(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 6/10/2025) — The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) and Lower Merion Alliance for Free Speech on Palestine (LM AFSP) today strongly condemned the actions of the Lower Merion School District (LMSD) after a high school student was reportedly forced to remove a Palestinian keffiyeh-patterned headscarf at their graduation ceremony, subjected to a search, made to sit under visible police surveillance for the remainder of the event, and barred from full participation in the graduation ceremony.
According to reports from the student and witnesses, school staff at the Lower Merion High School graduation intervened when the student arrived wearing a headscarf with a pattern of a Palestinian keffiyeh. The student was told the garment was “disruptive” and required to remove it before participating in the ceremony. The student was escorted out when they expressed discomfort with this intervention from the district officials. After eventually complying, staff continued to deny entry to the student who was only allowed entry after intervention from their mother. They were then reportedly taken to a separate room and searched there. The student was then assigned to a seat separated from peers, watched closely by local police officers stationed nearby for the rest of the event, and prevented from waving to their family under threat of withholding of their diploma.
SEE: STUDENT’S ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT
CAIR-Philadelphia and LMAFSP are particularly concerned that at Harriton High School graduation, also within the Lower Merion School District (LMSD), students were reportedly allowed to walk the graduation stage earlier last week with displays of the Israeli flag and messages of support for the Israeli hostages.
The keffiyeh, a cultural symbol worn proudly by Palestinians and their supporters across the world, has increasingly been subjected to politicized scrutiny and suppression. CAIR-Philadelphia and partner organizations condemn this act as a clear violation of students’ rights to free expression and a troubling example of racial and political profiling.
Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia, stated:
“Singling out this student and subjecting them to police surveillance reflects a broader, deeply troubling pattern of institutional hostility toward expressions of Palestinian solidarity. Schools should be safe spaces for all students—not environments where cultural identity and solidarity is policed and punished. The violation by LMSD of this student’s right to full participation in the ceremony after their agreement to the removal of the keffiyeh-patterned headscarf is deeply troubling. LMSD must provide a full explanation and apology considering the double-standard and selective enforcement of policies across two high schools within LMSD.”
In a statement, Lower Merion Alliance for Free Speech on Palestine said:
“We are appalled at the way this student was treated by the administration charged with overseeing this momentous occasion in their life. While we recognize the district’s right to limit disruptive political statements during graduation ceremonies, the political bias and inherent racism in how this standard was applied to a student wearing a keffiyeh compared with students expressing support for Israel reflects a pervasive and disturbing trend within the district. In light of the egregious disparity we question the intent of the new policy which was only introduced this year after a longstanding tradition of student political expression at LMSD graduation ceremonies. We commend students who have the courage to stand up for their values in the face of intimidation. We call on the district to examine the structural and personal factors which led to this shameful incident and demonstrate a commitment to building a school environment that is inclusive for all.”
In a statement, Rabbis for Ceasefire said:
“Jews and other ethnic and religious groups are fundamentally safer in democratic societies that honor freedom of expression. We support CAIR and partner organization’s requests for the LMSD to apologize, review its policies on student expression, and to foster a truly inclusive community.”
CAIR-Philadelphia and partner organizations are calling on Lower Merion School District to:
- Issue a public apology to the affected student and family;
- Review and revise its policies related to student expression and dress at school events;
- Reaffirm its commitment to creating inclusive and non-discriminatory environments for students of all backgrounds.
If you or someone you know has experienced similar discrimination or targeting in a Pennsylvania or Delaware school district, please report the incident at pa.cair.com/report
CAIR-Philadelphia is part of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Our mission is to protect civil liberties, promote justice, and empower American Muslims through legal advocacy, education, and grassroots engagement.
Lower Merion Alliance for Free Speech on Palestine is a grassroots organization of diverse Lower Merion school district stakeholders defending the right to educate on, learn about, and express support for Palestine in our schools. instagram.com/lm_afsp
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, PhD; 617-401-5397 (mobile), atekelioglu@cair.com.
