IQNA

NYU President Responds Days After Vandalism of Muslim Prayer Room, Pledges Action

17:12 - April 08, 2025
News ID: 3492614
IQNA – New York University President Linda Mills has pledged the institution’s strongest disciplinary response and increased security measures following the desecration of a Muslim prayer room at the Bobst Library, which is being investigated as a hate crime.

NYU President Responds Days After Vandalism of Muslim Prayer Room, Pledges Action

 

Her universitywide statement, issued on Sunday—three days after the incident—faced criticism from student groups for its timing, Washington Square News reported.

According to the university, the incident occurred on Thursday during Eid Fest, a celebration organized by Muslim student organizations. Vandals reportedly urinated on prayer rugs and drew graphic imagery on the walls.

In her email, Mills described the act as “egregious and outrageous,” adding, “It is not a reflection of the community we treasure.” She also wrote, “I am stunned to think that someone in our midst can have done something so hateful.”

NYU had initially acknowledged the incident through messages from Campus Safety and a university spokesperson, who stated that the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force was assisting in the investigation. Mills confirmed that the individual responsible would face NYU’s “most severe sanctions” in addition to any legal consequences.

Read More:

In the wake of the attack, NYU officials met with Muslim students on Friday. Mills acknowledged the emotional toll on those affected, stating that students expressed feeling “angry, heart-stricken, sickened and scared.” She assured the community that the university would enhance security in campus prayer spaces and take steps to safeguard their sanctity.

However, student groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine criticized the university for what they saw as a delayed and insufficient response. In a public post, they drew attention to past actions by Mills, including the crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations and communication with a parent who has described themselves as an Islamophobe.

Muslim student leaders have since met with university officials, including the Dean of Students and Campus Safety, and reported that over 1,000 students signed a petition condemning Islamophobia on campus within 24 hours.

In their statement, the students emphasized a need for concrete action, writing: “We’re pushing for immediate changes to protect our spaces and are not accepting empty promises or generic emails.”

Read More:

Several campus groups, including the Student Government Assembly and Faculty and Staff Against Antisemitism, issued their own statements condemning the act as a hate crime and urging a swift and transparent investigation.

The university has not released further information about any suspects. The off-campus fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, whose initials were found chalked on a wall, denied any involvement.

 

Source: Agencies

captcha