A woman is strolling down the streets of San Francisco. The hijab wrapped around her head makes her stand out among the crowds. As she approaches her favorite bakery, her headscarf is pulled from her head and the word “ISIS” is shouted at her.
Hate crimes happen everywhere, everyday, and this past week at Carlmont High School has been dedicated to taking a stand against hate crimes and showing love instead. By spreading the love to fellow students and Muslims all around the world, Carlmont students took a stand against Islamophobia.
Carlmont associated student body, or ASB member Noor Dahbour said, “I know what it’s like to be targeted because of my religion, and I knew that I couldn’t be the only person on this campus who felt like that. That’s why this week is important. [It informs] students at our school. Carlmont should be a safe space where everyone feels welcome in our community.”
Dahbour, along with senior Sage Shamsai, junior Ashley Wen and 7 other ASB service council members, independently got together outside of school to organize special activities for the week. Through a lot of planning and thought, they created a week filled with hands-on projects that gave students a chance to show their support for Muslims.
Wen said, “Monday was hand-print mural day, which was created to show that everyone is in this together, even though our hand prints may differ. Tuesday we had whiteboard statements at lunch for people to fill in and have the opportunity to share their opinions on why they love Muslim people. Wednesday, students can show their support by taking a white ribbon, which symbolizes peace. Thursday and Friday were all about taking action and taking a stand against Islamophobia.”
“Carlmont Spreads Love” week was a collaboration between Carlmont’s Muslim Fellowship Club at ASB.
President of the Muslim Fellowship Club Naser Abdelrahman said, “I hope this week has inspired students to begin to have a conversation about this pressing issue in our world today. I am a Muslim and I’m not ashamed of that; I’m very proud of it. It’s difficult for people to understand the hate crimes some face and that’s why we brought this issue up this week. It’s so that people can ask questions and eliminate misunderstandings. The real problems come from misunderstandings.”
Each day this week, many students actively participated in lunchtime activities in the quad.
Shamsai said, “Our main goal was to make it clear that just because a small minority of Muslim people participate in acts of terrorism does not make all Muslims bad people. Muslims are people, and people deserve to be treated with respect. Hopefully this week informed people of Islamophobia and gave those who may feel mistreated at our school a little comfort.”
