Quote:Virginia school officials and parents are condemning a series of student-made videos posted by Muslim Student Association (MSA) chapters at two Fairfax County high schools, in which members staged mock kidnappings as part of efforts to recruit for the club. Critics say the content is “traumatizing,” especially for Jewish students, which appear to mock the real-world kidnappings carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

The since-deleted clips, filmed at Langley High School in McLean and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, appear to show MSA members targeting students who refuse to join the club. In one video, students at Langley can be seen placing a bag over a classmate’s head, lifting him off the ground, and throwing him into the trunk of a car, which quickly drives away. The scene ends with the group laughing and asking bystanders if they want to join after seeing the consequences of saying no.

A similar video at Thomas Jefferson depicts students covering a classmate’s head with a keffiyeh while stuffing another into a plastic storage bin before dragging them away. It’s unclear whether the two clubs coordinated the content, though similar clips from unrelated students mocking club recruitment have surfaced online.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) swiftly condemned the footage, stressing that the district did not approve the videos and warning that disciplinary consequences are possible.

“These videos depict violence, including kidnappings, with victims being hooded and placed in the trunk of a car,” FCPS said in a statement. “Acting out these types of violent acts is traumatizing for many of us to watch and, given world events, especially traumatizing to our Jewish students, staff, and community.”

“FCPS would never consider these videos to be appropriate or acceptable content,” the district added, reiterating that students found in violation of school policy “will be held accountable for their actions.”

Parents shared similar outrage. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington called the footage “chilling.”

“It’s almost chilling to see teenagers so lively acting out something that is so horrific,” CEO Guila Franklin Siegel said, noting the parallels to real-world hostage-taking overseas.

Multiple students at Thomas Jefferson were reportedly suspended over the incident, prompting backlash from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which accused the district of discriminatory enforcement.

“The video mirrors a popular trend of students promoting their events on campuses across the country,” CAIR wrote in a letter, alleging that punishment stemmed from “racist tropes and stereotypes about Muslims and Arabs.” The group argued the suspensions violated the students’ First Amendment rights.

However, CAIR’s pushback comes as the organization continues to face scrutiny over its own history. Federal prosecutors during the landmark Holy Land Foundation terrorism-financing trial identified CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator, citing evidence that tied the charity’s network to Hamas. Members of Congress have called for investigations into the group and its finances. National Jewish organizations, counterterrorism researchers, and former federal officials have also criticized CAIR’s rhetoric on Israel and antisemitism, particularly since the Oct. 7 attacks.

In addition, the United Arab Emirates designated CAIR a terrorist organization in 2014, citing alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Fairfax officials, meanwhile, maintain that school safety and community sensitivity remain the priority, saying the district strives for campuses “where all students and staff feel safe and respected.” Investigations and disciplinary reviews are ongoing.