Indian Americans Express Support for Asna Tabassum, Indian Muslim USC Denied Valedictorian Speech over Palestine Views
Washington, DC (April 18, 2023) – Indian Americans expressed concern and outrage at the University of Southern California administration’s decision to cancel Indian American Muslim biomedical engineering student Asna Tabassum’s planned valedictorian speech. After Tabassum received violent threats from pro-Israel critics for speaking out against Israel’s genocide of Gaza, USC Provost Andrew Guzman cancelled her planned remarks, citing security concerns.
“The denial of Asna Tabassum’s right to address her fellow students and to publicly celebrate her accomplishments is nothing short of a travesty,” said IAMC Executive director Rasheed Ahmed. “Not only is it an affront to Tabassum’s hard work, it is a cowardly capitulation to the online trolls who want to silence all voices standing up for the rights of the people of Palestine.”
Tabassum herself commented, “I am honored to have been selected as USC Class of 2024 Valedictorian. Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all.”
In addition to achieving superlative marks in school, Tabassum has dedicated much of her free time to global health care and relief efforts.
“Tabassum remarkable feats in and outside of the academy have been denied,” said IAMC President Mohammad Jawad. “That her efforts in school and in the broader humanitarian realm will go unrecognized because of a few strident anti-Palestinian voices is patently unacceptable.”
Tabassum added in her statement, “I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the University is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice. I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university—my home for four years—has abandoned me.”
“Indian American must stand together in calling for the immediate reinstatement of Tabassum as USC Valedictorian speaker of 2024,” added IAMC’s Ahmed. “The threats of anti-Palestine voices must not lead to denying any student their due recognition.”
