CONCORD, Mass., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts high school principal has apologized for having a student read a poem by a Muslim author on the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Many of the almost 100 people at a community meeting Tuesday for parents of Concord-Carlisle High School students were also angry because the Pledge of Allegiance was not read on Sept. 11, The Boston Globe reported.
Principal Peter Badalament said that was because of a mix-up with the student doing the reading over the public address system.
"It was a gross oversight,"Badalament said. "The intent was never meant to offend anybody, but I am now well aware of the fact that this is deeply offensive ... Even though the poem has a message of tolerance, one of reasons I'm regretful is because we did it on that day."
School officials said they hoped the poem, "My Grandmother Washes Her Feet in the Sink of the Bathroom at Sears," by Mohja Kahf would foster "cross-cultural understanding."
Some parents at Tuesday's meeting wanted Badalament fired.
Others said their children liked the poem.
"Both my daughters were profoundly moved by the poem," Augusta Heywood of Concord said. "I found the poem to be about inclusion and things that join us together. For me, that was a profound message."
Vineet Chandra, moderator of the student senate, said he and other students have talked with Badalament about the poem. He urged parents at the meeting to let the school and students move on.
