Pennsylvania School Cancels Production of Kismet Over 9/11 Worries

A school in Western Pennsylvania has cancelled a production of the musical Kismet that was due in February 2012.

According to the AP, community members raised a fuss because the chestnut is set Baghdad and is about a Muslim street poet, saying that their location and the timing are too close to the 9/11 tragedy. School superintendent Thomas Flemming told the news service "We're not saying there's anything bad about the musical. We may potentially produce it in the future."

Ahmed Rehab of the Council on American-Islamic Relations countered "Those in education ought to know that more than anyone, we're a country of immigrants. It's doesn't stand true to our legacy as a nation. I think they need to reinstate the play."

Plans are to put on Oklahoma instead.