Education officials in Florida have launched an investigation into Reviver Academy, a private Muslim school, after an Imam called for the annihilation of Jews in a sermon at the mosque located on the school’s grounds. The Florida Department of Education is demanding the school explain its relationship with the Imam, Dr. Fadi Kablawi, who made inflammatory remarks. The school has received $500,000 in taxpayer-funded vouchers benefiting 74 students and may risk losing this funding if it does not comply with the investigation. Officials are also seeking information on the school’s ownership, Kablawi’s relationship with the school, and if any students were present during the Imam’s speech.
The Imam’s video, which was live-streamed to Facebook, shows Kablawi calling for the annihilation of Jews and describing the Israeli military as being worse than the Nazis. The Florida Department of Education has stated that they will not tolerate calls for genocide, especially when made in the presence of students. Reviver Academy has been given a week to respond to the demands for information regarding the Imam’s speech. This investigation comes in the midst of a wave of antisemitism on college campuses, with officials expressing concern over such rhetoric being promoted in educational settings.
The investigation was prompted by Republican State Rep. Randy Fine, who wrote to the Florida Department of Education calling for the school’s eligibility for taxpayer funding to be suspended and for an investigation to be launched into the school. Fine’s calls were backed by the Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus and the non-profit StopAntisemitism. In addition to the investigation into the school, Fine also wrote to the Florida Board of Dentistry requesting that Kablawi’s dental license be suspended and an investigation into his dental practice be launched. Kablawi has stated he intends to get attorneys involved should the state take any action against him.
In Florida, families are legally allowed to use taxpayer-funded vouchers to pay tuition at the school of their choice, including private religious schools like Reviver Academy. The school must comply with the demands from the Florida Department of Education regarding the Imam’s speech or face potential consequences, including the loss of funding. The investigation has raised concerns about hateful rhetoric being promoted in educational settings, prompting calls for action from state officials and advocacy groups. It remains to be seen how the school will respond and what actions will be taken as a result of the investigation into the Imam’s remarks.
The inflammatory speech by the Imam, calling for the annihilation of Jews and making derogatory remarks about the Israeli military, has sparked outrage and calls for accountability. The Florida Department of Education, along with state legislators and advocacy groups, are working to ensure that such hateful rhetoric is not tolerated in educational settings. The investigation into Reviver Academy and Dr. Fadi Kablawi is ongoing, with officials seeking to gather information about the school’s relationship with the Imam and the content of his speech. The outcome of the investigation and any potential consequences for the school and the Imam have yet to be determined as the investigation progresses.
