A Canadian high school has sparked outrage after playing an Arabic peace song during its Remembrance Day ceremony, but now some are accusing that outrage of racism.
The scrutiny unfolded when principal Aaron Hobbs of the Sir Robert Borden High School in Ottawa included the Arabic song "Haza Salam," which translates to "This Is Peace," in its Remembrance Day ceremony, as reported by CTV News.
Remembrance Day in Canada is similar to Veterans Day in the United States, as it honors both current and fallen veterans, as well as military and police officers.
The song, associated with peace in Gaza, was seen by many as politically charged and inappropriate for the occasion. Meanwhile, human rights groups condemned the criticism as anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab, with many pointing out potentially racist undertones.
"Just because the language is Arabic?" Jamila Ewais, researcher at CJPME Foundation's anti-racism program, told CBC News. "What if someone was singing this language, let's say this song or like a similar song in, I don't know German or Ukrainian?"
In response to the backlash, including from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, who called the use of the song "deeply" concerning, and local politicians, the school's principal issued an apology.
"Our intention during the ceremony was to foster a message of peace and remembrance, reflecting on the importance of unity and reconciliation. However, we recognize that the song chosen — while intended to highlight themes of peace — also inadvertently caused offence and discomfort to some students, and for that, we regret our choice," Hobbs wrote in a letter to families, obtained by CTV News.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has launched an investigation into the matter.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
