Students at Aqsa School, an Islamic, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade college preparatory school in Bridgeview, took time in class Wednesday to watch the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Principal Tammie Ismail said she encouraged all classes to watch the ceremony because of Biden’s vow to take action against the COVID-19 pandemic, his choice to select a daughter of immigrants as his vice president and his promise to remove what has been called a Muslim ban.
Ismail said four years ago students were living in fear and uncertainty as hate crimes against Muslims increased due to what she called hateful rhetoric on the campaign trail that emboldened bigots.
“It was my job to make sure they felt safe and supported as they worked to address the hate,” she said in a statement. “This year, I wanted to make sure they felt hopeful as they looked toward a future and viewed the results of their own advocacy, civic action, and engagement in our democracy.
“My goal is to encourage them to be involved in making the changes they hope to see, to dream big and to hold on to hope, always.”
Gisele Arouri, 14, a ninth grader who watched from her history classroom, said it was a special day because she thought BIden represented a fresh start.
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“We all need this so we can all improve America and all be united,” Arouri said.
Another student, Asel Alshouaibi, said she was worried about how people are going to react to the Biden presidency.
“I want all colors to be united again and to come back and for no one to be divided,” Alshouaibi said.