New York Arabic Culture School Raises Concerns Among Neighbors

Today's New York Sun reports on growing concern over New York school authorities' decision to open a new middle school in Brooklyn that will focus on Arabic language and culture. The new Khalil Gibran International Academy will be in a building that houses two other specialized schools in a neighborhood with a heavy Arab-American population. Other parents say they are concerned that the school will become a vehicle for extremist political and religious ideology. The Department of Education, however, says the school will be secular, is open to anyone, and will be closed down if it shows any indication of becoming religious.