Internships with Muslim lawyers, trips to the Middle East and community activism are the hallmarks of the city’s Arab-themed school scheduled to open this fall.
The controversial Khalil Gibran International Academy’s grant application for private funds says the school wants to produce “agents of change” and “ambassadors of peace” by focusing on the “complexity of Arab history and the diversity of Arab culture.”
Principal Dhabah “Debbie” Almontaser - who backtracked this week from comments condoning the “Intifada NYC” T-shirts that are sold by activists with ties to her - insists political dogma will not be on the curriculum.
All students, no matter their ethnicity, or religion, will be welcome, she said.
Forty-four students have registered to begin the sixth grade and five teachers have been hired.
The grant application was obtained by “Stop the Madrassa,” a group opposed to the school on grounds it violates the separation of church and state.
