A newly appointed principal at Western Hills High School in Fort Worth has been reassigned as the school district investigates her past social media posts. Some critics claim that this action is rooted in religious discrimination.
Shayma Alzubi, who recently took on the principal role, had been with Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD) for more than ten years, most recently serving as an assistant principal at Southwest High School. However, the district became aware of several controversial posts attributed to her, which has led to an ongoing investigation.
Among the posts under scrutiny are comments made in January defending Sharia Law, which she compared to other religious ethical systems. Additional posts include a repost from August 2021 advocating for COVID-19 mask mandates, a photograph of Alzubi with a Black Lives Matter banner, and another image with the caption asserting, “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.”
The Fort Worth ISD stated that these posts do not conform to their social media policy, which prohibits staff from integrating personal political views into the educational environment. In a public statement, the district emphasized its commitment to providing a diverse and inclusive educational experience for all students, aligning with its mission as a taxpayer-funded institution.
Supporters of Alzubi are calling for her immediate reinstatement, arguing that she is being unfairly targeted due to her religious identity. They contend that she was selected for the principal position based on her qualifications and experience. Following her appointment, they allege that right-wing bloggers initiated complaints regarding her being a “visibly Muslim woman” in a leadership role.
A news conference is scheduled for Thursday at the Islamic Unity Center in Fort Worth, where Alzubi’s supporters plan to address the situation further.
