Parents, students and community groups urge lawmakers to add Islamic and Arabic studies to school curricula

Dozens of speakers — including students, parents and civic groups — urged the Education Committee to approve HB 7075, a bill that would make Islamic and Arabic studies curriculum materials available to school districts across Connecticut.

Parents and community advocates said that students who identify as Muslim or Arab often encounter ignorance and bullying in school. “Ignorance breeds fear, and fear breeds division,” said Mona Thomas of Fairfield, who testified the bill would promote understanding and reduce Islamophobia. Students from multiple districts told the committee they had been taunted or told to “go back to your country” and said classroom instruction that included the history and contributions of Arabs and Muslims would counter stereotyping.

Academic witnesses and community organizers said adding Islamic and Arabic studies would not supplant existing instruction on other cultures but would bring balance to curricula that already include units on Christianity, Judaism, African American history and Latino studies. Sonia Sohair Omer and other presenters urged lawmakers to add the subject to the list of state curricular areas that districts may use in their social studies and world language planning.

Advocates also asked for local input in curriculum development and warned the committee to avoid politicized or inaccurate materials. “It is crucial that we, people of goodwill, educate each other and foster greater understanding,” said Sohair Omer, who asked lawmakers to add the subject to General Statute 10‑16b along with other specified area studies.

What’s next: Multiple legislators and witnesses encouraged the committee to proceed; staff were asked to examine statutory language and how textbooks or curriculum guidance would be made available to districts. No vote was taken at the hearing.