Yusuf Omar's video from Instagram.
Image: Screenshot/Instagram
MULTI-award-winning journalist, Yusuf Omar faced severe backlash and death threats after he posted a video where he labelled pupils at Orient Islamic School as “the rudest group of kids I have met anywhere in the world”.
The video stemmed from Omar’s visit to Orient Islamic School in Greyville on Tuesday, where he was invited as the guest speaker.
Its sparked widespread debate within the local Muslim community, prompting responses from the schools leadership, former pupils, and parents.
Omar said since Tuesday, his family had received over 20 death threats after he was accused of labelling the pupils as ‘entitled’, linking their behaviour to affluent family backgrounds and luxury vehicles.
Screenshots of the death threats Yusuf Omar is receiving.
Image: Screenshot
Following the backlash, Omar took to his Instagram account where he posted: “I could have handled this better. Not all kids are entitled. My feedback must be kind. But personal threats to my family's safety is not ok. Finally, I'll never apologize for wearing a lungheee."
He told the POST today that no matter what happened, and even if he could have handled it differently, threats of violence should never be tolerated by the community.
"This school has graduated some incredible leaders: doctors, lawyers, and so much more. My mother, brother and sister are all alumni. But a small group of thugs threatens to destroy that legacy."
One person, who attended Omar’s talk but declined to be named, said he (Omar) had allegedly left the school angrily.
“He started making the video while he was in the school and while angrily walking off."
Omar, the co-founder of Seen TV and a TEDx speaker, has empowered journalists to tell stories using their cellphones. According to a profile on YouTube, he has been a foreign correspondent using only his phone since 2010 and covered the Syrian civil war.
Screenshots of the death threats Yusuf Omar is receiving.
Image: Screenshot
Imtiaz Saib, the school's executive headmaster, said that in light of the recent incident which had garnered public attention, they wished to provide clarity.
"The claims circulated online are entirely unfounded. The incident took place on the first morning following the school holiday break, which also coincided with the period immediately after Ramadaan. Contrary to the portrayal on social media, our pupils conducted themselves with demureness and respect, not with the rudeness suggested in Mr Omar’s initial remarks.
“Our intention in inviting Mr Omar was to provide our pupils with an inspiring experience, given his professional standing. It was therefore unfortunate that he chose to depart without first discussing any concerns directly with us, opting instead to express his frustrations on social media.
"Prior to his departure, Mr Omar expressed dissatisfaction that our pupils did not raise their hands or respond in the manner he anticipated. While we acknowledge his perspective, we wish to emphasise that our pupils are naturally humble and composed in their demeanor.
Screenshots of the death threats Yusuf Omar is receiving.
Image: Screenshot
“We acknowledge that Mr Omar later retracted his social media posts and conceded that he should have handled the situation differently. While we appreciate this acknowledgment, it came after the content had already reached a wide and unintended audience.
"Nonetheless, we accept his gesture of accountability and wish him well in his future endeavors. Our pupils have shown remarkable resilience throughout this matter and have used the experience as a meaningful opportunity for growth. We also extend our sincere gratitude to our school community, parents, alumni, and supporters, for the encouragement and solidarity shown to us during this time."
Razia Rangrage, a parent, posted a detailed and emotional video defending the school’s pupils and warning against harmful generalisations.
“I am a mom. I do not drive a BMW and my daughter goes to the Orient Islamic school. So there was a statement that was made about children having a sense of entitlement because their fathers drive BMWs. My daughter does not have a dad. So yes, growing up as an orphan is not easy. There are many other children in that situation.
Screenshots of the death threats Yusuf Omar is receiving.
Image: Screenshot
“Alhamdulillah, there are children that are in that school based on their own merit. So they have scholarships and there are parents that are working really hard in order to give their children a wonderful future. So we are not throwing them up with a sense of entitlement. They are very aware. It is called sacrifice. It is called support, and it is called empowerment because that is what we are trying to do for our children...
"My daughter is there from Grade R and our journey has not been easy. But I will tell you one thing. If she was not in our Islamic school, and if I had placed her in a so-called non-Islamic school, but another private school, we would not have been able to get through it."
Rangrage told the POST today that she was a proud mother of an Orient Islamic School pupil.