Following the false gun scare within the John Hitt Library, the UCF Muslim Student Association held a meeting with Dr. Maribeth Ehasz, the Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Services, on Tuesday afternoon to voice their concerns on alleged religious discrimination.
A UCF text alert went out to students stating that a “possible Middle Eastern gunman/woman” was in the library. After investigation by the UCF Police Department, no person or weapon was found. While there are rumors that the accused student was a Muslim female praying in a stairwell with a Qu’ran, the incident is still under investigation.
UCF students, Muslim and non-Muslims alike, gathered in the Prayer Room to discuss what steps can be taken to ensure that future incidents such as this can be avoided.
“We’ve had many events where we have reached out to others,” said Maha Qureshi, the current MSA president. “We thought we did a lot but this incident shows we need to do more.”
Ehasz, expressed her own concerns to the events that have unfolded and ensured students that UCF was taking this very seriously.
“I understand it’s hard to deal with the fear that have been instilled within us for the past 15 years,” Ehasz said. “I never thought that there would be a problem with [students] praying in public but this is bigger than just praying.”
Ehasz discussed with students different ways to teach the student body more about the Islamic faith and create an even broader understanding on accepting all faiths.
Rasha Mubarak, regional coordinator for the Council on American-Islamic Relations and UCF alumna, stressed the importance of incorporating acceptance within the UCF student body.
“We need to create more of a dialogue,” Mubarak said. “Islamophobia is at its highest peak and there is a need for a campaign.”
Other students voiced their agreement, saying that with the intake of more international students and the opening of the Global UCF building, the need to create a bridge of acceptance with students of all backgrounds is a priority.
Qureshi expressed her gratitude on behalf of the MSA for the support the UCF faculty has shown towards those who have been affected.
“UCF has never been insensitive to the MSA,” said Qureshi. “Thank you.”
The UCF Counseling and Psychological Services is offering emergency services to student who may have been traumatized by the events and aftermath of Tuesday afternoon. Students are urged to call or stop by their center to seek support during this time.
