Hawzah News Agency-San Diego Unified School District board members voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of a plan to address Islamophobia and bullying of Muslim students.

More than 200 members and supporters of the city's Muslim community erupted into applause after the vote.

Earlier in the meeting, a Muslim leader urged the district to produce a plan.

Hanif Mohebi, executive director of the San Diego chamber of the Council on American-Islamic Relations told the board that according a CAIR survey, some 55 percent of students asked said they had been bullied, while one out of five said school staff were not supportive.

"We must provide the right resources to (educators)" to lessen bullying incidents, by suggesting professional development and the proper curriculum, Mohebi said.

Several students -- some of whom said they were physically attacked because of their religion -- also urged the district to come up a plan.

Ten-year-old Tasmeya Hammad said another girl became hostile and violent after she asked Tasmeya why her mother wore a head scarf.

"Please help us stop this kind of blame so no one else gets hurt," she added.

Luqmaan Bokhary, a high school student, said many Muslim students go to school in fear, which also affects their academic performance.

During the meeting, numerous Muslim members of the audience held lime- green signs that read, "Protect our kids."

Board member John Lee Evans commended the children for speaking out at a time when the nation's political discourse has taken negative turn.

In praise of the speakers, Evans added that while he doesn't like generalize, he doesn't remember hearing a "more respectful and articulate group talking about this issue."