USC canceling Muslim valedictorian's speech inflames tensions on campus
University of Southern California students said their hopes were dashed this week when the school canceled Muslim student Asna Tabassum 's commencement address.
LOS ANGELES — Some students at the University of Southern California said their sense of pride was dashed this week when the school canceled Muslim student Asna Tabassum's valedictorian speech out of security concerns.
They said the announcement of Tabassum's selection as valedictorian this month made them feel seen and heard.
“It showed me that our people have a voice on campus,” said USC student Abdullah Khlefat, who is Muslim.
Another student, named Layan, who asked that her last name not be used because she was afraid of being harassed for speaking out, said the announcement had brightened her outlook about the future.
“For a sliver of a moment, I had a sense of hope. I felt like one day I could be like Asna,” said Layan, a first-year student majoring in political science.
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