Texas Teen Arrested for Bringing Clock To Class Plans To Switch Schools

Ahmed Mohamed, the student arrested last week for bringing a homemade clock to class that his teachers mistook for a bomb, does not plan on returning to MacArthur High School.

Ahmed's father, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed, told the Dallas Morning News that he had met with school officials on Monday to withdraw his son from the Irving, Texas school district

"Ahmed said, I don't want to go to MacArthur," Mohamed told the paper. "These kids aren't going to be happy there."

The 14-year-old student made national headlines last Monday, after he was detained and handcuffed by police on the suspicion of bringing a "hoax bomb" to his suburban Dallas high school. It turned out to just be a clock that Ahmed had made and wanted to show to his classmates and teachers.

Ahmed, who is Muslim and of Sudanese descent, became the subject of a national debate over religious discrimination and racial profiling.

"This episode is a good illustration of how pernicious stereotypes can prevent even good-hearted people who have dedicated their lives to educating young people from doing the good work that they set out to do," said White House press secretary Josh Earnest.

Several high-profile figures quickly spoke out on Ahmed's behalf.

"Cool clock, Ahmed," President Obama tweeted. "Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It's what makes America great."

Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It's what makes America great.

— President Obama (@POTUS)September 16, 2015

The President then invited Ahmed, an aspiring scientist, to attend Astronomy Night at the White House on October 19.

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Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, also reached out to Ahmed and invited him to tour Silicon Valley. Hillary Clinton has also expressed her support.

Ahmed's father said that the family had received offers from many other schools around the country and is in talks with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, according to the Dallas Morning News. But Mohammed said the family is first going to New York to meet with United Nations dignitaries on Wednesday and then planning on taking Ahmed on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

"When we come back," Mohammed said, "We'll visit President Obama."

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