Rural Fury over Arabic Script in World Cultures Module forces closing of Augusta, Va. Schools

Juan Cole 12/19/2015

AJ+ | (Video news report) | – –

“VA’s Augusta County School District shut down over security concerns posed by parents who were angry about an Arabic calligraphy lesson. Officials didn’t mention a specific threat, but said that the “tone and content” of messages pouring in from the community and beyond was cause for extra caution.”

AJ+: “Anger Over Arabic Calligraphy Lesson Closes VA Schools”

About the Author

Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment. He is Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History at the University of Michigan and an adjunct professor, Gulf Studies Center, Qatar University. He is author of, among many other books, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires. Follow him on Twitter at @jricole or the Informed Comment Facebook Page