BECKLEY, W.Va. – The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia and the Council on American-Islamic Relations announced Tuesday a request for an investigation after a Muslim student said he was harassed by students and one teacher at a Raleigh County high school.
According a letter sent to Woodrow Wilson High School Principal Ron Cantley II and Raleigh County Schools Superintendent David Price, senior Ishaq Jafary was harassed by students on school grounds. Incidents include students calling Jafary a “suicide bomber” and chanting “Allahu Akbar.”
When Jafary confronted the students, a fight broke out, resulting in Jafary and the harassing students each receiving a two-day suspension.
This is not the first incident of harassment according to the ACLU of West Virginia; Jafary and his cousin were called “terrorists” by a teacher during a Model United Nations last year.
“School districts and their staff and other agents have obligations under federal law, state law, and district policies to prevent and protect against bullying, intimidation, and harassment,” said Jamie Lynn Crofts, legal director for the ACLU of West Virginia.
Both organizations have submitted a Freedom of Information Act request regarding any policies at Woodrow Wilson High School to address discrimination. The groups are also seeking information about investigations the school held during the 2016-2017 academic year regarding claims of discrimination.