(WASHINGTON D.C., 8/24/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned threats targeting a University of North Carolina (UNC) student and his family over a column he wrote in the university’s student newspaper criticizing Israeli apartheid policies of racial segregation.
The Daily Tar Heel, UNC’s student newspaper, pulled a column entitled “When studying abroad becomes a political statement” after the writer and his mother allegedly received threatening messages. In the column, the writer called Israel an “apartheid state” and argued that students who travel to Israel are making a political statement “at the expense of an oppressed people.”
SEE: UNC student paper removes column criticizing Israel after writer receives threats – Jewish Telegraphic Agency
In a statement, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said:
“Disliking the opinions expressed by a student columnist can in no way justify threatening him or his family, and such actions cannot be tolerated. Campuses must be places of open dialogue and free speech, but far too often we see students censored, silenced and intimidated for speaking out against Israeli apartheid policies of racial segregation. The university must stand with the student and condemn the threats against him.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]