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The '''Islamic Saudi Academy''' is a [[University-preparatory_school| |
The '''Islamic Saudi Academy''' is a [[University-preparatory_school|preparatory school]] in [[Virginia]], accredited with the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]. It has classes from [[pre-kindergarten]] to [[twelfth grade]], and has a current enrollment of more than 900 students. <ref name=ABOUTISA>http://www.saudiacademy.net/html/about_ISA.html</ref> The school has been accused of promoting terrorism. |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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The school was founded in |
The school was founded in 1984. It has campuses in [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]] and [[Fairfax, Virginia|Fairfax]], [[Virginia]]. The Fairfax campus has pre-kindergarten through first grade classes and the Alexandria campus has grades two through twelve. The school is [[bilingual]], with classes in [[English language|English]] and [[Arabic language|Arabic]], and a combined American and Middle-Eastern curriculum. Classes are [[Sex segregation|segregated]] from third grade onwards. The school holds a chapter of the [[National Honor Society]]. <ref name=ABOUTISA /> |
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==Programs and activities== |
==Programs and activities== |
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The school's curriculum includes Islamic studies, Islam for beginners, Arabic language, Arabic ASL, Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Computers, Art, English, Social Studies, and Physical Education. The school also has an [[Advanced Placement Program]] and an [[English language learning and teaching|English as a second language]] program. <ref |
The school's curriculum includes Islamic studies, Islam for beginners, Arabic language, Arabic ASL, Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Computers, Art, English, Social Studies, and Physical Education. The school also has an [[Advanced Placement Program]] and an [[English language learning and teaching|English as a second language]] program. <ref name=ABOUTISA /> |
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The ISA is a member of the Northern Virginia Independent Athletic Conference (NVIAC), and participates in the [[basketball]], [[volleyball]] and [[soccer]] [[sports league|league]]s, fielding both boys' and girls' [[varsity team]]s. The school has 22 football fields. <ref>http://www.saudiacademy.net/html/fastfacts.html</ref> |
The ISA is a member of the Northern Virginia Independent Athletic Conference (NVIAC), and participates in the [[basketball]], [[volleyball]] and [[soccer]] [[sports league|league]]s, fielding both boys' and girls' [[varsity team]]s. The school has 22 football fields. <ref>http://www.saudiacademy.net/html/fastfacts.html</ref> |
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The school participates in various educational and leadership-oriented extracurricular activities. There is an annual [[science fair]] and a [[Shakespearian]] drama program. Students are active participants in the [[Model United Nations]] program, the [[Presidential classroom]] program, [[Future Business Leaders of America]], and various other programs. <ref |
The school participates in various educational and leadership-oriented extracurricular activities. There is an annual [[science fair]] and a [[Shakespearian]] drama program. Students are active participants in the [[Model United Nations]] program, the [[Presidential classroom]] program, [[Future Business Leaders of America]], and various other programs. <ref name=ABOUTISA /> |
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The mission of the Islamic Saudi Academy is to enable its students to excel academically while maintaining the values of Islam and proficiency with the Arabic language. The Academy endeavors to provide a caring, challenging and supportive learning environment where students can achieve their highest potential while exhibiting civic responsibility and multicultural appreciation. |
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==Controversy== |
==Controversy== |
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[[Kamal Nawash]], a Muslim and president of the [[Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism]] asked, "How much longer can they argue that all of these people related to terrorism are just falling through the cracks? There must be an environment there that is tolerant of the kind of [[extremism]] that leads to this kind of activity."{{citation needed}} |
[[Kamal Nawash]], a Muslim and president of the [[Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism]] asked, "How much longer can they argue that all of these people related to terrorism are just falling through the cracks? There must be an environment there that is tolerant of the kind of [[extremism]] that leads to this kind of activity."{{citation needed}} |
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===Textbook passages=== |
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First-grade textbooks state "that all religions, other than [[Islam]], are false, including that of the [[Jew]]s, [[Christian]]s and all others." |
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== College == |
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Eighth-grade textbooks refer to Christians and Jews as "apes and pigs." |
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ISA prepares students for entry into American, as well as international universities and colleges. After graduating from ISA, over ninety per cent of students go on to attend American universities, including such elite institutions as MIT, Georgetown, Princeton and Stanford University. The school also actively promotes relationships with local universities, such as the George Washington University, George Mason University, and American University by taking students on campus and inviting college representatives to speak at the school. Over the past five years, ISA students have received over a million dollars in college scholarships from American universities. |
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Eleventh-grade ISA Islamic studies, a required class, textbooks instruct Muslims that they must "fight and kill [[Judaism|Jew]]s, who hide behind trees that say, 'Oh Muslim, Oh Servant of [[God]], here is a Jew hiding behind me. Come here and kill him.'"<ref>http://www.citizensoldier.org/madrassa.html</ref> |
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Students must recite the [[Pledge of Allegiance]] as, "One nation under [[Allah]], indivisible, with [[justice]] and [[liberty]] for all, [[Inshallah]]."{{citation needed}} |
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== Community involvement == |
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===Notable individuals connected to ISA=== |
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*[[Ahmed Omar Abu Ali]], [[valedictorian]] of the academy in [[1999]], was convicted on charges of providing material support to the [[al Qaeda]] terrorist network. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison. His defense team argued successfully that his first confession in Saudia Arabia had been extracted under [[torture]], but when Ali confessed again in the U.S., the judge ruled his confession admissable. His defense team is appealing the decision.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4461642.stm</ref><ref>http://writ.news.findlaw.com/cassel/20050307.html</ref> |
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Since its establishment, the Islamic Saudi Academy has viewed its relationship with the community and culture as vital to the mission of the school. ISA not only promotes respect and mutual understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims, Arabs and Americans while keeping within the Muslim faith, it strives for its staff and students to uphold tolerance, honesty, integrity and compassion, qualities that represent the best of both American and Arabic cultures. |
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*Two former students at the school were denied entry into [[Israel]] in [[2001]] when federal officials found they were carrying a farewell letter in anticipation of a [[suicide]] mission. One of the two, [[Mohammed Asman Idris]], said that the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] were acceptable because of the [[United States]]' mistreatment of [[Muslim]]s.<ref>http://www.freemuslims.org/news/article.php?article=129</ref> |
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*Susan L. Douglass, a former social studies teacher at ISA and social studies-text writer, wrote texts for [[International Institute of Islamic Thought]], an organization with ties to several terrorist organizations. IIIT's offices were raided by the FBI in 2002.<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38304</ref> |
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*[[Ismail Selim Elbarasse]], who helped manage the finances of [[Hamas]], worked for 14 years as ISA's comptroller. ISA denies knowledge of his ties to Hamas.<ref name=ACCEPTABLE/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.saudiacademy.net/html/Technology.html Official page] |
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*[http://www.saudiacademy.net/html/Mission.html Mission statement] |
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*[http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/003905.php Summary of controversial connections] |
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[[Category:Fairfax County Public Schools]] |
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[[Category:High schools in Virginia]] |
[[Category:High schools in Virginia]] |
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[[Category:High schools in Fairfax County]] |
[[Category:High schools in Fairfax County]] |
Revision as of 18:11, 29 September 2006
The Islamic Saudi Academy is a preparatory school in Virginia, accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It has classes from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade, and has a current enrollment of more than 900 students. [1] The school has been accused of promoting terrorism.
Overview
The school was founded in 1984. It has campuses in Alexandria and Fairfax, Virginia. The Fairfax campus has pre-kindergarten through first grade classes and the Alexandria campus has grades two through twelve. The school is bilingual, with classes in English and Arabic, and a combined American and Middle-Eastern curriculum. Classes are segregated from third grade onwards. The school holds a chapter of the National Honor Society. [1]
Programs and activities
The school's curriculum includes Islamic studies, Islam for beginners, Arabic language, Arabic ASL, Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Computers, Art, English, Social Studies, and Physical Education. The school also has an Advanced Placement Program and an English as a second language program. [1]
The ISA is a member of the Northern Virginia Independent Athletic Conference (NVIAC), and participates in the basketball, volleyball and soccer leagues, fielding both boys' and girls' varsity teams. The school has 22 football fields. [2]
The school participates in various educational and leadership-oriented extracurricular activities. There is an annual science fair and a Shakespearian drama program. Students are active participants in the Model United Nations program, the Presidential classroom program, Future Business Leaders of America, and various other programs. [1]
The mission of the Islamic Saudi Academy is to enable its students to excel academically while maintaining the values of Islam and proficiency with the Arabic language. The Academy endeavors to provide a caring, challenging and supportive learning environment where students can achieve their highest potential while exhibiting civic responsibility and multicultural appreciation.
Controversy
The ISA has repeatedly been accused of promoting terrorism. The Philadelphia Enquirer nicknamed ISA 'Terror High'.[3].,
On February 23, 2005, the day after Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, ISA's valedictorian in 1999, was indicted on terrorism charges, New York Senator Charles Schumer issued a press release questioning whether the ISA was "another madrassa". Senator Schumer sent letters to Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan and U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. [4]
The Washington Post reported:
"Several students of different ages, all of whom asked not to be identified, said that in Islamic studies, they are taught that it is better to shun and even to dislike Christians, Jews and Shiite Muslims. Some teachers "focus more on hatred" said one teenager, who recited by memory the signs of the coming Day of Judgment [when Jesus will return to lead Muslims in killing all Jews, according to Islam]. "They teach students that whatever is kuffar [non-Muslim], it is okay for you" to hurt or steal from that person."[citation needed]
Kamal Nawash, a Muslim and president of the Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism asked, "How much longer can they argue that all of these people related to terrorism are just falling through the cracks? There must be an environment there that is tolerant of the kind of extremism that leads to this kind of activity."[citation needed]
College
ISA prepares students for entry into American, as well as international universities and colleges. After graduating from ISA, over ninety per cent of students go on to attend American universities, including such elite institutions as MIT, Georgetown, Princeton and Stanford University. The school also actively promotes relationships with local universities, such as the George Washington University, George Mason University, and American University by taking students on campus and inviting college representatives to speak at the school. Over the past five years, ISA students have received over a million dollars in college scholarships from American universities.
Community involvement
Since its establishment, the Islamic Saudi Academy has viewed its relationship with the community and culture as vital to the mission of the school. ISA not only promotes respect and mutual understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims, Arabs and Americans while keeping within the Muslim faith, it strives for its staff and students to uphold tolerance, honesty, integrity and compassion, qualities that represent the best of both American and Arabic cultures.