Debbie Almontaser, Peacemaker
Martin Sheen is getting plenty of recognition for his human rights work: He will receive Pax Christi Metro New York’s 2008 Peacemaker award on Palm Sunday, March 16. So will Debbie Almontaser. And therein lies the story.
Almontaser, a Muslim who migrated to New York from Yemen at the age of 3, was the victim of what New York Times education columnist Sam Freedman called “a concerted exercise in character assassination” after city school authorities appointed her to be principal of the new Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn. The Arab-themed public school quickly became controversial, denounced by opponents as a “madrassa.” Rather than engage in legitimate debate about whether the school is a good idea, certain opponents – echoed in two newspapers, The New York Sun and New York Post – smeared Almontaser as un-American. (For some of the ugly details, see Freedman’s article published last Aug. 29.) In the face of nasty press, Almontaser says, city school officials forced her to resign from the post.
It was stunning, since Almontaser is well known among community leaders in Brooklyn for the work she does to encourage ethnic tolerance. She is, for example, one of the stars of a Voice of America documentary that aims to show the rest of the world how Muslims and Orthodox Jews, among others, live side by side in relative peace and tolerance in a Brooklyn neighborhood. Those who smeared Almontaser or caved in to the attacks have transmitted the opposite impression of their country.
And so it is good to know that Debbie Almontaser will join Martin Sheen (and Ruth and Betty Cypser) on Palm Sunday in being honored as a peacemaker. The award itself is a gesture of peace.
I wholeheartedly agree with your beautiful words about Debbie Almontaser. I am so looking forward to honoring her– and the meaningful work she has done to further peace and justice– at the event on Palm Sunday. I agree that the award itself is a gesture of peace.
Sonna Nevel
I hope that noone will ask if she’s a”lefty.”
I’m really saddened to se how the NY Post has degenerated even more since I left New York – the Murdoch reach of mediocrity has descended further.
The ugly head of Muslim prejudice will surely go on though -watch the PACS in the upcoming campaign.
I note, in the meantime, that the muslim scholars group were meeting in Rome yesterday with Papal reps to prepare for BXVI’s meeting with them later (does anyone have firm details?)
This is the double standard. Many of us have criticized the president for over reacting in taking the rights of ordinary citizens under the mantle of security. Newspapers and other oracles have gone public with such criticism. When an American Arab does that all kinds of false accusations fly and Debbie suffered as a result. The irony is she is the type of leader we need to bridge gaps between religions and countries. She does in fact have very close Jewish friends and supporters.
This is a superb move by Pax Christi to honor Debbie. This is what a Christian community should do is build up peace makers. Thank you, Paul, for bringing it to our attention.
Paul, thanks for citing Almontaser and the Freedman story. Bravo to Pax Christi. Here is a direct link to it for those who want a fine piece on an ugly story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/education/29education.html
The issue and Freedman’s story are so good I use them in class with my–or rather, your–journalism students…
PS: I suspect there are some who would think Debbie Almontaser a better Catholic than Martin Sheen!
Can someone parse this press release issued today by the Catholic League? Is Donohue upset that he did not get an award? Very strange.
http://www.catholicleague.org/release.php?id=1330
Thanks, all, for your comments and links.
Bill, can’t help thinking Pax Christi supports radical Christianity, William Donahue supports Bronx White Irish Catholicism.
You’re back there; does that ring true?
Bob,
Most of the Irish Catholics have left the Bronx as have the Italians except for Country Club and some other pockets. The Irish, Italian and even Hispanics are doing better and all becoming Republicans since that seems to be as status symbol especially for those who grew up poor. If they admit that their grandparents were immigrants, they stress that they were legal.
So Donohue supports Catholic conservatives, those who “made it” and feel liberal is a pejorative especially if they were mugged last night. The downtrodden are not God’s preferred. They are what is wrong with society. Here in Yonkers we have a ten movie theater which has a nice integration level of Afro, Hispanic and others. Many middle age people that I know feel ‘uncomfortable to associate with that mix. Most ‘whites’ eschew such up and comers. Maslow’s hierarchy gone negative, if you will.