San Diego State University (SDSU) students plan to rally against Islamaphobia Monday afternoon after a Muslim student was reportedly battered, pushed and verbally assaulted in a parking lot on campus in a disturbing incident being investigated as a hate crime, the university confirmed.
According to the SDSU Police Department, the crime happened around 1:45 p.m. Thursday in Parking Lot E on the university’s campus. That parking structure is located near Zura Way at East Campus Drive, as seen on this map.
SDSU police detectives said a female student reported that unknown man pushed her and pulled her by her head scarf while making “hate-related comments and threats based on her ethnicity.” The exact comments made toward the students were not immediately released.
In light of the incident, students plan to meet at 12:30 p.m. at Hepner Hall on campus and march to the Student Union, where Hanif Mohebi, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) San Diego organization, plans to speak.
“We are calling on the SDSU and greater San Diego community to come out and rally against Islamphobia and bigotry in defense of Muslim students and all oppressed people," the event page reads. "This attack is a direct result of the growing anti-Muslim rhetoric that has become prevalent in the United States and we are calling to end this trend.”
Students are asking for their fellow students to create a more inclusive environment that promotes tolerance and acceptance of all cultures and religion.
Ahmed Buzeriba, who serves as the Muslim Student Association's (MSA) president on campus, said he felt sad when he first heard about the crime.
Buzeriba said Muslim students could be considered easy targets, especially if wearing traditional garb, such as a hijab.
Local
“It’s easier for people to tell they are Muslim. For that, I think they have more of a chance to get harassed,” he said.
Hanif Mohebi, with the Council of American Islamic Relations, said the crime was disrespectful.
"It's absolutely disrespect, to say the least, to the religion, to the person's commitment," Mohebi said.
Following the aggressive encounter, the suspect left the area on foot and was last seen going toward the direction of Parking Structure 6, which is across the street, also on East Campus Drive.
The student was not physically harmed in the incident, investigators confirmed.
According to SDSU detectives, the victim described the suspect as a white man in his 20s. He was approximately 5-foot-11 with a thin build and wore a grey sweater, blue jeans and white shoes. He had dark black hair and either hazel or green eyes. No suspect vehicle was seen.
Friday afternoon, police released a composite sketch of the suspect to help identify and catch him.
Mohebi said he has had contact with the victim in this campus attack and said he offered her CAIR’s assistance as she copes. For now, he said the student wants to avoid attention from the media.
Mohebi said one day prior to this attack, another female Muslim student at SDSU called CAIR with a complaint, indicating others had been acting different toward her since the terrorist attacks in Paris. She asked the organization for advice.
Meanwhile, the SDSU Police Department said detectives are actively investigating the parking structure attack. Lt. Mike O’Deane confirmed the case is being investigated as a hate crime.
Anyone with information should contact detectives at (619) 594-1783 and reference the case number, 15-1669, or provide tips via email to police@mail.sdsu.edu. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous may also call Crime Stoppers at (619) 235-8477.
SDSU said the campus prides itself on having a diverse student body and “community of people from all races, ethnicities, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds.”
“We affirm and reaffirm our commitment to providing a welcoming and supportive environment of opportunity for all students, faculty, staff and community members,” the university said in a media release Friday.
