The Edison Township Public Schools district is conducting a thorough investigation into allegations made by Muhamed Taha Shaikh, a recent graduate and former president of Edison High School’s Muslim Student Association (MSA). Shaikh claims that in February an assistant principal threatened retaliation against MSA members after they requested to host a joint Ramadan Iftar with students from other schools.
Superintendent Edward Aldarelli has assured the community that the district is taking the matter seriously and is committed to a thorough investigation. “We immediately launched an investigation, due to the confidential nature of personnel matters, myself or any of the Board of Education members can not and will not discuss publicly any details or actions at this time” said Dr. Alderelli at last nights meeting.
Edison Board of Education President Biral Patel said “I personally take the issue seriously and I have spoken with our Superintendent Dr. Aldarelli to perform a thorough review of the matter so that there is a right outcome of the situation at hand.”
“I felt discriminated against, and the board felt afraid as well because it felt like she was threatening our college acceptances after we worked hard for four years,” Shaikh said in a statement. “I felt she was trying to bully us into not hosting the joint event, even though other school clubs have been allowed to invite outside students to their events.”
The district’s investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released.
