(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 4/26/2026) – The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Muhlenberg College to promptly and transparently investigate an incident in which a group of white male students allegedly shouted anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim chants outside a student’s on-campus dorm room on the night of April 25, 2026, at the college’s Allentown campus.
The chants directly targeted the student who displays a Palestinian flag on their room window and reportedly included such vulgar phrases as “F**k Palestine”, “Rip that sh*t off”, “Burn that sh*t” multiple times.
CAIR-Philadelphia urged the college administration to take immediate steps to identify those responsible and hold them accountable in accordance with campus policies and applicable civil rights protections.
“This incident is deeply troubling, not only because of the hateful nature of the chants, but because it appears to be part of a broader pattern of targeting those support Palestinian human rights,” said Dr. Ahmet Tekelioglu, Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia. “The student who was reportedly targeted has previously experienced on-campus incidents, and this escalation raises serious concerns about their safety and the campus climate more broadly. Muhlenberg College must respond with the urgency and seriousness this situation demands.”
“If left unaddressed, incidents like this will permanently damage student and community trust in Muhlenberg College,” Dr. Tekelioglu added. “Students, particularly those who are Muslim, Palestinian, or otherwise marginalized, must be able to live and study without fear of harassment or intimidation. This requires not only accountability for those involved, but also structural responses that address the root causes of such behavior.”
CAIR-Philadelphia is calling on Muhlenberg College to:
- Conduct a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the incident;
- Hold accountable any individuals found responsible;
- Provide appropriate support and protections for the targeted student;
- Take meaningful, structural steps to ensure a safe and inclusive campus environment.
- Develop programming that directly addresses anti-Palestinian racism on college campuses.
CAIR-Philadelphia stands ready to support affected students and engage with Muhlenberg College to ensure that meaningful corrective action is taken.
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) is a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. CAIR-Philadelphia works to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Ahmet Tekelioglu, PhD, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director atekelioglu@cair.com; 617-401-5397
