ChristiansUnite Forums

Arabic public school to open in Brooklyn

A public school that aims to teach Arabic language and culture to students in grades 6-12 is set to open this September in New York City. Ideally, half the students will have a background in Arabic language and culture, and half will not.

Given the well-known shortage of people in the U.S. military and intelligence services who are fluent in Arabic, you'd think Americans would be excited by a school that prepares students with language skills and cultural knowledge that are essential in the "war on terrorism." Already, there's been a surge in the number of college students who are learning Arabic, and that hasn't been controversial.

Unfortunately, a quick Google search reveals that some people are already criticizing the school. One conservative blogger asks, "Why should New York tax payers have to foot the bill for children to study Arabic culture?"

Hmmm ... maybe it's because preparing students to be global citizens with successful careers in international affairs, international business, and the military is in the public interest? (The U.S. federal government seems to think so. In August 2002, it set up the National Middle East Language Resource Center, which supports K-12 programs.)

_____________________


From Fox News:

NEW YORK  —  The first New York City public school offering the Arabic language and culture is set to open in September.

Named after the Lebanese poet and philosopher, the Khalil Gibran International Academy for grades 6-12 will be located in Brooklyn and be one of 40 new schools that the Department of Education plans for the 2007-2008 school year.

All the new schools will be located in existing school buildings that are being closed for poor performance.

The academy will receive funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Debbie Almontaser, the school's designated principal and a 15-year veteran of the school system, told The New York Times that the school ideally will serve an equal number of students with backgrounds in Arabic language and culture and those without such backgrounds.

"We are wholeheartedly looking to attract as many diverse students as possible, because we really want to give them the opportunity to expand their horizons and be global citizens," she told the newspaper.

"I see students who are excited about engaging in international careers, international affairs, wanting to come to our school," added Almontaser, who is fluent in Arabic.

"I also see Arab-American students who would want the opportunity to learn Arabic, to read it and write it and have a better understanding of where their ancestors have come from."

When it opens in September, only sixth grade will be offered, with another grade added each year, and eventually serving 500 to 600 students in grades 6-12. By the third year, the school hopes to offer half the classes in Arabic and half in English.

The Department of Education is partnering with the nonprofit New Visions for Public Schools, which has been involved in the recent creation of dozens of small new schools, and the Arab-American Family Support Center, which will provide the Arabic instruction.

Bowing down to the pressures of Muslims.

A major portion of Arabic culture is the religion of Islam. I wonder just how much of this will be taught under the Arabic culture guise while Christianity will still be forbidden in any public schools. I'll also guess to say that the ACLU will not be against this either.