The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has taken action in response to alleged discrimination against Hajur El-Haggan, a Black Muslim Arab American teacher in Maryland. Placed on administrative leave by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) due to a controversial email signature, El-Haggan’s case raises concerns about selective enforcement of school policies.
Background
Hajur El-Haggan, a dedicated middle school math teacher employed by MCPS since 2015, was informed on November 20 of her immediate administrative leave. The reason cited by the school principal was the presence of a politically charged phrase in her email signature, expressing support for Palestinian rights.
El-Haggan’s email signature included the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” interpreted as a call for Palestinian freedom, dignity, and self-determination. The complaint argues that this phrase refers to the restrictions faced by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza imposed by Israel.
The discrimination complaint filed by CAIR contends that MCPS selectively enforced its policy against El-Haggan. While her email signature was deemed a violation, similar conduct by her colleagues, expressing political and social justice views, reportedly went unchecked.
The controversial phrase has drawn criticism from mainstream Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, who label it as “antisemitic” and associate it with anti-Israel sentiments. The complaint acknowledges the sensitivity of the slogan, especially during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
MCPS has a policy on email best practices, urging employees to maintain professional email signatures without incorporating political or non-political statements. The complaint argues that this policy was inconsistently enforced, with El-Haggan’s colleagues facing no repercussions for similar conduct.
CAIR, in its discrimination complaint, highlights the alleged disparate treatment of El-Haggan compared to her non-Muslim, non-Arab colleagues engaging in similar conduct. The organization underscores the importance of fair and uniform application of school policies.
During a news conference, El-Haggan, emotionally vested in the cause, expressed her commitment to advocating for peace and freedom for Palestinians. She emphasized her willingness to compromise by removing the controversial phrase but claimed that the county rejected the offer.
MCPS, responding to inquiries, stated that El-Haggan remains on administrative leave pending an investigation, characterizing the situation as a “personnel matter.” The school district remains silent on the alleged discrepancies in policy enforcement.
Call for Protection and Resolution
CAIR has received over 200 bias incident reports from Muslims and Arabs in Maryland, many involving discrimination against those supporting Palestinians. El-Haggan, urging the county to protect Arab and Muslim educators, emphasizes her primary desire to return to the classroom.
Conclusion:
The discrimination complaint, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleges violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act. El-Haggan’s case raises broader questions about the protection of educators expressing political views and the need for consistent policy enforcement.