(SEATTLE, WA, 3/25/2024) – The Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the University of Washington to speak out against a piece of hate mail sent to the UW Seattle Somali Student Association (SSA).
On March 13, during the first few days of Ramadan, the SSA received a hateful letter including the phrase “go back to whatever s***hole you came from,” among other profanity. The SSA filed a police report and is calling for solidarity and support. They will hold a demonstration at UW on Thursday, March 28 at 12 noon on the UW Quad.
SEE post by the Somali Student Association here, including an image of the hate letter
“It is clear that the SSA has been targeted with this racist, Islamophobic rhetoric due to their principled and consistent activism in standing against the genocide in Gaza,” said CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi. “The hate experienced by Muslim students on campuses across this state is disturbing. However, our community stands in support of the SSA and we refuse to be silenced in the face of such blatant anti-Muslim bigotry.”
In light of other recent incidents at or near the University of Washington, including ongoing harassment of a Muslim student and an attack against a woman wearing a hijab, it is imperative for the University of Washington to speak out against Islamophobia, anti-Muslim bias, and hate in all its forms.
SEE: CAIR-WA Highlights Concerns over Hijab Attack in U District
Ramadan, which is a month-long observance of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community, ends with a multi-day celebration on April 9. Due to the length and intensiveness of Ramadan observances, it is important to proactively protect freedoms of religion for Muslims during this time, and to call out bias or discrimination when it occurs.
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-WA Senior Communications and Marketing Strategist Katie Walker, kwalker@cair.com