The arrest of a former valedictorian of the Islamic Saudi Academy in Northern Virginia is a stunning reminder of the link between terrorism and teaching hate to children [front page, Feb. 23].
Ahmed Omar Abu Ali was apprehended for allegedly planning to assassinate President Bush and trying to establish an al Qaeda cell in the United States. He was not the first Islamic Saudi Academy graduate to attempt to carry out a terrorist attack. About three years ago, two Fairfax County men, Mohammad Osman Idris and Mohammad El-Yacoubi, both graduates of the school, were turned away from Israel after authorities found a letter in Arabic inside their bags that FBI officials say was a farewell note in preparation for a suicide mission. Mr. El-Yacoubi was not charged, but Mr. Idris was convicted of lying on a passport application.
According to a Feb. 25, 2002, front-page story, the Islamic Saudi Academy teaches students, among other things, that "the Day of Judgment cannot come until Jesus Christ returns to Earth, breaks the cross and converts everyone to Islam, and until Muslims start attacking Jews." Global maps hanging in classrooms are missing Israel.
In 2003 the American Jewish Committee, in a joint study with the Center for Monitoring the Impact of Peace, examined 93 Saudi schoolbooks. The study found that Saudi children were indoctrinated in the hatred of American and Western values and taught to abhor and distrust so-called infidels -- i.e., non-Muslims. At least two of the problematic books reviewed in the study were used at the Islamic Saudi Academy.
Since then, the school has removed itself from the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. It lost its accreditation after the association began questioning how it was funded.
We reap what we sow. As long as the teaching of hate goes on, so too will the threat of terrorism.
DAVID BERNSTEIN
Washington Area Director
American Jewish Committee
Washington
