AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The Al-Azhar Islamic Center’s rights observatory called for an investigation into reports of widespread discrimination against pro-Palestine students in California’s universities.
Referring to a US human rights organization’s recent study, it said the issue should be properly investigated, Al-Qahira website reported.
Last month, the California chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), in collaboration with its Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bullying (CPHB), released its second campus climate report titled “Examining Islamophobia on California College Campuses,” which sheds light on the lived experiences of Muslim college students across California.
The report evaluates survey responses from 720 students at 87 public and private California colleges and universities, revealing that nearly half of Muslim students experienced harassment or discrimination on campus during the 2023–24 academic year—a significant increase from the 40% reported in CAIR-CA’s 2020 campus climate report.
The findings also highlight how the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and the subsequent genocide in Gaza exacerbated Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian hate, and anti-Arab racism, leaving Muslim students feeling targeted and unsupported.
In a statement, CPHB Director Osman Khan said:
“This past year has been extremely traumatizing for college students of varying ethnicities within the Islamic faith—all because they valiantly chose to stand up and humanize the plight of Palestinians, who have suffered from over 75 years of oppression, dehumanization, and war … These students should not have to suffer physical reprisals, nor fear possible academic and future employment repercussions, for simply practicing their constitutionally protected rights of petition, assembly, and speech.”
According to CPHB Program Manager Bayanne Kanawati,
“Instead of feeling safe and supported on their own campuses, many [students] have faced suppression of their free speech, and some have even been penalized for advocating for Palestinian rights. Unfortunately, this issue is not new, and many universities, administrators, and law enforcement have failed to offer the necessary support, leaving students feeling threatened, targeted, and isolated … College administrators must create a safe and inclusive environment for all, particularly those from marginalized communities. Students should be able to express their identities and political views freely, without fear of discrimination.”
Also, MSA West Advocacy Initiatives Director Omar Mattar said in a statement:
“Since Oct. 7, MSA West has observed a significant escalation in hostile campus climates across California colleges, marked by reports of heightened discrimination and targeting of Muslim students. The majority of campuses have seen incidents ranging from verbal and physical harassment to acts of bias that have created unsafe and deeply unsettling learning environments … Harassment of Muslim students has become disturbingly frequent, with little action taken by universities to mitigate these rising threats.”
Read More:
California: Nearly Half of Muslim Students Report Campus Harassment
In a statement, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) student Amir said:
“While some universities struggle with deeply entrenched tensions that hinder open communication, CSUF has cultivated an environment where students, faculty, and administrators can come together to discuss difficult issues with respect and empathy. This dynamic creates opportunities for Muslim and Arab students to advocate for justice and human rights without the pervasive fear of backlash. This environment has been especially important over the last year, as Muslim students across the country have faced increasing hostility and discrimination due to their advocacy for Palestinian rights.”
According to University of Southern California student Summer, “Some students, while in class, have received [the] devastating news of losing loved ones in Gaza. They not only mourn their families but also face the silence and lack of empathy from their own community. Where are the statements of solidarity, safe spaces for healing, or meaningful support from the administration for those grieving innocent lives? … We cannot claim to be a global institution of higher learning while neglecting the global realities of our students. We cannot say we stand for justice when we turn a blind eye to injustice within our own campus.”
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