(The Center Square) – Fairfax County Public Schools guidance for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks told educators not to associate the attacks with Islam or Muslims, while also directing teachers to identify al-Qaida as the terrorist organization responsible.
A seven-page copy of the guidance reviewed by The Center Square includes recommendations for schools and teachers choosing to commemorate the anniversary.
On Sept. 11, 2001, the Muslim militant group founded by Osama bin Laden known as al-Qaida hijacked four commercial airliners and crashed them – two into the World Trade Center towers, one into the Pentagon, and another never making its target and falling from the sky in Shanksville, Pa. According to the FBI, “bin Laden and other members of al-Qaida also began issuing fatwas – rulings on Islamic law – indicating that attacks on the U.S. and its citizens were both proper and necessary.”
Among the cautions were not to “associate the 9/11 attacks with Islam or Muslims” and not to “center the extremists or the acts of the extremists.”
The same document tells educators to make clear that the attacks were carried out by al-Qaida and that the organization’s ideology and actions should not be attributed to Islam or Muslims generally.
Suggested language for secondary school teachers says members of al-Qaida hijacked four planes in a coordinated terrorist attack on the United States.
The guidance also addresses anti-Muslim and anti-Middle Eastern bias and tells educators to be prepared for harmful rhetoric around the anniversary and to maintain an inclusive classroom environment.
Superintendent Michelle Reid said Friday the division teaches the Sept. 11 attacks under Virginia’s Standards of Learning. She said the anniversary materials were centrally reviewed resources provided for commemorations outside U.S. history courses. Reid also said the school district was reviewing the materials following community feedback.
In middle school U.S. history, Virginia Standard USII.8 calls for students to examine how the attacks affected domestic policy, American society and global perspectives on the War on Terror. High school Standard VUS.17 requires students to analyze the attacks within the broader context of terrorism, democracy and the United States’ role in defending democracy, according to FCPS.
The Fairfax guidance comes the same year Virginia required the Department of Education to restore education resources rescinded beginning in 2022.
Chapter 706 requires the superintendent of public instruction to restore the EdEquityVA website and associated materials, specifically including VDOE’s “Teaching 9/11” web series.
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from the Fairfax County school district on whether it used or referenced the restored Education Department materials in developing its anniversary guidance.
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from the Education Department on when the resources were restored and whether school divisions received additional guidance.
This post was originally published on The Center Square.
