The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the alleged doxxing of two University of Maryland College Park students by a pro-genocide roommate, and is calling for an investigation and appropriate disciplinary action following these troubling reports.
According to the students and video footage provided to CAIR, their private information including full names and place of employment was shared publicly on social media without their consent, by a roommate who sharply criticized their involvement in pro-Palestine advocacy, made accusations against them without evidence, and exposed them to potential harm, harassment, threats and workplace conflict. This alarming violation of privacy raises serious concerns about safety, free speech, and the chilling effect such actions can have on students.
One University of Maryland student, who was reportedly doxxed, said in a statement to CAIR:
“After being doxxed, I felt unsafe and worried for my future. As a Muslim woman with my whole career ahead of me, I was receiving death threats and people demanding to see my face. I was scared they would try to ruin my career. However, in the face of adversity, I looked to my community for help and found comfort in having support that will get me through this like CAIR has.”
“We are appalled by the reported doxxing of these UMD students in an act that threatens their personal safety and subjects them to unwarranted speculation, relational and harassment,” said CAIR Maryland Director, Zainab Chaudry. “Institutions of higher education especially have a responsibility to enforce strict policies against this practice. We urge university officials and campus police to take immediate action to investigate this incident, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure the safety of all students on campus.”
CAIR encourages all students to familiarize themselves with the various forms of doxxing, a form of intimidation intended to silence speech by putting a person’s private information online, and report these incidents to administrators, law enforcement and CAIR.
SEE: ReThink Media’s Anti-Doxxing Resources
SEE ALSO: ReThink Media’s Training on Anti-Doxxing
CAIR has a long history of advocating for the rights of students and is offering support to those impacted. The organization urges anyone experiencing similar threats or harassment to report them to local authorities and CAIR’s civil rights team.
SEE: CAIR Know Your Rights as a Student Resource
SEE: CAIR Doxxing Toolkit 2024
CAIR Maryland calls for increased security and support resources for targeted students and encourages all those affected to report such incidents promptly. CAIR also renews its commitment to advocating for educational environments that are safe, inclusive, and conducive to the success of all students.
If you or someone you know has experienced a doxxing incident, CAIR-MD urges you to report it by contacting our office.
SEE: CAIR’s Report an Incident Form
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293