(BALTIMORE, MD, 4/14/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed University of Maryland officials’ response to allegations that a male student harassed female Muslim students on its College Park campus.
Last week, CAIR was notified by students and parents that a group of three female Muslim students who wear the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, were approached on March 31 by an unknown white male who engaged them in conversation, making inappropriate remarks about their faith and ethnicity.
One of the students told CAIR they felt uncomfortable, disengaged and walked away. Last Wednesday, one of the three students was confronted again by the same unknown individual – this time, while she was alone. He allegedly ignored her repeated requests to leave her alone as she sought to leave the area. Eventually she was able to leave the scene and call her parents, but the incident left her and her family troubled and concerned.
Earlier this week, CAIR called on the university to investigate the reports and take appropriate action.
SEE: CAIR Calls for Probe, Appropriate Action After Muslim Students Allegedly Harassed at University of Maryland Campus
“While details of the university’s response can’t be disclosed publicly for confidentiality reasons, we’re pleased that campus officials have taken the necessary steps to protect their students’ safety and help eliminate the possibility of further threats or harm by the male student,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “No student deserves to be harassed or intimidated in their campus environment.”
“Any parent would want to know their child is fine and the university values their safety as much as we do,” said an impacted Muslim student’s father, who filed a complaint with campus police, to CAIR. “I’m pleased with the outcome, it’s a relief to know the university understands they need to help keep our kids safe.”
On Monday, April 18, CAIR will join the University of Maryland Muslim Students Association (MSA) and Aqabah Karate to provide a self-empowerment training for Muslim students on campus. CAIR has also offered to provide a cultural training on Islam and Muslims to University of Maryland campus police.
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 Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062