UPDATED: Larwyn reports, "Segment just ended at 38 after the hour - only caught the very end but this Garth Harris actually said when asked "how do you teach Arab culture without teaching Islam" He said "NOT ALL ARAB COUNTRIES ARE ISLAMIC!!" as if it was rather a toss up when you named an Arab country .....let's find the Christian Arab country, Ok how about the Jewish Arab country, try Buddist Arab country.....
Guess he's counting Lebanon and Turkey - it's worked out so well for the Christians and Jews in those countries..."
City Hall today. Be there. Stop the Madrassa: Citizen’s Guide to Islamic Curricula In Public Schools
Press Release from the Catholic League President Bill Donohue
August 31, 2007 Press Conference
Purpose: To raise serious questions regarding the propriety of opening Khalil Gibran International AcademyParticipants: Coalition of New Yorkers across faith communities
When: 12:15 p.m., September 4, 2007
Where: Steps of New York City HallCatholic League president Bill Donohue explains why he is joining the rally:
“There are several reasons why the Catholic League is concerned about the founding of Khalil Gibran International Academy. They include:
· The pedagogical necessity of establishing this school.
· The stonewalling by the New York City Department of Education whenever we have sought information about the curriculum, textbooks, school’s advisors, etc.
· The paucity of information about the Association of Muslim American Lawyers, a group that is slated to play an integral role.
· The incredible disparity in the way the New York City Department of Education treats Muslims and Catholics: Arab Muslims not only have a taxpayer-funded school, but the Islamic religious symbol, namely the crescent and star, is permitted in all New York City public schools. However, the Department of Education bars the display of nativity scenes.
· The entire pro-terrorist T-shirt controversy and the initial selection of Debbie Almontaser as the school’s principal.
“The Catholic League is not making accusations, but it is raising serious questions. We will continue to do so until our concerns have been alleviated.”
Speakers at September 4, 2007 Press Conference, City Hall, Manhattan (Additional speakers may be added to this list)
Irene Alter is a retired teacher of Foreign Language who taught in the NYC Public High Schools for thirty years and a co-founder of Stop The Madrassa.
Dr. William Donohue, a former professor, is president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
Barry Farber is the New York radio talk show legend.Eblan Farris, an American of Lebanese descent, is one of the Founders of The Friends of Gibran Council, and is also a founding member of the United States Chapter of the World Council of the Cedars Revolution which has as its main goal the freedom, democracy and independence of Lebanon.
Frank Gaffney, Center for Security Policy: Frank Gaffney is the Founder and President of the Center for Security Policy in Washington, D.C.Pamela Geller is a New York resident, parent and community activist, and the founder of the popular website AtlasShrugs.com.
Beth Gilinsky, a media and political strategist, is a civil and human rights leader known for her bold activism on international, national and local issues.Rabbi Jacob Goldstein is based in New York City.
Pamela Hall is a New York City resident and parent, is also a spokesperson for Stop The Madrassa Community Coalitions, and NYC chapter coordinator for the United American Committee.Rafique Iscandar, born and raised in Egypt, is president of the American Coptic Union.
Stuart Kaufman has over 38 years of legal and business experience. In 2002, Mr. Kaufman was one of the founders of Fortress Global Investigations (www.fortressglobal.com), an international investigations and security consulting firm.
Bridget Kearney is spokeswoman for the Queens Ladies of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.Brian Rooney, Thomas More Law Center, is an attorney, and as a Marine Captain spent two years recently in Iraq.
Rabbi Aryeh Spero is president of Caucus For America and is a columnist for Human Events.Jeffrey S. Wiesenfeld is a former aide to Governor Pataki, Senator D'Amato, Mayor Ed Koch and other public officials and a current trustee of the City University of New York and other educational institutions and non-profits.
