Medford Residents Petition in Favor of Islamic School

February 22, 2004

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/02/22/two_groups_compete_over_future_of_school/

On February 22, 2004 The Boston Globe reported, "Facing an intense lobbying effort by West Medford residents that included letters, telephone calls, and petitions, the City Council last week asked a city-appointed committee to reconsider its decision that would prevent the shuttered Hervey school from being used as an educational facility... The committee's decision ruled out a proposal from a group of area Muslims who wanted to use the building for the Malik Academy, an Islamic school." A petition supporting the school saw it "not only as a way of preserving the character of the neighbor but also as step toward combating prejudice against Muslims that has increased since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. 'In an age where there is so much fear, welcoming this school into our neighborhood is a concrete step we as a community can take to increase understanding and tolerance,' the petition read. 'We feel that a school such as this would augment and preserve the character and unique quality of the neighborhood.'"