Controversial pro-Palestinian phrase in email leads to discrimination claims against Muslim Arab American teacher
CAIR files discrimination complaint on behalf of Black Muslim Arab American teacher in Maryland placed on leave for email signature supporting Palestinian rights
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has filed a discrimination complaint on behalf of a Black Muslim Arab American teacher in Maryland. The teacher, Hajur El-Haggan, was placed on administrative leave by Montgomery County Public Schools for her email signature that included a controversial phrase supporting Palestinian rights. El-Haggan, a middle school math teacher employed since 2015, was informed by the principal at Argyle Middle School that she was being placed on immediate leave due to her email signature expressing political and personal views, according to the complaint filed Wednesday.
El-Haggans email signature featured the statement "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," as detailed in the complaint where it was described as a call for Palestinian freedom, dignity, and self-determination. This encompasses the right to exist and travel within the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean. The slogan represents the limitations faced by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, including restrictions on travel between cities, entering Israel, and visiting holy sites in Jerusalem.
From left, Tahseen Ali Ahmad, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Hisham Awartani.
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Mainstream Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, have condemned the slogan as "antisemitic" and a "rallying cry" for anti-Israel voices, such as supporters of organizations like Hamas. The phrase has faced recent scrutiny for its use at pro-Palestinian rallies during the Israel-Hamas conflict, and at least one US House member has faced heavy criticism from colleagues for using it.
The school district's guidelines for email and other digital communications can be found on its website. Employees are expected to uphold professional standards by using appropriate email signatures and refraining from using special stationery, quotes, or sayings in or after their email signature.
In a complaint, Ms. El-Haggan was told that including political or non-political quotes in an email signature violated the MCPS Employee Code of Conduct. However, this policy was not enforced against any of her colleagues who engaged in similar behavior.
The complaint contains photos and screenshots of email signatures from other teachers at the school, featuring political and social justice quotes, as well as links supporting causes like Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ rights.
El-Haggan joined CAIR in a press conference held in front of the Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education to announce the filing of the complaint.
According to her attorney, Rawda Fawaz, Ms. El-Haggan was treated differently from her non-Muslim, non-Arab colleagues who engaged in similar conduct. Ms. El-Haggan stated during a press conference that she had offered to remove the saying from her signature, but the county rejected the offer and stated that her administrative leave would remain in effect.
The county has yet to reach out to her, even though she was promised someone would. MCPS informed CNN via email on Friday that El-Haggan is still on administrative leave "pending an investigation," and classified the situation as "a personnel matter," according to district communications director Christopher Cram.
Every moment I am not in the classroom, it breaks my heart
During the press conference on Friday, El-Haggan addressed the crowd wearing a keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf, and adorned with pins representing the flag of Palestine. Behind her, a group of people displayed signs that emphasized the importance of "protecting our teachers" and "defending free speech."
"After witnessing the recent events in Gaza and Palestine, I have become a passionate advocate for the peace and freedom of the Palestinian people," El-Haggan expressed. "This cause is deeply ingrained in my identity as a Muslim and an Arab, and it is of great importance to many others in these communities."
El-Haggan's remarks were in response to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has initiated a siege and war following a deadly attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people. According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza, over 17,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, have lost their lives in the conflict.
Evie Frankl, a member of the pro-Palestine organization Jewish Voice for Peace, addressed the press conference and claimed that El-Haggan is facing discrimination for showing solidarity with Palestinians, who are enduring an ongoing, devastating conflict that is affecting everyone paying attention.
As the daughter of Holocaust refugees and the granddaughter of concentration camp victims, Frankl raised concerns about why showing support for Palestinian lives is considered more controversial than advocating for Black lives, Jewish lives, or women's lives.
In Washington DC, USA, on 18 October 2023, activists from 'Jewish Voice for Peace' staged a protest inside the Cannon House Office Building near the US Capitol, denouncing Israel's anticipated ground assault on Gaza and demanding an immediate ceasefire.
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El-Haggan expressed gratitude for the "incredibly supportive" administration team, coworkers, and school, while alleging that the discrimination is originating from the county.
"I have dedicated my entire life to being an educator. Every morning, I wake up eager to empower my students to feel valued, loved, heard, and respected. I strive to create a safe and inclusive environment where they feel a sense of belonging. It saddens me deeply to be away from the classroom," El-Haggan stated, her voice trembling.
El-Haggan's complaint alleges discrimination based on race, religion, and other factors, asserting that the county's actions violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act.
Furthermore, the complaint contends that "prior to Ms. El-Haggan's situation, MCPS had never taken adverse action against any employee for including political speech in their email signature. Despite being informed that including any type of quote in an email signature went against the MCPS Employee Code of Conduct, this policy was inconsistently enforced among Ms. El-Haggan's colleagues who engaged in similar conduct."
El-Haggan urged the county to take action to safeguard Arab and Muslim educators from discrimination. Most importantly, he appealed for the opportunity to return to teaching his students, as that is every teacher's ultimate desire.
