US institution bans graduation speech by Muslim student in response to protests from pro-Israel organisations

The University of Southern California (USC) has come under fire from a well-known advocacy group for postponing Asna Tabassum’s planned graduation address in 2024 due to protests from radicalized anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian groups.

Ms. Tabassum, who identifies as a “first-generation South Asian-American Muslim,” was informed during a call with USC Provost Andrew Guzman on Wednesday that the volume of security threats and harassment from pro-Israel critics made it impossible for the school to maintain an appropriate level of security if she spoke. This choice “was not a judgement on you and your accomplishments and ambitions,” the person informed her.

The university representative declared that the amount of hate speech was “unprecedented.”

“After careful consideration, we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement,” the USC stated in an official statement. Though disappointing, safety must take precedence over tradition. The best way to preserve safety and security on campus is the key concern here.

The commencement event on May 10th, which honours the class of over 19,000 graduates, is anticipated to bring in 65,000 visitors to USC’s downtown Los Angeles campus. USC has long been considered one of the most esteemed private institutions in California.

Several people and groups expressed their disapproval at the cancellation, claiming that Ms. Tabassum was not protected but rather censored.

“USC’s cowardly decision cannot be concealed by a false concern for’security,'” stated Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Washington.

Ms. Tabassum protested USC’s decision to prevent her from speaking at the ceremony by releasing a personal statement. “I am honoured to have been chosen as the USC Class of 2024 Valedictorian,” she declared. My unwavering devotion in human rights for all has exposed me to a campaign of racist hatred from anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices, even though this should have been a moment of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and students.

“It appears that the campaign to stop me from speaking to my classmates at commencement was successful since today, USC officials notified me that the university will no longer let me to speak at commencement because of purported security concerns. I am deeply sad that the University is caving in to a hate campaign aimed at silencing my voice, but I am also startled by this decision.

“Those who want to spread hate do not surprise me. That my own university, which served as my home for four years, has abandoned me surprises me.

The executive director of CAIR in Los Angeles, Ayloush, made the following comment in a statement: “USC cannot conceal its cowardly decision behind a false concern for’security.'” Asna is an exceptionally talented girl whose achievements in both her extracurricular and academic fields make her the perfect and first-ever recipient of this year’s valedictorian award. As an alternative to the unusual measure of cancelling a valedictorian’s speech, the institution can, should, and must make sure that graduation is held in a secure environment.

“The dishonest and slanderous assaults on Asna are nothing more than blatant examples of racism against Palestinians and Islamophobia, which have been turned into weapons against college students around the nation who stand up for Palestinian humanity and human rights.

It is imperative that the University of Southern California support Asna Tabassum. Asna’s status as valedictorian at USC has not changed, but her cowardly decision to cancel her speech empowers voices of hate and censorship, goes against USC’s duty to protect its students, and sends a terrible message to all students who dare to support Palestinian humanity as well as to Muslim students at USC.

“We demand that USC immediately change its direction, allow Asna to speak again, and treat every student equally and justly, beginning with her. We anticipate USC’s prompt reaction.

He cited the condemnation of Pomona College by CAIR last week for its coercive repression of student activists’ free expression during an on-campus sit-in for Palestine, and the administration’s subsequent call to safeguard students’ first amendment rights.

Jana Abulaban, a recent graduate of El Camino College, was unfairly singled out for criticism of the Israeli government’s ethnic cleansing, apartheid policies, and other violations of Palestinian human rights by CAIR last year.