(LOS ANGELES, CA – 1/20/2026) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the recent anti-Muslim threats targeting an Iranian University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) student.
SEE: UCPD arrests man near Kaufman Hall following anti-Muslim threats to Iranian student
On Friday, Jan. 16, the student was walking outside Kaufman Hall on campus when a man approached her and asked if she was Iranian. After she confirmed, the man allegedly began to follow her, stating, “Do you know what my country is going to do to your country … We’re going to clear all the Muslims.”
The UC Police Department (UCPD) reportedly arrested the suspect later that day for disturbing the peace. Authorities stated that the incident will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, along with the man’s prior arrest records.
The suspect has previously been arrested by the UCPD and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) six times—including twice by the UCPD less than two weeks before Friday’s incident. He was also reportedly arrested and released by the LAPD on Thursday, Jan. 15, just 14 hours prior to approaching the student on campus.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“This clearly bias-motivated threat against a student amid rising U.S. tensions with Iran is yet another reminder that bigotry and hate continue to threaten the well-being of students on our college campuses. No student should have to fear for their safety simply because of their actual, or perceived, faith or national origin. Iranian students in the U.S. bear no responsibility for the foreign policy decisions of any government.
“While we commend the UCPD for their swift action in apprehending the suspect, we urge authorities to thoroughly investigate this incident to determine whether it was motivated by anti-Muslim or anti-Iranian hate, or any other form of bias. This is especially urgent given the suspect’s extensive arrest record, indicating that he is a known and repeated threat to students on UCLA’s campus.”
If you or someone you know is the target of hate, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights department at (714) 776-1177 (ext. 2) or click here to submit an intake form.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com