CAIR-NY Stands with Palestinian High School Student Who Recited Poem by Palestinian Poet at Assembly
(NEW YORK, NY, 06/04/2026) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with a Palestinian student who was instructed by school administrators not to share political viewpoints during a school heritage assembly and called on school officials to ensure that Palestinian students are afforded the same rights to expression and participation as their peers.
Dahlia Saada recited the poem “If I Must Die” at a Fayetteville-Manlius High School assembly. The poet, Refaat Alareer, was murdered in 2023 by Israel along with six other family members. After the reading, F-M High School Principal Patrick McNamara reportedly sent an email to parents claiming the poem was “politically charged,” and stating the district does not take political stances.
After the event, a video circulated among students showing a student ripping up a Palestinian flag, “stomping and spitting on it and making derogatory comments about Palestinians.” It appears no public statement was made by the district to denounce the incident, demonstrating what some believe to be a disparity in how schools treat pro-Palestinian students.
CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said:
“We stand with Dahlia and commend her for speaking proudly against injustice and about her Palestinian identity despite the pressure she faced. No student should be made to feel that their heritage, lived experiences, or perspective are unwelcome in their school community. Schools should encourage students to engage thoughtfully with the issues that shape their lives, not silence them because their identity or viewpoint may be considered controversial.”
“Palestinian students deserve the same opportunity as every other student to express themselves, share their experiences, and participate fully in school life without fear of censorship or unequal treatment.”
CAIR-NY is calling on school officials to review the circumstances surrounding this incident, engage directly with the affected student and family, and ensure that policies governing student speech are applied fairly and consistently regardless of viewpoint, ethnicity, religion, or national origin.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT
Afaf Nasher, Esq. CAIR-NY Executive Director, ANasher@cair.com
CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com