I live a block away from the school and I'm very proud that it's here. I think it's disgusting that anybody would oppose a school based on cultural understanding. Starting with the name "Kahlil Gibran" (a Christian, not Muslim poet) it's obvious that the school is organized around Arabic language and culture, not Islam. People who assume that all Arabs are anti-Semitic and fanatical are just displaying their own ignorance and racism.

I was just thinking about the meaning of Intifada, Madrasa, and Jihad. These are words that are thrown around by people that have no idea what they mean. They repeat them from negative Articles about Muslims and Arabs. Ms Al-Montaser was just instinctively trying to help people understand the real Arabic meaning of the word Intifada.

It is wrong to flat out condemn a word you don’t understand. Once you understand the meaning of the word then you can decide to condemn it. It is closed minded to interpret the Arabic language from the negative publicity it receives in the Media.

This incident only supports the need for an Arabic school that will help people understand the real meaning of these words that they hear in the media. It also highlighted the need for more people like Ms Al-Montaser that are willing to take risks and cross cultural barriers to build these important bridges.

It is a shame that she was crucified by the head of the United Federations of Teachers Union.

I don't see the big deal about this school. As a New Yorker we see all kind of weird stuff.

The real problem here is real estate. There a few things that determine the value of a home. The neighborhood school and safety are very important. People don't want their home prices to drop further because of a controversial school. I feel for the ones trying to sell their house in that neighborhood.

They probably think those Arabs are barbarians that will destroy the neighborhood. The Arabic parents are also scared to enroll their kids in a school that has so much controversy. Experienced Arabic teachers also don't want to accept positions in risky startup.

I think that the Mayor and the Department of Education did not consider these variables while considering this school. It was a nice idea, but I don't think New Yorkers are ready for it. There is just a huge baggage of hate left over from the 9/11 attacks.

This arguement is so one sided. Read my article on halalunderground.com "No Sleep 'til Gibran!", I investigated the real truth beheind that scandal and believe me it's a scandal on the Jewish side.

Does it really matter whether OR not the Principal's a Jew ? When I was in school my principal was Jewish, & as well as must of my teachers ! So what's the big problem here ? Geez People grow up and face the world ! Posted by; "Still Not Amused"

anon 9:53am. Arch-Likudniks and Hamas members may well think that. Fortunately, the vast majority of people whose political views fall between those two extremes -- and who recognize the reality that, throughout history, oppressed people always resist oppression, often through violent means -- are able to separate resistance from the vengeful, racially-defined bloodlust of Peyser's definition.

It's as provocative and misleading as saying that a T-shirt saying "Power to the People" -- the old Black Panther slogan -- is about spilling white people's blood.

brooklyn_albion, while "intifada" may have more general meanings, the primary connotation is with the Palestinian uprising. Perhaps the one thing you'll find that arch-Likudniks and Hamas members will agree upon is that the "intifada" (as generally understood) is _exactly_ about spilling Jewish blood.

The tone of the NY Post op-ed is abhorrently racist and islamophobic, their campaign against the Khalil Gibran school wrongheaded, bigoted and bullying.

Interestingly, this whole story connects with last week's piece about the dude with the Arabic t-shirt on the plane. Are we seeing a gradual, insipid criminalization of Arabic language and culture in the US?

I mean, think about it, even if you don't accept the principal's translation of 'intifada' as meaning 'shaking off' oppression, would sharing offices with a group that made t-shirts saying 'uprising NYC' or even 'revolution NYC' in English really be grounds for resignation? (only in Andrea Peyser's warped, fear-mongering mind does 'intifada' translate as 'spilling Jewish blood').

Culture = language, history, art, literature... Are you suggesting these aren't appropriate subjects for learning??? What is allowed - numbers? Oops! They're Arabic!!

A school dedicated to cultural understanding--shouldn't schools be dedicated to learning?

Glad to see racism full and alive within NYC. Who cares what the racists religion is? #2 and #3 are both idiots, don't stoop to their level.

It's sad to see that people are so ignorant.... Khalil Gibran is ARAB, not Muslim... learn the difference between a religion and a linguistic identification. Even if he was Muslim, how dare the Gothamist spout the same xenophobic crap that these other racist "newspapers" print. You people just make it harder for people to fit in and live normal lives.

THIS coming from a Muslim who never has and never will condone racism. The press should be ashamed of themselves as should anyone posting a comment prejudiced towards ANYONE.

10 bucks says that numbers 2 and 3 above are written by a hasid raised in Brooklyn.

Shirk any taxes lately?

And that's coming from a Jew..

It's only in NY that a foreign language program like this is shut down by paranoiacs who conflate "Arabic" with "Moslem" and "terror." Arabic is a major world language. All but 6 of the students who are enrolled are non-Arabic -- taking advantage of an opportunity to graduate from a public high school with skill in a critical foreign language. Other school systems around the country offer students an array of such options. Why is NY in such a chokehold? (That's a rhetorical question, of course.)

Wish you racists would have the guts to sign your names... then we'd know you're the same person.

As to the school itself... only in New York, kids, only in New York.

No reason to speak Arabic, all they understand is killing, why bother talking to them, just get them before they get us.

this school is a disgrace to the community. no one wants this school in their neighborhood. someone should tear it down and erect a huge, towering star of david in its place.

Why is this sort of reactionary fear-mongering acceptable?