Do’s

Based on our past nine years of experience in providing education about Islam to Social Studies and Global History teachers, we make the following recommendations:

• Use CIE (Council on Islamic Education) & ISB (Islamic Speakers Bureau) materials found in their catalogues. Use AWAIR (Arab World And Islamic Resource) materials.


• Use TCI (Teachers Curriculum Institute) materials.


• Differentiate between the teachings of Islam and the practices of some Muslims, as is done with other faiths. This is especially important if you are referring to news articles about current events.

Don’ts

To reduce the potential of hate crimes and incidences against Muslims in America, and to change stereotypical perceptions, we recommend that you:

• Don’t use “Shabanu,” the fictional book. It presents an extremely narrow and stereotypical view of the Pakistani culture.


• Don’t use “Not Without My Daughter,” the film. It was released during the Gulf War and presents a negative and stereotypical view of Muslims. It’s a typical Muslim-basher.


• Don’t use News Media and Hollywood in general as an authoritative source on Islam or Muslims.

Included in the Islamic Speakers Bureau catalogue are fictional book titles & short stories that are suitable for sixth and high school grades.

If you have any questions, contact the Islamic Speakers Bureau of New York at (212) 725-7922 or at lee@isbny.org