School district in Virginia advises teachers avoid linking 9/11 to radical Islam on anniversary

Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, a wealthy suburb of D.C., is advising teachers to avoid linking 9/11 with radical Islam in the course of teaching history on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. 

The six-page instructional guide, "25th Anniversary and Commemoration of 9/11," was distributed to teachers and recommends they create a "safe space" for Muslim students, Fox News reported. 

The document recommends teachers avoid associating the 9/11 attack with Islam or Muslims, and not to center discussions about the events on extremists or the acts of extremists. It also advises teachers to "prioritize students safety and wellness" and "design instruction around" students' "needs and experiences." 

The district, which sits a few miles from the Pentagon, said in a statement to Fox that its proximity to where the terrorists crashed one of the hijacked jets into a building creates a "deeply personal connection" to the events. 

"On the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, we remember the nearly 3,000 people who were killed, including 184 at the Pentagon. We remember the victims, their families, the survivors, and everyone whose lives were forever changed. We honor the first responders whose courage and sacrifice continue to inspire us," the school district said, adding that it "remains committed to an inclusive environment" where "all students feel welcomed."