Muslim Student Association calls for unbiased communications on Israel-Gaza war
Photo Courtesy of Muslim Student Association Twitter
In an email addressed to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Chancellor Patricia Charlton, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) at the University of Nevada, Reno shared their concerns of a statement that Charlton released on Friday regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Over the weekend, armed Palestinian group Hamas launched an attack on Israel’s fortified separation fence along the Gaza border and triggered an ongoing war between Israel and Hamas controlled Gaza.
In the statement, Charlton expresses “sincere condolences for the families devastated by the terrorist attacks led by the Hamas.”
In her statement, Charton fails to mention Palestinians who are dying in Israel’s retaliation.
“The statement, as it stands, has raised concerns within the Muslim and Palestinian communities and has been perceived as biased and discriminatory towards a large group of students,” wrote the MSA.
Over a million Palestinians have been affected by this war, and thousands have died.
According to an article published by Aljazeera, at least 1,300 people were killed in the attack on Israel, while at least 1,799 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
The MSA acknowledged the complexity of the conflict, but urged that communications reflect a commitment to fairness and inclusivity.
“Your leadership and the words stated are instrumental in ensuring that our institution remains a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space for everyone,” they wrote.
The full statement can be read below:
Dear Chancellor Charlton,
We respect your acknowledgment of the recent tragic events relating to the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. We appreciate your commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment across NSHE. We understand the challenges in addressing such a sensitive issue.
However, we couldn't help but feel concerned about the wording in your recent communications. While we fully respect the need to condemn acts of violence and ensure the safety of the community, we also believe it is crucial to maintain a balanced and unbiased stance, especially in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The statement, as it stands, has raised concerns within the Muslim and Palestinian communities and has been perceived as biased and discriminatory towards a large group of students. We believe it is essential for our institutions to be fair and inclusive to all students, irrespective of their backgrounds or affiliations.
The attack on innocent civilians, no matter by which side, is something that must be condemned and denounced. We understand your acknowledgement of the injustices that occurred against the Israeli civilians. But without any condemnation of the killing of the Palestinian kids, women, and elderly civilians, this issue ends up becoming partisan and divisive. We do not condone the attacks of Hamas on innocent people, and we never will, but we must also put a lens on the sufferings of the people of Palestine. As this letter is being written, the ongoing conflict has displaced over 423,000 Palestinians while still being deprived from water, food, electricity, or medical aid, an action taken by Israel on October 9th, 2023, which amounts to a war crime according to U.N. Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. All that we are asking for is the acknowledgement of our fellow humans in Palestine who are also suffering from this ongoing conflict.
We understand the complexity of the situation and the need to address safety concerns, but it is crucial that your communications reflect a commitment to fairness and inclusivity. This is to ensure that a biased and discriminatory atmosphere is not supported.
We are more than willing to engage in a constructive dialogue to explore ways we can refine our communications to better reflect our commitment to mutual respect and support for all members of the NSHE community. Your leadership and the words stated are instrumental in ensuring that our institution remains a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space for everyone.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Muslim Student Association at the University of Nevada, Reno
