Duke University Probes Vandalism of Ramadan Mural for Potential Islamophobic Intent

IQNA – Duke University's Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) has initiated an investigation into the defacement of a Ramadan-themed mural, which has raised concerns of Islamophobia within the campus community.

The incident, which took place on the Free Expression Bridge, was brought to the attention of university officials last Thursday, The Chronicle reported on Monday.

In a joint statement, Mary Pat McMahon, Vice Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs, and Kimberly Hewitt, Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer, detailed the nature of the vandalism.

A Quranic verse on the mural, reading "Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful," was altered to include the word "not" before "Merciful."

McMahon and Hewitt emphasized that such a distortion of the verse could be deeply offensive to Muslim individuals and contribute to harmful stereotypes that may incite violence against the Muslim community.

Additionally, the statement addressed a second act of vandalism involving red cow posters, which obscured flags of various Muslim-majority countries painted on the bridge.

The imagery of the red cow is linked to extremist rhetoric advocating for the destruction of the al-Aqsa mosque in occupied al-Quds.

The university administration has since covered the graffiti. "We did this to reinforce our existing values and clarify that acts of harassment and discrimination against those who practice Islam or are from a Muslim majority country are prohibited under the Policy," stated McMahon and Hewitt.

The university recently amended its Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Misconduct (PPDHRM) on March 12, incorporating a definition of Islamophobia. The policy now identifies Islamophobia as discrimination or harassment based on one's religion, specifically Islam, or national origin, particularly from a Muslim-majority country.

Source: Agencies