October 16, 2007



Mr. Joseph Costa

Principal

IS 218

370 Fountain Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11208



Dear Sir:

The Muslim community regards the pulling off of Reeya Alihoseinʼs khimar (head scarf) by Karon Delbrune (Class 643), Leonordo Lopez (Class 641) and Ronnell Pickett (Class 642) on Wednesday October 3, 2007 as a violation of her privacy and rights.

Ms. Reeya Alihosein comes from a religious family. It is her conviction that as a young Muslim woman she has the right to dress Islamically whenever she appears in public. The act of the three students cannot be interpreted as a boyish prank, childʼs play, or a joke.

The act was motivated by deep racial and religious prejudices, deliberately executed to humiliate Reeya, and make a mockery of her religious beliefs. Reeya has been traumatized by this incident and has lost confidence in an institution that is supposed to protect her.

Your school report does not include statements by any security personnel. Ms. Scott, a security person, was not around when the incident occurred yet she declared that Reeya smacked Karon Delbrune. Furthermore, Ms. Scott, in the presence of the parents, condemned Reeya as being talkative and disruptive. Her false declaration is an attempt to play down the issue and to make it appear that Karon is the victim and Reeya is the guilty party. Her biased statement seeks to justify Karonʼs action to violate Reeyaʼs rights.

For this incident to have occurred in the open and in school definitely means the three students have no fear of violating a young Muslim womanʼs rights. The parents of Reeya are convinced, and anyone would come to the same conclusion, that the school attached no measure of importance to the incident. It merely went through the motions of conducting an investigation.

Of what effect is the transfer of Delbrune to another class when he does not sit in the same class with Reeya? What do you think would have been your reaction if a student rips off a Jewish boyʼs cap, jerks the crucifix from the neck of a Catholic girl, or cuts the hair of Sikh student?

The conclusion is that because Reeya is a Muslim her complaint is not important, and this is the perception of the rights of the Muslim minority. This incident is very significant and needs public attention. We need to take steps to prevent a similar treatment to other students, and if it happens then the authority must take appropriate action.

The school is an educational institution and the Muslim community expects that it to take care of the Muslim students who attend. It must be sensitive to the Islamic morals and values of students. Schools must respect and appreciate the rights of Muslim students.



Sincerely,





Imam Ahmad Hamid



Cc Muslim organizations and other organizations

A very justifiable letter. Well in place.

We need more Muslim in the masjids like BR.Hamid to addressing issues facing Guyanese Muslims. Imam has adressed many social and political issues facing out community.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: <Jansher>,

I agree with Jansher, the Imam addressed the issue very well. The school Reeya is attending need to embrace faith based lessons

quote:

Originally posted by imala:
I agree with Jansher, the Imam addressed the issue very well. The school Reeya is attending need to embrace faith based lessons

They don't need to embrace anything. They do have to ensure that people are not harrassed because of their gender, religion, culture, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by ksazma:

quote:

Originally posted by imala:
I agree with Jansher, the Imam addressed the issue very well. The school Reeya is attending need to embrace faith based lessons

They don't need to embrace anything. They do have to ensure that people are not harrassed because of their gender, religion, culture, etc.

Ksazma, in order to respect you must understand. Thats what I meant by embracing.

Public schools in Greater Toronto are putting God and Allah and other deities back into the classroom so children can learn about how their classmates worship.

All a y'all dont get the message yet. U right on the idealogy..but not on the methodology. This is america. Put a blasted court case against the school for not ensuring an environment for the likkle muslima and watch the media make her case for her. Another religious community would do it. Why don't we use the system? Muslim and Jewish lawyers in NYC by the droves.

Would you be successful on religious rights or human rights?

Both. because this case tugs at the rights of other minorities too. Put a dollar figure for damages and see the school board struggle to ensure this crap does not happen again. IT is a bit different in canada..but here, the system favors the girl getting a powerful lawyer.

Let's see what is the principal's response and we'll take it from there.

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
Both. because this case tugs at the rights of other minorities too. Put a dollar figure for damages and see the school board struggle to ensure this crap does not happen again. IT is a bit different in canada..but here, the system favors the girl getting a powerful lawyer.

In that case, lets go for it. Then we can put away that security officer for perjury. But we should not use a Muslim lawyer. They will blow the case. We need a local Jewish one or an American hot shot.

that depends on the Muslim community in NYC. They do have some good muslim lawyers, but I do agree that they would have to go in with a group. THis would also show the need for a good school...becuase some bastards ensured that the project of Debbie Montaser was aborted. That was a travesty....Actually, if anyone in NYC knows Debbie, she is a good contact in this matter, although I don't know if she is in the mood to fight right now...

Does anyone know how the Principal responded to Bro. Hamid's letter?

ah wonder if similar acts was committed against a jewish child what the result would have been.

I will check with Hamid and see if there was any result. I don't think so though.