Posters on U. campus vandalized with anti-Islam messages. Image from dailyutahchronicle
Utah, U.S. (IINA) - Two days after a speaker gave a lecture about Islamophobia at the University of Utah, anti-Muslim graffiti was found on seven posters in Orson Spencer Hall advertising the talk, The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah Local News) reported.
"Islam means death to the West," was scrawled in black marker over the information about the event, titled, "America and Islam: Peace and Justice in an Age of ISIS and Islamophobia."
University police are investigating the vandalism, which was discovered recently on seven of nine posters in the building, University Spokeswoman Maria O'Mara said.
She noted that the building is open to the public and the vandal or vandals "could have been anyone." O'Mara added that the graffiti "does not reflect who we are."
"Frankly, we're very disheartened," she said. "It's contrary to the values of our institution."
The Hinckley Institute of Politics sponsored the April 6 lecture presented by Omid Safi, director of Duke University’s Islamic Studies Center, which is located in Orson Spencer Hall.
O'Mara said the event was "excellent" and well-attended.
From his side, Safi who is the author of the book "Progressive Muslims: On Justice, Gender, and Pluralism," which looks at the challenges faced by Muslims in Western society tweeted about the graffiti on Monday, saying, "This was for my talk at @UUtah last week: posters were vandalized with hate messages. I'll focus on Utahans' kindness."
The U.'s Muslim Students Association is hosting Islam Awareness Day on Friday, which was planned before the graffiti was discovered.
The event, which will include a discussion with Muslim leaders, will take place 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Saltair Room at the Union Building.
SM/IINA
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