One of New York City's smallest public schools is probably one of the most controversial – the Khalil Gibran International Academy.  The Brooklyn middle school, devoted to Arabic language and culture, opened its doors for the first time this week as the city's new academic year got underway. Paige Kollock reports.

New York City's new Arabic school awaited students and protestors on the first day of classes

Parent Najat Handou moved to the United States from Morocco nine year ago.  She is thrilled that her son can now learn his parents' native tongue. "I feel so proud because we have, like, a public school that's going to teach Arabic, which is good for our kids."

But even before it opened its doors, the school has been a source of intense controversy. 

New York City's Department of Education says the Khalil Gibran Academy is not a religious school – and  is just one of some 70 other bilingual schools in the city's public school system where classes are taught in a language other than English. 

But the academy is the first public school in New York to teach in Arabic and give some lessons in Arabic culture – this in a city still traumatized by the 9-11 terrorist attacks six years ago. 

NYC Arabic school opponents gather at City Hall in Manhattan

Jeff Wiesinfeld is a member of 'Stop The Madrassa Coalition'.  He says the school has no place in the public education system. "While most Muslims are not terrorists, virtually all terrorists are Muslim, says Wiesinfeld. “Yes, the world is different since 9/11. The Saudis have funded terror. Other Arabic groups have funded terror, and we have to look at those schools a little bit differently than we look at the Chinese and the Greek and the French [schools]."

Rabbi Ellen Lippman is an Arabic school supporter

Earlier this year, arguments surrounding the school were so intense, that the school's original principal resigned, and the building's location had to be moved.

But on opening day, there was no sign of protesters at the school, only supporters welcoming the students to a school they think is crucial to keeping America's children competitive in a world where Arabic and the Middle East play a significant role.