Raimondo tours Islamic School of Rhode Island
WEST WARWICK — Gov. Gina Raimondo decided to visit the Islamic School of Rhode Island on Monday morning to deliver a message of solidarity and inclusion for both the students and faculty.
During her trip Raimondo received a tour of the facility, which is located on Providence Street, and spoke briefly with students, faculty and staff about the work the school has done since opening in July of 2004.
The Islamic School of Rhode Island is used by 130 students daily, ranging in age from preschoolers to 8th graders. They come from cities and towns throughout the state to work with the qualified staff at the nonprofit institution.
Principal Abdelnasser Hussein, who has been with the school for the last three years, said the mission is to provide an innovative and high-quality education while molding students spiritually, morally and ethically, guiding them and instilling strong Islamic values to ensure future success.
“Here at ISRI, we derive our message from the faith in the necessity of raising a generation that believes in its creator, Almighty Allah,” their mission statement reads.
The school’s curriculum is designed based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Rhode Island, and students learn all of the typical subjects, including math, science, social studies and language arts, among others. They also participate in other subject areas specific to their faith, including the Qur’an, Arabic and Islamic Studies, learning things like appropriate manners, prayers and even how to maintain their Islamic identity in a multicultural society.
While visiting Nafisa Girach’s class, Raimondo fielded some questions from curious students, like: “What does a governor do?” and “Did you always want to be a governor?”
“It’s a fun job but you worry about everything all the time,” Raimondo joked after listing a few of her daily responsibilities. She also emphasized the importance of education.
“When I was your age I had no idea what I wanted to be, and that’s okay,” she said. “You can be lots of different things as long as you get a good education and work hard.”
“Would you ever try to become President?” another student asked.
“A lot of people have been asking me that,” Raimondo laughed. “First I’m going to fix Rhode Island.”
Hussein said the students were particularly interested in her recent proposal for free college tuition, which allows students attending URI, RIC or CCRI to do so tuition-free for two years.
“I want you all to go to college, but college is very expensive,” she explained. “When I went to college I had to take out a lot of loans, about $70,000, and I think that’s too much.”
“Going to college will change your life,” she added. “Some people don’t go to college because they think they can’t afford it.”
Raimondo also greeted the school’s teachers and staff, thanking them for their work and dedication and making a point to let them know that Rhode Island welcomes people from all faiths and cultures.
“I love being in schools and seeing the kids studying and energetic,” she said. “But I wanted to be here today to let the community know that they have my support, and that everybody belongs in Rhode Island regardless of their faith. I thought it was important to be with the community, especially at this point in time.”