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Woke Virginia school board member wanted to ban terms like ‘radical Islam’

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Woke Virginia school board member wanted to ban terms like ‘radical Islam’


A Virginia college board member who stirred controversy for refusing to assist a 9/11 tribute additionally needed to ban phrases like ‘radical Islamic terror’ and ‘jihadists’ from courses concerning the terror assaults, it has emerged.

Abrar Omeish, 28, stated lecturers in Fairfax ought to use a ‘culturally responsive’ information that does not ‘discover the definition of terrorism’ to tell kids concerning the atrocity.

The information really helpful by Omeish in 2021 stated the phrase terrorism is ‘usually utilized in a biased method’ and courses concerning the September 11 assaults, which claimed the lives of two,977 victims, ought to give attention to the influence on ‘communities of coloration, together with Muslim Individuals’.

Omeish, who in 2021 declined to assist a commemoration of 9/11 victims, is the youngest Muslim lady in Virginia to carry elected workplace. Particulars of the lesson plan have emerged simply days after she said America’s victory over the Japanese within the Battle of Iwo Jima in World Struggle II confirmed what ‘human evil is able to’.

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These feedback had been made final Thursday in reference to the Day of Remembrance, a day of observance for the internment of Japanese Individuals throughout World Struggle II. It happens on the identical calendar day as the primary US landings on the island of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945.

Abrar Omeish, 28, stated lecturers in Fairfax ought to use a ‘culturally responsive’ information that does not ‘discover the definition of terrorism’ to tell kids about September 11

Omeish, the youngest Muslim woman in Virginia to hold elected office, wanted to ban terms like 'radical Islamic terror' and 'jihadists' from classes on 9/11

Omeish, the youngest Muslim lady in Virginia to carry elected workplace, needed to ban phrases like ‘radical Islamic terror’ and ‘jihadists’ from courses on 9/11

Her latest controversy emerged after she voted against a commemoration for 9/11 victims. Omeish's actions have been described as 'tone deaf', 'vicious' and 'anti-American'

Her newest controversy emerged after she voted towards a commemoration for 9/11 victims. Omeish’s actions have been described as ‘tone deaf’, ‘vicious’ and ‘anti-American’

A Republican official in Fairfax instructed Fox Information: ‘Her merciless assaults on the reminiscence of 9/11’s victims and heroes needs to be the final straw. They weren’t simply extremely tone deaf — they had been vicious and, frankly, anti-American.’ 

One other suggestion within the educating information, printed by the Household and Youth Institute, stated lecturers ought to ‘put on cultural gadgets from Muslim international locations as a present of assist’, like scarves, whereas educating about 9/11.

Lecturers are additionally inspired to make use of the time period ‘infinite wars’ about conflicts in international locations like Iraq and Afghanistan. Astonishingly the information claims such conflicts ‘solely hurt Black and Brown communities’.

Elected into workplace in 2019 at simply 24, Omeish additionally has a historical past of anti-Israel rhetoric, and has stated that the district’s admissions coverage has an anti-Asian bias.

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Her father, 55-year-old Esam Omeish, can be a member of the Board of Administrators of the the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque the place three of the 9/11 hijackers had prayed earlier than finishing up the assaults.

Esam is the chief of Basic Surgical procedure at Inova Alexandria Hospital, and former President of the Muslim American Society (MAS). 

The mosque beforehand employed a person suspected of working with Al-Qaeda. That man, Anwar al-Awlaki, was killed by a US authorities drone strike, ordered by President Barack Obama, in 2011.

When she voted towards the 9/11 tribute final yr, Omeish stated it might trigger ‘hurt’ as a result of it did not ‘acknowledge the intensive and unwarranted structural discrimination and ethnic and non secular profiling following 9/11’.

‘As a nation we bear in mind a jarring occasion, little doubt, however we selected to neglect, as this decision does, the concern, the ostracization, and the collective blame felt by Arab Individuals, American Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus and all brown or different people which were mistaken for Muslims since that day over the previous 20 years.

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‘Why are we forgetting the expertise of those households, their traumas?’

The guide, published by the Family and the Youth Institute, recommends classes about 9/11 avoid words 'radical Islamic terror' and 'jihadists'. It also claims the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are 'endless wars' which 'only harm Black and Brown communities'

The information, printed by the Household and the Youth Institute, recommends courses about 9/11 keep away from phrases ‘radical Islamic terror’ and ‘jihadists’. It additionally claims the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are ‘infinite wars’ which ‘solely hurt Black and Brown communities’

Omeish is also the daughter of 55-year-old Esam Omeish, the prominent chief of General Surgery at Inova Alexandria Hospital. Essam is also a member of the Board of Directors of a Fairfax Mosque that welcomed three of the 19 9/11 hijackers

Omeish can be the daughter of 55-year-old Esam Omeish, the outstanding chief of Basic Surgical procedure at Inova Alexandria Hospital. Essam can be a member of the Board of Administrators of a Fairfax Mosque that welcomed three of the 19 9/11 hijackers

Omeish's father is on the board of directors of a that mosque previously employed Anwar al-Awlaki, a man suspected of working with Al-Qaeda. al-Awlaki was killed by a US government drone strike, ordered by President Barack Obama, in Yemen in 2011

Omeish’s father is on the board of administrators of a that mosque beforehand employed Anwar al-Awlaki, a person suspected of working with Al-Qaeda. al-Awlaki was killed by a US authorities drone strike, ordered by President Barack Obama, in Yemen in 2011

Final Thursday, she talked about Japanese Day of Remembrance as one thing to ‘mirror on’, then added: ‘The times when, you already know, Iwo Jima sadly occurred and set a file for actually what, I hate to say, human evil is able to.’

Lasting greater than a month from February 19 to March 26 of 1945, the battle for the island of Iwo Jima is likely one of the most well-known within the historical past of the Marine Corps. Almost 7,000 U.S. Marines from the third, 4th and fifth Marine Divisions died attempting to wrest management of the island from Japan’s Imperial Military of Japan. 

Omeish later issued an announcement to ‘set the file straight’ about her Iwo Jima feedback, saying the American authorities’s function within the battle was ‘not proper’ and there was an ‘pointless spilling of blood’ by the Japanese.

‘Through the college board assembly, I discussed each factors to nuance our dialogue relating to these occasions,’ she stated.

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The remarks adopted a string of different controversies within the college district, together with its choice to delay notifying college students that they had obtained Nationwide Benefit Awards.

Having withheld the distinctions as a part of a progressive marketing campaign designed to not damage the sentiments of scholars who didn’t earn a scholarship – in some circumstances for as much as two years – the district is now going through ire from mother and father, and is the topic of an investigation by the state’s Lawyer Basic.

In Could of 2021,  a sequence of anti-Israel social media posts made by the varsity board member got here to mild, by which she labeled Israel an ‘apartheid’ state that ‘kills Palestinians.’



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Virginia Tech grads living in LA share wildfire experiences

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Virginia Tech grads living in LA share wildfire experiences


ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Firefighters are continuing to battle the devastating fires in Los Angeles that have destroyed thousands of homes and led to the evacuations of over 180,000.

While the fires are thousands of miles away those flames have connections to our hometowns. WDBJ7 spoke with two Virginia Tech Alumni living in Los Angeles on Thursday. While neither of them have had to evacuate their homes, they shared what it’s like to be in LA during the fires and how people there are handling the destruction.

“It definitely feels like a little apocalyptic, just the sky being somewhat black and grey. Here it’s more like the sun is covered by the smoke so it’s just very eerie,” said Jillian Ostick, a 2017 Virginia Tech graduate who lives in Los Angeles.

Ostick lives in the South Bay area of Los Angeles about 10-15 miles from where the fires are.

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“It’s close by but in terms of being evacuated or anything we’re very safe down here. We’re really just affected by the air quality and being worried about other people,” she said.

Ostick works in residential real estate and says many of her clients have lost their homes or evacuated and her team is currently working to help them find rentals.

“People have lost everything and they’re just scared but I think people have a place to stay and have resources. Our team is collecting blankets and clothes and is just messaging out to everybody ‘If you need help, no questions asked just fill out this form’,’” she said. “A lot of people did have to just pack up quick last night if they were in an evacuation area.”

Leah Gay is a 2014 Virginia Tech Graduate who is from the Blacksburg area. She lives in the West Hollywood area of LA and hasn’t had to evacuate yet but says she is prepared to do so if needed.

“Everything so far in our area has just been super smokey, there’s been ash on the ground, on the car, everything like that but in terms of actual fires our area is safe,” said Gay. “Last night we got a new fire that was in the Hollywood Hills. It’s since been contained so that’s good but we could see those flames, the second you open the door it smelled like you were right in a fireplace. It was super close to us so we could see it, especially with the night sky it was super illuminated with all that fire.”

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Gay said that she is remaining alert and closely following the latest updates on the fires.

“There’s an app called Watch Duty that pretty much everyone in LA is using for updates. It gives you real-time information about where first responders are being placed and where needs to be evacuated, where the flames are even if they’re moving in a certain direction. It’s a really great app, it has an amazing map in it so you can see in real-time who is being affected and what you need to do next,” she said.

Gay said that she does know several people who have had to evacuate. She said that it is an emotional time in Los Angeles.

“It’s super heartbreaking, so many people’s lives have been affected by this. It feels almost like COVID outside how there are so many less people out on the streets, many people are wearing masks to stay safe from the smoke, so it’s kind of feeling like a completely different Los Angeles,” she said.

Both Gay and Ostick said that people are already doing everything they can to help those who have lost everything to the fires. They both noted that there are many places where people can donate to help those in need.

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While not everyone in L-A has had to be evacuated from their homes, the smoke from the fires is causing major air quality problems that can be harmful to people. The air quality is being adversely affected as far as 100 miles from the fire.



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JUCO Edge Rusher Keenan Eck Sets Visit to West Virginia

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JUCO Edge Rusher Keenan Eck Sets Visit to West Virginia


Citrus College edge rusher Keenan Eck is one of several transfer portal recruits who will be in Morgantown this weekend for an official visit to West Virginia.

He began his career at Division II Black Hills State in South Dakota, and in his freshman season, he was responsible for 13 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. Eck then transferred to Citrus where he notched 6 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and one forced fumble.

“I love it,” Eck said about the opportunity of playing at West Virginia. “A huge culture of winning is being built there; I would love to put in every bit of hard-hitting energy when it comes to rushing the passer for the mountaineers!”

Eck has had several conversations with head coach Rich Rodriguez and defensive coordinator Zac Alley, whom he looks forward to meeting in person this weekend.

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“I really like how fired up they are for a turnaround. They’ve proven to be successful for many years, and they’re bringing the heat with this class of athletes. They want some dawgs that are ready to WORK!”

In addition to West Virginia, Eck has also heard from Eastern Illinois, Montana, San Diego State, Southern Utah, and Texas State. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI

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Montana State RB Transfer Scottre Humphrey Receives West Virginia Offer

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Nicco Marchiol or Jaylen Henderson? Is There a Wild Card? Examining the WVU QB Room



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Spanberger, Earle-Sears deadlocked in tight Virginia Governor’s race, new poll finds • Virginia Mercury

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Spanberger, Earle-Sears deadlocked in tight Virginia Governor’s race, new poll finds • Virginia Mercury


Democratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are in a neck-and-neck race for Virginia governor, according to the first Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll of the 2025 election. Spanberger leads Earle-Sears by a razor-thin margin, 42% to 41%, with 4% of voters supporting another candidate and 13% undecided, the survey found. 

With 10 months to go before the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election, the race “is tight overall, but significant demographic differences are emerging”, said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. 

Kimball noted that Earle-Sears has strong support among male voters, who favor her 52% to 37%, and white voters, who back her 50% to 35%. Spanberger, on the other hand, leads among women, 47% to 31%, as well as older voters over 70 and younger voters under 30, who support her 46% to 43% and 43% to 33%, respectively.

Both women are currently the only declared candidates for their parties in Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race. Earle-Sears appears poised to secure the Republican nomination after endorsements from Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares. 

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On the Democratic side, however, the race could expand, as U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, has openly mused about running. Meanwhile, former GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman is considering a bid for governor or lieutenant governor as an independent candidate.

Thursday’s survey shows little change in the dynamics of the Virginia gubernatorial race since a September poll by the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, which found Spanberger and Earle-Sears tied at 39%, reflecting a consistently tight contest as the 2025 election approaches.

The new poll further highlights significant voter dissatisfaction with the economy, as 51% of respondents feel their financial situation is worse than it was four years ago. Only 27% believe their situation has improved, and 22% feel it has stayed the same.

“Among those who feel their economic situation is worse than four years ago, 56% think the state is headed in the right direction and 56% have a favorable view of the Governor,” Kimball said. 

“Additionally, 66% of those who feel they are worse off than four years ago have an unfavorable view of President Biden, suggesting they may be blaming the president rather than Governor Youngkin for their current economic situation.”

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Youngkin, who is term-limited, remains popular among Virginia voters, with a 48% favorable rating and 35% unfavorable. 

Both gubernatorial candidates are less well-known to voters: Spanberger has a 38% favorable rating and 21% unfavorable, with 24% neutral and 17% unfamiliar. Earle-Sears holds a 33% favorable rating and 22% unfavorable, while 27% are neutral and 18% unfamiliar.

Voters are evenly split on President-elect Donald Trump, with 47% holding a favorable view and 47% unfavorable. President Joe Biden fares slightly worse in Virginia, with a 43% favorable rating and 50% unfavorable.

The poll shows a majority of voters (59%) believe Virginia is headed in the right direction, while 41% think the state is on the wrong track. The economy is the top issue for Virginia voters (38%), followed by housing affordability (14%), healthcare (10%), education (8%), and threats to democracy (8%).

Additionally, 56% of voters agree that climate change could be a factor in the recent heavy snowstorms that disrupted parts of the state, while 44% disagree.

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The Emerson College Polling survey, conducted Jan. 6-8, included 1,000 registered Virginia voters and has a credibility interval of +/- 3 percentage points. Data were weighted by gender, education, race, age, party registration and region.

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