Connect the Dots 101

A Ridgefield Memorial High School teacher is suspended after he told an Arab-American student that he doesn’t “negotiate with terrorists.”

RIDGEFIELD, NJ — A Ridgefield Memorial High School teacher has been suspended by the district after he called an Arab-American student a terrorist, the district announced.

According to WABC, who first reported the story , senior Mohammed Zubi, 17, asked his math teacher for an extension on an assignment in class. In response, the teacher told Zubi “we don’t negotiate with terrorists.”

According to the publication, the remarks were made on Tuesday and Zubi, a captain on the high school soccer team, hasn’t returned to school since.

On Friday, Council on American-Islamic Relations Director Selaedin Maksut shared what happened on Twitter, and called on the school to take action.

“A New Jersey teacher allegedly told a Muslim student ‘we don’t negotiate with terrorists’ after he asked for an extension. This type of language is unacceptable from an educator. The school must investigate and take appropriate action.”

The district has done so, announcing in a statement that the teacher has been suspended, and the district is conducting a full investigation with the assistance of law enforcement.

Read the full statement below:

The Ridgefield School District has absolutely no tolerance for any sort of discrimination against any student or staff member. The District strives to create an inclusive environment where students’ and staff members’ race, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation are embraced. While the District cannot legally comment on personnel or student matters, the public should be aware that the District immediately suspended the staff member while it is conducting a full investigation. Additionally, the District has notified law enforcement for its assistance. The District fully intends to pursue any and all legal remedies against the staff member as any discriminatory conduct has absolutely no place in our District.