The Daily Illini: CAIR designates UI as ‘Hostile Campus’ for handling of pro-Palestine advocacy
A protestor holds a Palestine flag during a rally on March 24. | Alyssa Shih
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has designated the University as a “hostile campus” due to its handling of pro-Palestine advocacy, according to a Thursday press release.
CAIR cited other civil liberties organizations’ condemnations, such as the ACLU of Illinois’ warning in January to campus administrators, as evidence for its designation of the University.
“Despite public claims of inclusion, UIUC has subjected Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and allied students to surveillance, arrests, felony charges, and policy crackdowns,” the press release read.
Nine individuals involved with last April’s encampment on the Main Quad are facing charges related to the protest, with eight being the felony mob action charge. Three of those facing charges are University students. The Daily Illini cannot substantiate claims of individual surveillance, but the University’s creation of the I-Team has led to an increased administrative presence at protests and rallies.
According to The Associated Press, CAIR is “the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S.” Its goal as an organization is to “enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims,” according to its website.
The organization has previously come under scrutiny for comments made by National Executive Director Nihad Awad about Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Because of these statements, CAIR’s name was removed from a list of organizations with which the Biden-Harris administration announced a commitment to fight antisemitism in December 2023.
The “hostile campus” designation has been applied to more than 20 universities in the United States. These campuses include the University of Chicago, Columbia University and Big Ten neighbors Northwestern University and Indiana University.
“UIUC has cultivated a dangerous climate for students who support justice for Palestine,” said Corey Saylor, CAIR’s Research and Advocacy Director, as part of the press release. “This is not inclusion, it’s institutionalized Islamophobia.”
The CU Muslim Action Committee released a statement in response to CAIR’s new classification.
“In light of this designation, CU MAC hopes the university will reassess how it views its anti-genocide students, faculty, and community as well as addressing the growing concerns regarding its complicity in genocide,” the statement said.
Robin Kaler, associate chancellor for strategic communications and marketing, addressed the new designation in an email to The Daily Illini.
“We continue to work to make Illinois a place where all people are valued and welcomed,” Kaler wrote. “We recognize that support systems are critical to student success, and we continue to invest in resources for all students to promote safety, well-being, inclusiveness and a sense of community.”