Liberal George Washington University plastered with anti-Muslim posters

The liberal campus image of George Washington University here received a blow when anti-Muslim posters were found plastered on the walls of the varsity.

Washington, Oct 10 : The 'liberal campus' image of George Washington University here received a blow when anti-Muslim posters were found plastered on the walls of the varsity.

One poster carried the photo of an Arab, describing him as a "typical Muslim" who wears a "suicide vest," carries a "hidden AK-47" and bears a "peg-leg for smuggling children and heroin."

However, the campus police removed the posters and fliers as soon as they came to know about the incident on Monday, while student bodies met to deplore the act.

The Daily Times quoted media reports as telling that the posters have upset the student body, which is hosting an "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" later this month.

Some students thought the posters might be a joke at the expense of the conservatives, as fine print at the bottom of one said: "Brought to you by Students for Conservativo-Fascism Awareness" - and a postscript recommending a BBC video on the politics of fear.

"I was just really shocked that this sort of hatred exists on our campus. You never think this would come so close to home, from people you're in classes with. It's scary," a New York Muslim student, Najah El Bash, a leader of the conservative Muslim Students Association, was quoted as saying.

Criticising the act, University President Steven Knapp said in a statement, "There is no place for expressions of hatred on our campus."

Calling the fliers reprehensible, Knapp said that students of different faiths would be gathering this week for a community meal with Muslims during Ramazan.

"This event speaks of our university's commitment to global cultural understanding and respect," he added.

Meanwhile, the Young America's Foundation (YAF), a group of the university's conservative students, whose name appeared under the fliers, denied any involvement in the incident.

YAF president Sergio Gor said he was horrified when he heard about the fliers.

"We did not put up those posters... Someone took our name and used it. It was hateful. We're a conservative group on campus. We promote liberty and freedom, not bigotry and hatred," Gor said.

ANI