Concern and Support for UMBC’s Muslim Community

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 14:40:47 -0500

Dear UMBC Community,

We are deeply saddened and concerned to learn about a reported hate-bias crime in The Commons Tuesday night. A UMBC student reported that she was approached by an unknown male who attempted to pull off her hijab, the traditional headscarf worn by some Muslim women.

Acts such as this have no place at UMBC. Hate and bias are counter to UMBC values, especially our community’s deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and welcoming people of all backgrounds.

UMBC Police are investigating, and the Division of Student Affairs and Office of Equity and Inclusion have reached out to the student, as well as other students impacted, including the Muslim Student Association, Student Government Association (SGA), and the Graduate Student Association (GSA).

The UMBC community is invited to a community care space for support and dialogue on Monday, November 22, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being at The Center for Well-Being, and is a collaboration between Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging (i3b); the Muslim Student Association; SGA; and GSA. Counselors from Retriever Integrated Health will be on-site to provide additional support as needed. Imam Yaseen Shaikh from The Islamic Society of Baltimore and Rabbi Jeremy Fierstein, chair of the UMBC Religious Council, will also be on-site to provide additional support as needed. The front patio of The Center for Well-Being will be used as a back-up location if needed to accommodate COVID-19 capacity expectations.

Students in need of support can contact i3b at i3b@umbc.edu. Faculty and staff can access support through the Employee Assistance Program.

We are committed to offering a safe and inclusive campus environment where community members and visitors of all backgrounds feel that they belong.

Community members, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni, can always report concerns using this confidential reporting form. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555.

It is essential that we continue to work together in building a caring, equitable, and inclusive community. Thank you for your commitment to inclusive excellence at UMBC.

President Freeman Hrabowski
Provost Philip Rous
Mehrshad Devin, President, Student Government Association
Orianne Smith, President, Faculty Senate
Joel Tyson, President, Graduate Student Association
Melody Wright, M.A. '21, President, Non-Exempt Staff Senate
Jess Wyatt, President, Professional Staff Senate