Muslim advocates share tips on teaching about 9/11 to Muslim students

Teaching children about the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US can be a sensitive topic - even more so when it comes to Muslim students, who can face intimidation and bullying related to the event.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of the attacks, some Muslim advocates are sharing tips for educators teaching about this important day.

Huzaifa Shahbaz, a research and advocacy coordinator with the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), recently spoke on a live video, in which he shared suggestions for teaching about 9/11.

These include alerting families beforehand, teaching only vetted materials, responding to harassment, not asking Muslim students to role-play the attacks, or singling them out.

Educators should avoid using language that links Muslims to the attacks, and instead focus on the bigotry and hate crimes that have occurred in the aftermath of 9/11.

Similarly, Amaarah DeCuir, a lecturer of education at the American University in Washington DC, wrote an article on the subject.

Over two years, DeCuir has conducted interviews with more than 50 Muslim students who shared their experiences of bullying and harassment.

She suggests teaching culturally diverse stories about the attacks, examining the social and political effects of 9/11, and ensuring a safe learning environment for students.