CAIR Michigan files federal complaint against U-M for alleged bias

The Council on American-Islamic Relations – Michigan (CAIR-MI) has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, requesting an investigation into the University of Michigan’s handling of Islamophobia on campus.

The complaint comes after leaked audio of U-M President Santa Ono where he seems to cite federal pressure to focus on antisemitism over Islamophobia.

CAIR-MI’s Zaynah Jadallah says the university has not adequately supported Muslim and Arab students.

“We have contacted the University of Michigan multiple times to have better treatment for the students, but the president didn’t show any progress in protecting his students,” Jadallah said.

In response, U-M’s Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Colleen Mastony told WDET:

“The University of Michigan is steadfastly committed to ensuring our community remains a safe and supportive environment, where all students — regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or other identities — have the opportunity to learn and thrive. President Santa J. Ono has spoken out repeatedly against antisemitism and Islamophobia, and he will continue to do so, as any form of discrimination or hate is an affront to our community.”

Over the past year, students across the U.S. have raised concerns for their safety amid ongoing campus protests about the war in Gaza. The student protesters are calling for universities to separate themselves from companies advancing Israel’s military efforts in the region, as the Israeli military has killed more than 4,000 Palestinians and more than 2,000 people in Lebanon since Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 Israeli civilians on Oct. 7.

Police have arrested more than 3,000 pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses nationwide since detainments at Columbia on April 18 — including on the campuses of Wayne State and University of Michigan.

Interactive map: Where protesters on US campuses have been arrested or detained

Michigan Advance reports that at least one person was arrested this week during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in U-M’s Diag, where a memorial event hosted by Jewish students commemorating the Oct. 7 attack was being held. After police arrested the individual, protesters surrounded the police officers and their patrol car, obstructing their movement, said U-M’s Deputy Chief of Police Melissa Overton. She says the individual who was arrested has since been released, and the incident will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office for review.

The Associated Press and WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.