NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — An alleged Islamophobic comment by a New Jersey math teacher to a 17-year-old student has caused quite a stir at Ridgefield Memorial High School and led to the educator's suspension.
Mohammed Zubi told WABC 7 the comment last week came after he asked his teacher if he could finish an assignment at home, to which he allegedly answered insinuating that the Arab American teen was a "terrorist."
"He responded saying, 'we don't negotiate with terrorists,' so I look around in shock, there's people laughing, and there's other people in shock, and I turn around and ask my friend, 'did he really just say that?' and she said yes," Zubi said.
Classmate Nicholas Velez said the class was mostly "shocked," with many dumbfounded by his remark.
Zubi, the school's soccer team captain, said he heard some students laugh and said he hasn't been back at school, feeling uncomfortable being there.
"I don't want to see anyone, and I've been in my room all day — don't want to see my friends, especially after what that teacher said to me," he said.
Anas Zubi, one of the teen's older brothers who graduated from the school that their mother worked at, said the comment disheartened him.
"To see my little brother, a minority, 17 years old, to hear a comment like that, you know, it broke my heart," he said.
In response to the alleged remark, The Ridgefield School District announced Monday that the staff member has been suspended and that is conducting a "full investigation."
"[There is] absolutely no tolerance for any sort [of] discrimination against any student or staff member," officials said in a statement. "The District strives to create an inclusive environment where students and staff members’ race, religion, national origin and sexual orientation are embraced."
