The Islamic Center of East Brunswick (ICEB) is providing an update on the recent East Brunswick High School (EBHS) Yearbook incident. This period has been exceptionally challenging for the Muslim community in East Brunswick, marked by hateful comments directed at us locally and beyond. Our children, particularly those involved with the Muslim Student Association (MSA) at EBHS, faced online and in-person harassment, with their pictures circulated by national media.

In response to this wave of hate and bigotry, our community engaged with the East Brunswick Board of Education and Dr. Victor Valeski, Superintendent of East Brunswick Public Schools, beginning on June 5th. Many community members and affected children passionately spoke at the Board of Education meeting on June 6th, urging immediate corrective action.

We express our gratitude to Dr. Valeski and the Board of Education for acknowledging the pain inflicted on our community and committing to an independent investigation into the incident, which had been hastily characterized by some as anti-Semitic, with unjust suspicions cast upon Muslim students without any basis.

Yesterday, Yaacov Brisman of Brisman Law, retained by the Board of Education to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the Yearbook incident, released the investigation report. It is now confirmed that the incident was an honest mistake, not an anti-Semitic act, and that Muslim students had no role in causing this error. The full report is available at www.ebnet.org/yearbookinvestigation

While this report does not erase the pain and harm caused by the baseless accusations and hateful attacks, we are thankful this matter is now behind us and we can begin to heal as a community. We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Valeski and the Board of Education for affirming that targeting minority groups is unacceptable and for their commitment to a fair investigation.

We urge everyoneofficials, religious leaders, community activists, and township residentsto refrain from jumping to conclusions in the future and play a positive role in unifying the East Brunswick community.

Sincerely,  
Islamic Center of East Brunswick Shura