The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Montgomery County Muslim Council today strongly condemned Islamophobic and hate-based graffiti discovered at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda.
The graffiti reportedly included the phrases “F*** Muslims” and “Nuke Palestine,” along with a Star of David painted on a school wall.
CAIR is in touch with the school superintendent and local police and characterized the messages as deeply troubling and dehumanizing – warning that such acts create an unsafe and hostile environment for Muslim students and the broader school community.
“Language that calls for the obliteration of a population victimized by over two years of genocide and decades-long oppression is an expression of abject, pathological cruelty,” said CAIR’s Maryland director Zainab Chaudry. “Vandalism is not protected speech or political expression. Promoting hate and violence against any community is never acceptable in our institutions and communities. Muslim students deserve to feel safe, valued and protected. We urge school officials and law enforcement to fully investigate this incident, hold those responsible accountable, and take immediate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of impacted students.”
She noted that Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.
CAIR expressed concern about students being targeted and traumatized due to hateful rhetoric tied to global conflicts.
“Our schools must be places of learning, not fear,” said Asif Husain, President of the Montgomery County Muslim Council. “No child should be intimidated or made to feel unsafe because of their faith or identity. We stand with Muslim families across Montgomery County and call on community leaders to respond decisively and with compassion, making clear that hate and bigotry will not be tolerated.”
CAIR Maryland is offering support and assistance to students, families, and educators impacted by this incident, including:
• Know Your Rights resources for students facing harassment or discrimination
• Assistance with reporting and advocacy with school officials
• Referrals to counseling and mental health services through trusted community partners
• Educational workshops for schools on addressing Islamophobia, bias, and hate incidents
Community members can contact the Maryland office at mdoutreach@cair.com for resources and questions. Students or parents who experience or witness harassment are encouraged to document the incident and contact CAIR for confidential assistance.
CAIR urges Montgomery County Public Schools to communicate transparently with families, provide trauma-informed support for affected students, and reaffirm a zero-tolerance policy for hate, threats, and intimidation. The organization also urges community members to reject attempts to divide communities and to stand united against Islamophobia, antisemitism, racism, and all forms of bigotry.
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 Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com