Muslim Students Report Being Threatened
Derogatory Remarks Spray-Painted At School; Some Students Leave School
POSTED: 2:01 p.m. MDT September 20, 2001
UPDATED: 7:34 p.m. MDT September 20, 2001
BOULDER, Colo. -- University of Colorado police are investigating reports of threats against students of Middle Eastern descent after last week's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
The messages "Arabs go home" and "Blow up Afghanistan" were spray-painted Wednesday on the front columns of the Boulder campus library and a nearby concrete bench. Crews removed the graffiti with a high-pressure washer.
Amina Nawaz, a member of CU's Muslim Student Association, said that the graffiti left her feeling helpless.
Jon Buerge, a tri-executive with the CU student government , said that he knows of a Muslim student who was spit on. He fears racist words and actions will divide the CU community but he said that students have united to condemn such hateful speech and actions.
Chancellor Richard Byyny said that every effort will by made to find those responsible for hate crimes on campus.
The fear of harassment and retaliation has caused about 10 percent of the Middle Eastern student population at the University of Colorado in Denver to withdraw, 7NEWS reported.
Those 20 students are from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, said Larry Bell, the director of international education at UCD.
Ahmed Habil, a UCD student, said that he's not worried about violence, but he is anxious. He said that some of the students who've gone home wanted to stay but their parents wouldn't let them.
"The thing about the parents is they're so scared for their children, they're not even willing to listen to what their children have to say," Habil said. "They're like, 'You know what? It's too dangerous. Come home. I want to see you.' Just imagine you've sent your kid 2,000 or 3,000 miles overseas and all of a sudden this news breaks out that everybody's against Muslims. You don't want to lose your kid when he's there."
Bell expects the students to be back next semester.
"There have been some minor harassing activities directed at them in their car, in their parking lot at their home, but never on campus," Bell said.
At Colorado State University, three Middle Eastern students have returned home, but said that they will continue to take classes online, CSU spokeswoman June Greist said.
The messages "Arabs go home" and "Blow up Afghanistan" were spray-painted Wednesday on the front columns of the Boulder campus library and a nearby concrete bench. Crews removed the graffiti with a high-pressure washer.
Amina Nawaz, a member of CU's Muslim Student Association, said that the graffiti left her feeling helpless.
Jon Buerge, a tri-executive with the CU student government , said that he knows of a Muslim student who was spit on. He fears racist words and actions will divide the CU community but he said that students have united to condemn such hateful speech and actions.
Chancellor Richard Byyny said that every effort will by made to find those responsible for hate crimes on campus.
The fear of harassment and retaliation has caused about 10 percent of the Middle Eastern student population at the University of Colorado in Denver to withdraw, 7NEWS reported.
Those 20 students are from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, said Larry Bell, the director of international education at UCD.
Ahmed Habil, a UCD student, said that he's not worried about violence, but he is anxious. He said that some of the students who've gone home wanted to stay but their parents wouldn't let them.
"The thing about the parents is they're so scared for their children, they're not even willing to listen to what their children have to say," Habil said. "They're like, 'You know what? It's too dangerous. Come home. I want to see you.' Just imagine you've sent your kid 2,000 or 3,000 miles overseas and all of a sudden this news breaks out that everybody's against Muslims. You don't want to lose your kid when he's there."
Bell expects the students to be back next semester.
"There have been some minor harassing activities directed at them in their car, in their parking lot at their home, but never on campus," Bell said.
At Colorado State University, three Middle Eastern students have returned home, but said that they will continue to take classes online, CSU spokeswoman June Greist said. Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
