CAIR Philadelphia Branch Partners with Local Schools for 9/11 Educational Resources

On Monday, the Philadelphia branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced a new collaboration with local schools. The aim is to provide guidelines for teaching about the 9/11 attacks while also offering workshops addressing “American Jews and Political Power.”

Through social media posts, CAIR shared that they are focused this year on ensuring that schools are “safe and supported.” The effort includes developing more inclusive environments via educator guides, training, and workshops.

One educational resource available on the CAIR website is a guide titled “Memory and Reflection: Teaching in a Diverse Classroom on September 11th, 2001.” It recommends how to approach lesson plans, suggesting that educators avoid terms like “jihadists” and should address biases against Muslims.

The guide stresses a careful choice of language to avoid reinforcing harmful narratives. For instance, it advises against describing 9/11 attackers with terms like “Islamic terrorists” or “jihadists.” The guide serves as a reminder of the impacts that prejudice and hate crimes have had on various communities, including Muslims and Sikh Americans, in the years following the attacks.

Additionally, CAIR has offered a workshop titled “American Jews and Political Power: Myths or Reality.” This discussion delves into the complex topic of Jewish political influence in the U.S. However, this particular section has now been removed from the website, and inquiries about its deletion were made to CAIR.

The earlier description included plans to explore the debates within Jewish communities surrounding issues such as Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, along with the rise of young Jewish activists advocating for the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions).

CAIR has faced scrutiny in recent months, particularly after executive director Nihad Awad expressed disturbing sentiments following the October 7 attacks on Israel. Awad said he felt “happy” to witness the events unfold, which led to significant backlash. The White House condemned his remarks, labeling them “shocking” and anti-Semitic.

Recently, R-Ark. Senator Tom Cotton has called on the IRS to revoke CAIR’s nonprofit status, citing connections to Hamas. Such developments continue to emphasize the contentious nature of these discussions within our current political landscape.