(08/25/2025) The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today designated Wayne State University (WSU) a “Hostile Campus” for its repeated repression of Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, and allied students who oppose Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
SEE: CAIR Designates Wayne State University a “Hostile Campus”
“Wayne State University has criminalized peaceful dissent and silenced the voices of its Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, and allied students who speak out against the Gaza genocide,” said Dr. Maryam Hasan, CAIR Research and Advocacy Specialist.
“Our organization has a long history of defending the rights of students and community members at Michigan’s universities.” Said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “It is deeply concerning that in 2025 we are still witnessing the same discriminatory tactics used to silence student voices—particularly those advocating for social justice and human rights. WSU must change course and respect the First Amendment rights of all its students.”
In May 2024, WSU police dismantled a peaceful Gaza solidarity encampment, arresting students and community members. Protesters and faculty have documented discriminatory enforcement of campus policies. Major university decisions reportedly excluded student and faculty input, and virtual public board meetings were reportedly intended to silence dissent.
SEE: Wayne State ducks pro-Palestinian activists with new virtual board meetings
CAIR’s Unhostile Campus Campaign gave WSU a score of 32% out of 100%, citing the filing of a federal Title VI complaint by CAIR-Michigan and a reported lawsuit by a group of Gaza genocide protestors.
SEE: Pro-Palestinian protesters sue Wayne State University
To view CAIR’s full list of hostile campuses, visit: islamophobia.org/hostile-campuses