The principal of an Ottawa highschool is apologizing to college students, dad and mom and guardians after an Arabic-language track was performed through the college’s Remembrance Day service.
The meeting for college students and employees at Sir Robert Borden Excessive College on Monday included the track ‘Haza Salam’ being performed.
“It has come to my consideration that the inclusion of the track ‘Haza Salam’ in this system induced vital misery to some members of our faculty neighborhood,” principal Aaron Hobbs stated in a letter to Sir Robert Borden households Monday night. “For this, I wish to supply my apologies.”
‘Haza Salam’ interprets in English to “That is Peace.” On YouTube, there are a number of totally different variations of the track ‘Haza Salam’ and it has develop into a track to oppose the continued Israel-Hamas battle in Gaza.
“Our intention through the ceremony was to foster a message of peace and remembrance, reflecting on the significance of unity and reconciliation,” Hobbs says. “Nevertheless, we acknowledge that the track chosen—whereas supposed to focus on themes of peace— additionally inadvertently induced offence and discomfort to some college students, and for that, we remorse our alternative.”
The Ottawa-Carleton District College Board says on its web site that colleges host their very own Remembrance Day ceremonies with pupil and employees participation, which embody visitor audio system and members of the neighborhood.
Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod says the varsity didn’t comply with the Royal Canadian Legion protocol for Remembrance Day providers. In a social media submit, MacLeod stated she spoke with the OCDSB Director of Training Pino Buffone and, “shared my anger, disappointment and actually utter confusion on how Remembrance Day at a faculty whose namesake was PM in WW1 may get this so fallacious.”
Hobbs says the varsity will “study from this expertise and try to do higher.”
“We acknowledge that Remembrance Day is a solemn event, the place the main focus ought to stay on honouring those that have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we maintain pricey. The inclusion of a track that might be seen as politically charged was not in step with the values of respect and unity that we try to uphold at this college,” Hobbs stated, including “I apologize to anybody who was damage or offended.”
“I wish to reassure your complete college neighborhood that we’re taking this matter critically. We will likely be reviewing our procedures for choosing music and different content material for future ceremonies, guaranteeing that each one choices are made with the utmost sensitivity and respect for the various backgrounds of our college students. Our aim is all the time to deliver the neighborhood collectively, and we acknowledge that we missed the mark this time.”
