An Assistant Principal at Edison High School Accused of Intimidating Muslim Students Association

EDISON, NJ -The Edison Board of Education is investigating an incident involving an Assistant Principal of Edison High School and members of the Muslim Students Association (MSA). The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) says Nicole Himmelstein threatened the student members for requesting a joint Ramadan celebration with neighboring schools. CAIR-NJ says Himmelstein “intimidated” the students, and released a recording of the February meeting.

Edward Aldarelli, Edison Schools Superintendent, confirmed the investigation to TAPinto Edison and released the following statement.

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"As the Superintendent of Edison Township Public Schools, I want to reassure our community that we are taking this matter seriously. The District is immediately reviewing the allegations raised by CAIR-NJ, and we are committed to conducting a thorough investigation. Due to the confidential nature of personnel matters, we cannot publicly discuss any details or actions."

CAIR-NJ says Himmelstein and eight members of the Edison MSA were present for the meeting. CAIR-NJ says they have confirmed the authenticity of the recording and the speakers. They are adhering to a confidentiality agreement with the person who shared the audio recording and will not release information about their identity, according to a press release. To hear the audio released by CAIR-NJ, click here.

CAIR-NJ says the MSA met with Himmelstein to discuss their plans for a joint Ramada celebration by inviting students from schools like Piscataway and North Brunswick. CAIR-NJ says the Edison MSA held similar joint events in the past.

Himmelstein reportedly told members they were barred from hosting the event with other schools, citing ‘security concerns.’ In the released audio, Himmelstein tells the students they can host a celebration for Edison students only or not at all.

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CAIR-NJ says that Himmelstein attempted to intimidate the students and questioned their character.

“I have no problem contacting your university where you got in and explaining what’s going on if you want to take it further,” Himmelstein says, according to the recording released by CAIR-NJ, “You guys are not upholding good leadership skills, and I don’t think any university would want to have students who don’t fulfill good character and values. Do we understand?”

Members of the MSA told CAIR-NJ they felt intimidated and discriminated against. Taha Shaikh, former president of the MSA at Edison High School, said he felt Himmelstein was bullying them to not host the event and inviting other schools.

“CAIR-NJ heard from students who expressed how the joint iftar event between high schools near Edison is how they build, cultivate, and maintain a sense of community and belonging,” said CAIR-NJ Interim Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi in a press release, “It’s disheartening and extremely alarming to see a school official who is supposed to lead by example allegedly use her position of power to threaten Muslim students over an event aimed at nurturing their relationship and growing their community.”

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