resemble Eurabia.

What Books Will We Find on the Shelves of the Khalil Gibran International Academy?

Stop the Madrassa has been asking the NYCDOE to reveal to the public just exactly what is being taught in the Khalil Gibran International Academy.  The DOE is still stonewalling.  We still have no answers as to what textbooks are being used, what curricula is being taught, where do the teacher handouts originate from, or who is monitoring the school as promised by DOE Chancellor Joel Klein.  

Now we have another important question. What books are on the school’s library shelves?  The question has increased significance due to the practice of Islamic organizations donating books to public libraries that are written and edited by those who call for violence against Western society. A book donated to PUBLIC LIBRARIES in the U.S., entitled, “A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam”, edited by Ali Al Timimi, highlights the type of books several Islamic organizations deceptively provide for children. 

The guide is innocent enough until you review the authors/editors. Ali Al Timimi is the editor. He also happens to be a convicted terrorist. He was convicted in 2005 for advocating violence against America.  Many Islamic scholars know this and support Timimi.  He is presently serving life plus 70 years for advocating terrorism.  

 According to Dave Gaubatz of www.mappingsharia.com, “The book I have mentioned is donated to most U.S.public libraries by Islamic organizations supporting Ali Al Timimi and the other editors listed in the book who advocate violence against America and innocent people worldwide. The intentions of such organizations is for Americans, especially young children and adults interested in Islam to read other books by the authors/editors.  The other books/lectures by the editors are very violent and advocate “Jihad” against innocent people”. 

These books are distributed by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs through Darussalam. Saudi Arabia is the headquarters for this publication. Mosques in America provide and distribute the books. They are also given to potential converts to Islam and new members.  Saudi Arabia has been actively funding the revision of U.S. public school textbooks for years.  History has been rewritten with Islam made to appear a peaceful, progressive religion while Western countries and religions have been distorted and disparaged. 

Dave Gaubatz states , “My initial research indicates the book is now in nearly every public library…. it is a prime example of deception. It is like having Timothy McVeigh edit/author a Christian book and then tell our children this is the book to read to understand Christianity. Then put this book in the public library.”  

Parents, grandparents, all citizens, please go to your local public library and demand that the copies of this book be removed.  This is a link to the book at the various libraries in Atlanta: 

http://afcatalog.co.fulton.ga.us/uhtbin/cgisirsi/x/0/0/5?searchdata1=illustrated+guide+to+understanding+islam&srchfield1=GENERAL%5ESUBJECT%5EGENERAL%5E%5Ewords+or+phrase&imageField.x=7&imageField.y=5  

We will be providing more links to libraries that have the book around the U.S. in the next few days so keep checking the website.  As you find the books and have them removed, e-mail Stop the Madrassa, https://stopthemadrassa.wordpress.com, and we will keep track making sure they are all taken off our Public Library shelves.

 Here is Dave Gaubatz’ letter to his local librarian.  Feel free to use it when you go to your local library.

Librarian,                                                               9 Oct 2007 

It has come to my attention that your library stocks a book titled, “A Brief Illustrated Guide to Islam”, by I.A. Ibrahim.  This book although appearing very innocent, has as its editor Mr. Ali Al Timimi. 

 Ali Al Timimi is a convicted felon (2005), and serving life plus 70 years for advocating terrorist acts (physical Jihad) against the U.S. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4681189.stm 

I am a 20 plus year U.S. veteran, 1^st U.S. civilian Federal Agent deployed into Iraq in 2003, Counter-terrorism specialist, and an Arabic linguist.  I currently conduct field research on terrorist groups operating in the U.S. Most importantly I am an American and a parent.   

The book I have mentioned is donated to most U.S. public libraries by Islamic organizations supporting Ali Al Timimi and the other editors listed in the book who advocate violence against America and innocent people worldwide. The intentions of such organizations is for Americans, especially young children and adults interested in Islam to read other books by the authors/editors.  The other books/lectures by the editors are very violent and advocate “Jihad” against innocent people.

 I ask as a concerned citizen and parent the book be removed from your library. There are many good books on Islam, but this one is a book used as deception by terrorist organizations to get young people to read more about Ali Al Timimi and his violent works.

 Respectfully, Dave Gaubatz

www.davegaubatz.com

http://www.mappingsharia.com      . .

There’s Something Fishy about KGIA “Advisory Board”

Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Klein:

Shut Down KGIA Now!

Citizens for American Values in Public Education and Stop the Madrassa are again demanding answers from Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein about the presence of a radical imam on the Khalil Gibran International Academy’s Advisory Board. First, we are asking why the KGIA even has an Advisory Board – what other public school do you know of that has one – a PTA, yes, but an Advisory Board?

Second, we want to know why one Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid is sitting on that board. Imam Abdur-Rashid became Imam of the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood in Harlem in 1989. The mosque’s website displays the slogan of the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization: “Allah is our goal, The Prophet Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah is our leader, The Qu’ran is our constitution, Jihad is our way, And death in the way of Allah is our promised end.” [https://stopthemadrassa.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/a-brief-history-of-the-mosque-of-islamic-brotherhood.pdf]

Imam Abdur-Rashid is also a prison chaplain to Muslims incarcerated in New York City and New York State prisons. Maybe that’s fine, but someone had better look into it because FBI and Bureau of Prisons analysis shows that “radicalization and recruitment in U.S. prisons is still an ongoing concern. Prison radicalization primarily occurs through anti-U.S. sermons provided by contract, volunteer, or staff imams, radicalized inmates who gain religious influence, and extremist media.” [http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress06/vanduyn091906.htm%5D

Another interesting tidbit about KGIA’s Advisory Board Imam:

Prior to joining the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood, Abdul-Rashid created a Muslim Boy Scout Troop affiliated with the mosque.

According to Front Page Magazine. “…What would seem to be a wholesome American pastime, when combined with Radical Islam, could be a recipe for disaster. Unlike most Boy Scouts, MIB’s troop wore patches containing the Sword of Islam, a symbol of armed might. In time, the children got older, and MIB Boy Scout Troop 357 became Sea Explorer Ship 357, utilizing the SUNY Maritime Campus at Fort Schyler for meeting and training. This history is chronicled on the mosque’s website. Along with this are shown a series of pictures. Some are obviously old, photographed in black and white. However, some are in color and more recent. It’s the latter pictures that are disturbing, as a few of them portray older youths and adults in combat fatigues.”

One cannot help but wonder whether or not we soon will see KGIA students in combat fatigues emblazoned with patches picturing the sword of Islam…

Finally, it may interest the reader to review the list of members of the Advisory Board of a school that is supposed to be a secular public school:  Rev. Dr. Daniel Meeter, Old First Reformed Church;  Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts, Abyssinian Baptist Church; Rev. Dr. Charles H. Straut Jr., The Riverside Church; Rev. Khader N. El-Yateem, Salem Arabic Lutheran Church; Rabbi Andy Backman, Congregation Beth Elohim; Rabbi Melissa Weintraub, Rabbis for Human Rights; Rabbi Micah Kelber, The Bay Ridge Jewish Center; Lisel Burns, Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture; Imam Talib Abdul-Rashid, Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood, Harlem; Imam Shamsi Ali, 96th St. Mosque,  Manhattan;  and Imam Khalid Latif, Chaplain, NYPD.

Citizens for American Values and Stop the Madrassa once again challenge Mayor Bloomberg, the City of New York and Department of Education to provide an immediate and public explanation as to why a person with such an extreme radical background, who attempts to undermine basic American beliefs and traditions, has been sitting on the “Advisory Board” of an American public school.

Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein, why is there so much stonewalling and secrecy about this particular school?

Mr. Mayor, who is teaching at KGIA, who will the new principal be, who is being invited speak to the students on school grounds, what textbooks will be used, and which impartial monitors will be allowed to find out what is going on in that taxpayer funded school?

The Department of Education Seeks New Principal for the Khalil Gibran International Academy

 It does not matter who the Principal of the school is. The philosophy, curricula, and political perspective are that of its founder and creator, Dhabah Almontaser, still employed by the NYCDOE.The DOE has been operating KGIA in secrecy since September 4^th, refusing to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests.  In August the DOE stated they would have the “complicated” 6^th grade curricula ready on September 21^st.  Their response to our fourth FOIL request is that KGIA will have its curricula by October 21st.  What are they using now?   As of today the Department of Education and the school are still not revealing what is being taught.  They will not tell the public what textbooks are being used in the school.  There is no transparency.  

KGIA’s DOE website states, “The school will require that all students take Arabic as a second language to fulfill the Arabic Regents requirements”.  There is no NY State Arabic Regents requirement because a Regents test in Arabic does not exist.  This false statement, made by those who know better, is another indication that the need for a separate school teaching Arabic is being used to further the Islamic culturization agenda in our public schools.   Once again Stop the Madrassa recommends the money be better spent by offering Arabic as a language elective in several middle and high schools across the city.  Many more students would be afforded the opportunity at much less the cost.

KGIA’s main partnering groups are a strong indication of the Islamist influence the school will have on its students.  The Arab-American Anti-defamation League (ADC) is listed as KGIA’s main partner. ADC – the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has produced a substantial Middle East bibliography for educators (1993b) and a guide for helping Arab parents serve as a resource for teachers (ADC, 1993a). Followers of Islam in particular (Arab Americans as well as other Muslim communities) want to feel respected, and providing teachers with information about the religion promotes understanding. Several groups, such as the Arab World and Islamic Resources and School Services, conduct workshops; others, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (1997), have published materials for educators.

CURRICULUM COURSE CONTENT

Arab references can be infused across the curriculumto familiarize students with Middle East culture and dispel myths: Arab music, Arab art, photographs of Arab countries, American words with Arab roots, notable Arab Americans, etc. (ADC, 1993a). Courses in religious tolerance need to include Islam. [http://www.ericdigests.org/1999-4/arab.htm]

 

Education Chancellor Joel Klein promised the school would be monitored. 

• Where is the plan developed to monitor the school? 
• Who is doing the monitoring?

 In fact, there is no plan.  There is no legal authority in place to monitor this controversial school.  There has been no oversight since the very beginning. The public and parent’s concerns have never been addressed.

It appears the DOE established KGIA prior to investigating the potential violation of separation between Church  and State. The school’s association with radical Islamic fundamentalist organizations was never considered. Given the status quo, Stop the Madrassa suggests a legitimate oversight board of citizens who are concerned about the school rather than a board of radical Imams dedicated to the Muslim Brotherhood.

CNW: Public Education Fairness Network Welcomes Free Vote

Comment on the press release below from the “Public Education Fairness Network”:

Canada is considering opening public education to faith-based Islamic schools, based on its current inclusion of Catholic schools in public education. Canada, like many European countries, has supported religious-based schools through public education.   Many European school systems extended this policy to Islamic schools over the last generation, only to discover they had funded radical madrassas. Germany is currently reconsidering the entire project of funding Islamic schools because their experience showed that these schools became part of the radicalization process pursued by the Muslim Brotherhood throughout Europe. In fact, this documented European experience with funding Islamic schools is an important reason for the concern of the founders of the Stop the Madrassa Coalition, and of our national group, Citizens for American Values in Public Education.

As usual, please note that we support the teaching of Arabic in regular secular schools as a standard elective, and that it is the supporters of KGIA who equate Arab and Muslim, Arabic and Islam, not us.

That the UJA-Federation of Greater Toronto is a leader in this dangerously naive effort to obtain public funding for Islamic schools is reprehensible. Ample evidence exists of the serious risks of institutionalizing and legitimizing radical Islamic madrassas in public schools using the European model. Does this policy reflect UJA-Federation policy in the United States as well?

Public Education Fairness Network Welcomes Free Vote

TORONTO, Oct. 1 /CNW/ – The Public Education Fairness Network welcomes
the possibility of a free vote in the Ontario Legislature on the inclusion of
non-Catholic faith-based schools in the public education system. A free vote
means that members of the legislature will not be bound by party positions
when the vote takes place.
“We look forward to a detailed Legislature discussion on this issue in
order to demonstrate the benefits to Ontario of inclusive public education,”
said M.D. Khalid, Director of the Islamic Society of North America – Canada.
“We hope that an open vote will help build understanding and bring polarized
positions closer together, without inflammatory language.”
“We understand that public education fairness is an appropriate but
complex subject to explain during an election campaign and that greater public
understanding is essential,” said Shahen Mirakian. “That’s why continued sober
discussion in another forum is a positive step.”
At the same time, PEFN reiterated its commitment to public education
fairness and its opposition to the status quo which supports more than 650,000
students in Catholic schools in public education system, but excludes 53,000
students from other faith-based schools.
“There is no statute of limitations on the quest for fairness. The
discussion has been underway for four decades, and now it’s clearly on the
public’s radar. It transcends this election campaign and will continue until
fairness is achieved,” noted UJA Federation Vice-Chair David Koschitzky.
For further information: Howard English, UJA Federation of Greater
Toronto, (416) 631-5735 (office), (416) 274-8461 (cell), henglish@ujafed.org;
Shahen Mirakian, ARS Armenian Day School, Toronto, (416) 865-7048 (office),
(416) 878-9776 (cell), shahen.mirakian@mcmbm.com