NYC Sued On Behalf Of Teen Named Osama

Parents Claim Constant Harassment By Teachers Led To Suicide Attempt

(CBS)  The parents of a New York teen named Osama have sued the school system, claiming their son was constantly harassed by teachers while school officials did nothing.

Osama al-Najjar, a Jordanian-born Muslim, eventually plunged into a deep depression and tried to commit suicide over the incessant references to the infamous al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden, CBS station WCBS-TV correspondent Andrew Kirtzman reported.

"This one time in gym I was sitting and it was the beginning of the semester and he said, 'Where's Osama?' and I said, 'Right here.' And he goes, 'I thought you'd be in back of a cave somewhere,'" Osama, now 16, said of an incident two years ago with a teacher at Tottenville High School in Staten Island.

Osama, who prefers to go by "Sam" at his new school in Brooklyn, said the tormenting continued for the next two years.

Osama said the students at his school did not participate in the tormenting. He said they often sympathized with him over the treatment he was receiving from his teachers, Kirtzman reported.

Meanwhile, school officials and teachers did little or nothing to stop the ostracism, Osama's parents said.

"The students were more understanding than the teachers. The teachers are the ones who called him names — bin Laden, terrorist," Osama's mother, Suad Abuhasna, told Kirtzman. "One of the teachers told him not to bother to come to class because no matter what he did he's not gonna pass."

On Monday, Osama's parents announced they would sue the Board of Education for violating their son's civil rights.

The suit notes that after a fight with two students, an assistant principal told Abuhasna that she should enroll Osama in an Islamic school, the New York Post reported.

Also included in the suit is Osama's July 2006 suicide attempt that started when he tried to cut his wrists with a broken CD. When his mother noticed she called a psychiatrist. As she called, Osama tied a cord around his neck and threatened to kill himself, the Post reported.

"It's not only terrible to see your baby going through this," his mother told the newspaper. "It's also the guilt you feel because I gave him that name and I chose that school."

"It's an outrage. Those teachers should have been suspended right away, but nothing happened," the family's lawyer, Omar T. Mohammedi, told Kirtzman.

The Department of Education was reluctant to comment, but a spokesman said: "We take these things very seriously. Our policies do not tolerate bias or bullying. ... We want everyone to feel welcome in our schools."

Osama now goes to a school with a special program for traumatized children. He said he is doing better and that when he turns 18, he wants to revert back to his given name, Kirtzman reported.

[ov442]

what a bunch of putz teachers. those are real adult-acting educated leaders. nice

[cathaleen]

That's so cruel. How can we expect tolerance from our children when teachers act this way. They should be fired.

[missyx21]

When I read the headlines I thought it might have been the kids who were bullying him but to learn that it's the teachers. Should our kids really be learning from these kinds of "role models." Do you really want someone like that teaching your kid?!?! Not only did those teachers bully that one student, they were also teaching other students that bullying is okay. *** is wrong with teachers these days, if they're not sleeping with their students they bullying them. ***

[konabike]

That is a shame for teachers and others harassed this young man. I would simply change his name or something.

[reel-crazy]

This lawsuit is insane. Where will it stop? Josef? Adolf? Mao? Kim? Napoleon? Vlad? Henry? Idi? Ivan? Joseph? Karl? or even George?...chuckles

[rohink-2009]

I'm sorry, but, I find it hard to believe. This went on for two years? I know that there are idiots out there but if this was definitely going on I can't believe that the whole school stood by and did nothing.

[rconross]

Reel-Crazy, it's not about the name. Read the story again and learn. This is about a boy who was harassed by teachers, no less, simply because of his name, and the school system did not respond. They deserve to be sued. I say kudos go to those students who supported him. It's good to hear that kids didn't join in on the game.

[aerodog]

He was obviously born way before 9/11 - so can't the teachers realize this? As another post stated, if he were my kid I'd legally change his name. The teachers should be on some kind of probation - or something. I hope they're very ashamed of themselves, now that thousands of people know.

So far we only heard one side of the story. If the teachers behaved this way,shame on them! However,I find it hard to believe that this went on for 2 years and nothing was done? Is it possible that the family of Osama wanted to make a case,so that they could sue? If the other students knew about this,and the parents knew,this could not have gone on like that. There is more than meets the eye here. The boy probably has other issues already and was looking for some attention and friendship which was lacking. Hoopefully he will now concentrate on his studies and learn to grow up into a mature,non-hate-filled young man.

[nterstdparty]

You all keep forgetting, this is America and the one true thing we do better than anyone else in the world is Hate each other, we talk a good game above loving our neighbors and such but our actions speak much louder than our words.

[reel-crazy]

rconross, I suppose I should sue, too, for always being just another 'john' to all the girls that caused me emotional damage in school

[jacqueline41-2009]

I agree with the majority of those who said that these teacher should either be sued or fired. Personally I think both. I would love to give an award to the students for understanding and to keep being his friend. So it went on for two years, that's beside the point-sometimes we can complain for years about something and never get heard until we snap and then everybody's going oops--too late for oops. People we need to get a grip and stop being stupid. These children need our help regardless of the names we give them. Just because a person has the same name as an enemy does not make that person our enemy too. Grow up!!!!

[roesch21]

There is no way this is true. Sounds to me like someone is trying to earn some extra cash with this ***-and-bull story. If this turns out to be true...i'll eat my own head =P

[maccar555]

I'm sorry for this unfortunate young man. I hope he can find peace and friends.

[nothappyatall]

"Osama al-Najjar, a Jordanian-born Muslim, eventually plunged into a deep depression"

Oh WAAAAAAAAA, go back to Jordan if you don't like it, the parents filing a suit and going to the media is guaranteed to get more of the same.

[starleo146]

This is the reason that cause Columbine, and the Virginia Tech episode all the stories after the aftermath show these people were kept out of the norm with other students. How many of you heard kids can be so mean to each other and for teachers to set this example is just not the way our education system should be and any and all should be dismissed.

[jetlizhan]

nterstdparty -

good point and very true, unfortunately

[sasi1-2009]

This sounds like a fractured fairy tale. Are the parents needing money, and feel this is a good way to get some? This definitely needs to be investigated, but I'll wait for confirmation before automatically assuming this is true.

[jscribe58]

If the teachers did the harassing, then they'd do it to Adolph or Jesus, and the school should be sued. It's reminiscent of Johnny Cash's song, "A Boy Named Sue," about a boy whose father gave him that name so he'd grow up tough.

Although this is not right, it always happens. What has to be understood here is that this boy has the same name as a terrorist who led an assault that killed many Americans, knocked down the WTC and basically started WWIII. The anger at the name has not been a created thing.

Also, it is the name of a person who has vowed to kill all Americans, simply because of who they are. It has also been clear that any Americans, as well as all other people of the world of the terrorist Osama's faith are not speaking out and denouncing the actions of the terrorists. This, understandably, gives a legitemacy to any American's feelings.

I think the parents of this boy have got to look into the existing problems that caused him to become suicidal over harassing, even though not right, exists in every school in our country. My feeling is that if your child is being teased because he has the same name as a terrorist who has killed thousands of Americans, not to mention the damage to real estate - unless you are publicly denouncing the actions of the terrorists as people who have attacked your country, ,you have a weak case. Change your kid's name and move on. Or if your loyalty is not to your country, move back.

[missyx21]

"Osama al-Najjar, a Jordanian-born Muslim, eventually plunged into a deep depression"

Oh WAAAAAAAAA, go back to Jordan if you don't like it, the parents filing a suit and going to the media is guaranteed to get more of the same.
Posted by newster1 at 09:50 AM : Jun 12, 2007


Is that the American slogan, "go back to your own country if you don't like it here!!" lol.....They're just standing up for their own right. To go to a safe school. Is it too much to expect these teachers to teach our kids instead of bullying them. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR?!?!

[incog-nito]

newster1: Keep laughing. You'll plunge into a deep depression after the million-dollar settlement he'll get from the school.

[wiredwilly]

Why don't they sue Bin Laden ?
If that fool didn't have his henchmen fly into the World Trade Centers it wouldn't be a problem now, would it.

[incog-nito]

wiredwilly: how do you live with your stupidity every day?

[partyguy51]

what a weird name

[wfbdem]

Oh WAAAAAAAAA, go back to Jordan if you don't like it, the parents filing a suit and going to the media is guaranteed to get more of the same.
Posted by newster1 at 09:50 AM : Jun 12, 2007

Another example of Christian Compassion from the rightwing....

[suecostarn]

This happens all the time. When will people wakeup and realize cruelty is not amusing??????? Bigotry is learned not natural. Go to the source and nip it in the bud. Racists and bigots deserve no quarter.

[toldyouso21]

Why don't they sue Bin Laden ?
If that fool didn't have his henchmen fly into the World Trade Centers it wouldn't be a problem now, would it.
Posted by wiredwilly at 10:09 AM : Jun 12, 2007


****. We don't continually make fun of or go after people named Adolf or Robert (for Robert E Lee, or Lee (for Lee Harvey Oswald) or Jeffrey (Jeffrey Dahmer) or Jim (Jim Jones), or Charles (Charles Manson) this is nothing but grownup azz-holes acting like childish bullies.

WE do not penalize people by name or race or creed or beliefs--or at least we shouldn't. Our anger should be connected to actions.

No matter what crisis or evil in a land, there will always be a group who will capitalize on it, take it as their cue to be mean and nasty and go after others. Germans weren't the only ones killing and torturing Jews and the English weren't the only ones buying and selling slaves.

I hope this young man realizes that all Americans are not as ignorant as the ones at his school and though I do not normally support litigation--I do hope in this case, the settlement is for millions. Then the school WILL take the case seriously--as I am sure they will after the blogs get through with this.

[toldyouso21]

He wasn't being bullied by kids - he was being bullied by teachers. I can't even believe anyone would call that okay.
Posted by jennmarie620 at 09:57 AM : Jun 12, 2007


Of course there will always be some who think this sort of thing is okay or untrue--what ever let's the bs keep going on. Why do you think we are in Iraq? Because despite the mayhem and loss of life--some just get off on pretending to be the good guys when they are really insensitive azz-holes when it comes to how other people are treated. (These are the ones who raised the bullies you may have faced at school or will be raising the new bullies of the future--such jerks are not grown in a vacuum--behind every insensitive child is usually and equally insensitive, azz-hole of a parent.)

[toldyouso21]

it is the name of a person who has vowed to kill all Americans, simply because of who they are. It has also been clear that any Americans, as well as all other people of the world of the terrorist Osama's faith are not speaking out and denouncing the actions of the terrorists. This, understandably, gives a legitemacy to any American's feelings.

IPosted by jscribe58 at 09:59 AM : Jun 12, 2007

WRONG. NOTHING gives legitimacy to harming a child due to his name being the same as a person that is hated. Hitler killed millions--but nobody seems to be persecuting all of the Adolfs in the world. This is just racism pure and simple. The teachers think they can get away with it due to the name--but it really is about them being racists jerks who finally found a loophole to mistreat someone and they have made this boy a target. They should be fired and the parents should try to file a case for hatecrimes. They should wire the boy and have him get some of the comments on tape--THAT would have been proof positive. Too bad I was not at that school. When I was in school and kids were picked on by teachers or other students, I would call them out and tell them to stop it. And I would not shut up either. yep. got kicked out of some classes and had to fight a few times--but only a few--because I could kick azz with the best of them. I hate bullies, no matter what race, no matter how old.

[mbcsmith]

Barack HUSSEIN Obama

[roesch21]

Another example of Christian Compassion from the rightwing....

Posted by wfbdem at 10:14 AM : Jun 12, 2007

...and a great come-back from the leftwing lunatic...

[mo005]

Why not just change the name if it keeps haunting him. I't is a shame the teachers are being so cruel. I hope he wins in court, then gets those childish teachers dis bared from teaching.

[mygramma]

newster1 and Roesch21, you are both idiots. I've been a public school teacher, administrator and now university professor for 40 years. This stuff does happen. It's not a joke. More than once, I have seen the faculty of an entire school turn destructive toward students because of few hateful, nasty individuals among them poisoned the outlook of the faculty.

nester1, climb back under your rock.

[huskerarmy]

and a great come-back from the leftwing lunatic...
Posted by Roesch21 at 10:37 AM : Jun 12, 2007
Barack HUSSEIN Obama
Posted by mbcsmith
That's what it's really come to. You don't believe that a person should be hated because of their name, and the neo-con considers you a lunatic.

[cbs_oliver]

This story does not include the name of the school which is charged with harassment or of any of the teachers or administration of that school - only the name of the student - who is a minor.

If the story is going to be run then the complete information needs to be included.

It is wrong to provide annonomous cover to the school and teachers and administration but not to the student.

In fact, this could be viewed as a continuation of the harrasment.

CBS should add the full information straight away.

[cbs_oliver]

Oh, I missed the info that the harrassment took place at Tottenville High School in Staten Island.

But it is true that the gym teacher and other teachers and adminsitrators who were involved are not named.

[sandy19731]

Oliver,
I agree,
Which school. We want to know who in this country would tolerate this kind of bullying. Having the minor the focus of the story is just more bullying.
Adults need to be held accountable.

[blondmadison]

To the Author of this Article:

YOU ARE MISSING THE NAMES OF THE TEACHERS INVOLVED AS WELL THE PRINCIPAL.

Not an accident.

Why are you protecting them? They picked on a minor in school. Adults, with degrees and credentials felt it was necessary to make fun of and bully a minor child--in a classroom setting.

WHO IS THE SICK SH-T? WHO IS THE PRINCIPAL--WHAT ARE THE TEACHER'S NAMES?

[gunownerdan]

Why don't people harass the CIA for creating Osama Bin Laden and making Al Qaeda possible in the first place?

[iceman_1960]

He should have run away with the Hiccup Girl.

Seriously, having an infamous name can be remedied by changing it. It's not that hard to change one's name in America. Just ask Kareem Abdul Jabar and Muhammad Ali.

There actually are several "Adolph Hitler"s in the US phone directory. That is really sick. They should change a name like that.

Some people manage all right despite infamous names, however. Barack Hussein Obama and NFL running back Reggie Bush are quite successful in spite of their monikers.

[blondmadison]

the harrassment took place at Tottenville High School in Staten Island.

Tottenville High School in Staten Island
I will go on the net to find an address.
If the high school has a web site--teachers usually post a photo id.

This article should not be ignored. Everyone should send a note to the school letting the teachers know to voluntarily quit.

Let them be dog poop scoopers but they should not be working with children. ANY children.

[cbgb31]

Oh Gee, I think I'll name my kid Adolph then sue the school district because he gets teased.

[iceman_1960]

"My husband's name is Pink and he got picked on in school..."
- Posted by cuttingras at 11:25 AM : Jun 12, 2007

Is his first name Floyd ?

[canyoutellme-2009]

So, WHERE is the OUTRAGE against all the ADULTS who are NEOCONS who take Barack Obama's name and bastardize it into a number of Osama twists and turns? This is the same exact thing. Some grown adults who act like elementary school children.

I'm talking about those like Rush Limbaugh and other "respected" members of the NeoCON community (by "respected" i mean "respected" only by other neoCONs).

Pathetic... their whole culture is about bullying. That's what these wars are all about... Bush does it because he CAN!

This family in the article should sue the d*mn school for MILLIONS of dollars. The "teachers" involved (if found guilty) should then be responsible for paying back the school system for these acts. This means for the rest of their lives they give up ALL their possessions and a portion of their paychecks to financially reimburse the school system. In my opinion, teachers have some of the hardest jobs in the world and i commend them for wanting to become teachers. HOWEVER, when you have idiots like these committing such acts on a CHILD, they should be removed from the system. Permanently.

Just my $0.02 :)

[susieq_13]

Poor kid. I'm not for suing people, but that kid should not have had to deal with teachers harassing him. Students, I can understand, but not teachers if that was the case.

principal:
John P. Tuminaro

http://schools.nyc.gov/OurSchools/Region7/R455/default.htm

[roesch21]

This family in the article should sue the d*mn school for MILLIONS of dollars. The "teachers" involved (if found guilty) should then be responsible for paying back the school system for these acts. This means for the rest of their lives they give up ALL their possessions and a portion of their paychecks to financially reimburse the school system.

Posted by canyoutellme at 12:11 PM : Jun 12, 2007

Why and to what purpose? If this story is in fact true(i doubt it for some reason) then yeah fire the teachers, but to say he and his family should get millions because he was picked on and that the teachers should have the rest of their lives ruined by this...that is just obsured. Seriously this boy needs to man-up, everyone here has been picked on at one time or another, some more than others. I was picked on in school, and this isn't a woe-is-me moment, but i was never "reimbursed" for my troubles. Come on now, if it's such a big deal to this kid or he cannot take the pressure then he can change his name...simple enough.

Just MY $0.02

[blondmadison]

principal: John P. Tuminaro

Local Instructional Superintendent:
Margaret Schultz Phone: [phone]

Education Council President: David Bloomfield

Parent Coordinator: Concetta Assennato
Phone: [phone]

PTA President: Anna Pisano
PTA Co-President: Rosanne Pelligrino

School Contact Information:
100 LUTEN AVENUE
STATEN ISLAND, NY 10312
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Region: 07
Administrative District: 31
Borough: Staten Island
School Number: 455
Student Enrollment: 3783
Grade Level: 9,10,11,12,SE
Police Precinct: 123

Send those cards and letters folks. Here is the address, phone #, fax--couldn't find an email address for principal and faculty.

Don't let this kid down! They did this to him being certain they could get away with it. Let's not let that happen.

[ammermantm]

"One of the teachers told him not to bother to come to class because no matter what he did he's not gonna pass'"

This is more than just simple "bullying". and I am guessing this is more than any of us had to deal with in school.

[dragonmouse-2009]

One of the main reasons I'm a big fan of "coffee cup" names. If it ain't on a coffee cup forget it. Alas...several star personalities could learn the lesson too...Rumor, Scout, Dweezel, Moon Unit, Apple...But...

I don't agree with ANYBODY making fun of a person's name like this but TEACHERS??? What's wrong with them. Fellow students...right or wrong kids have been making fun of other kids for decades.