When a sixth-grade teacher at Brentano Math and Science Academy in Chicago described a hypothetical scenario in which her Muslim student, 13-year-old Salah, would carry a bomb aboard a plane, she did not just insult one child. She gave permission to an entire classroom to harass and torment him.
The Impact on a Child
Salah was the only Muslim and the only Arab in his classroom. After his teacher used him as the subject of a terrorism scenario, the other students felt empowered to begin harassing him. He came home in tears, carrying a burden no child should ever have to bear.
“In using that example, she basically gave the go-ahead for all the students to begin harassing him. He came home from school with tears in his eyes.”
Seeking Justice
The family and American Islamic leaders met with the school board and a mediator to demand accountability:
- The family called for the teacher to be fired, arguing that whether the act was willful or irresponsible, it reflected negligence unfit for a teacher
- They requested counseling for Salah and sensitivity training for all teachers
- Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan called the incident “very disturbing” and praised the family’s courage in coming forward
- The teacher was removed from Brentano Academy but remained employed by Chicago Public Schools
“It’s very disturbing that this kind of thing would happen. The only way we can make sure these things never happen again is by addressing them openly and honestly.”
Muslim children in America face a unique form of discrimination that begins in the very classrooms where they are supposed to feel safe. Stories like Salah’s are a reminder that Islamophobia is not just a political issue. It is a deeply personal one that affects the most vulnerable members of our community.
