Muslim Advocacy Group Files Civil Rights Complaint Against University of Georgia, Says Reuters

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON – The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced on Tuesday that it has filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of several students at the University of Georgia. The complaint alleges that these students have experienced differential treatment based on their Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim identities.

The allegations claim that the University of Georgia’s actions violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, or national origin among recipients of federal funds. The complaint has been submitted to the U.S. Education Department, calling for a federal investigation into the university’s conduct.

CAIR stated that pro-Palestinian students have faced anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic harassment since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The organization contends that the university has not taken adequate measures to prevent such harassment or to address its repercussions.

In response, the University of Georgia emphasized its commitment to free speech and its policies against discrimination based on race or religion. The university asserts that it enforces its rules and holds individuals accountable for policy violations.

Across the U.S., including on college campuses, there have been numerous protests against American support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, with some demonstrations escalating into violence. These protests have been accompanied by instances of both antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric. Human rights advocates have raised alarms about the increasing prevalence of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiment.

The ongoing violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensified on October 7, when Hamas conducted an attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the seizure of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. In retaliation, Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip have reportedly led to over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, displacing nearly the entire population of 2.3 million and resulting in a humanitarian crisis amidst allegations of genocide at the World Court, which Israel denies.