Local civil rights and interfaith organizations are condemning anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian graffiti that was discovered today at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, calling the incident harmful to students and urging accountability and community unity.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Montgomery County Police are investigating after administrators discovered graffiti on a school building Friday morning containing explicit anti Muslim and anti Palestinian language alongside a Star of David symbol. School officials said the graffiti was immediately covered, a work order was submitted for permanent removal, and an active police investigation is underway. Counselors and mental health staff have also been made available to support students.
In a statement issued Friday, Council on American-Islamic Relations Maryland and the Montgomery County Muslim Council strongly condemned the graffiti, describing it as Islamophobic, violent, and dehumanizing. The organizations said the language created an unsafe and hostile environment for Muslim students and the broader school community, particularly given heightened global tensions.
Zainab Chaudry, Maryland director of CAIR, said the messages went beyond vandalism and promoted hate and violence, which she said should never be tolerated in schools or communities. CAIR said it is in contact with the school superintendent and local police and urged a full investigation, accountability for those responsible, and immediate steps to protect affected students.
Asif Husain, president of the Montgomery County Muslim Council, said schools must remain places of learning and safety, adding that no child should feel intimidated or unsafe because of their faith or identity. The organizations expressed concern that students may be targeted or traumatized by hateful rhetoric connected to global conflicts.
CAIR Maryland said it is offering support to impacted students, families, and educators, including civil rights resources, assistance with reporting and advocacy, referrals to counseling services, and educational workshops focused on addressing Islamophobia, bias, and hate incidents. The organization also called on MCPS to communicate transparently with families, provide trauma informed support, and reaffirm a zero tolerance stance toward hate, threats, and intimidation.
The incident also drew condemnation from Jewish community leaders. Guila Franklin Siegel, chief operating officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, issued a statement unequivocally denouncing the graffiti. She said any violence or threats of violence against Muslims, Palestinians, Arabs, or any community are wrong and have no place in Montgomery County.
Siegel emphasized the council’s longstanding partnerships with Muslim leaders and organizations and said the incident would not deter ongoing efforts to build inclusive communities across the region. She added that ensuring every child feels safe and supported at school, regardless of race, ethnicity, or faith, remains central to that work.
Both Muslim and Jewish organizations called on community members to reject division and stand together against Islamophobia, antisemitism, racism, and all forms of bigotry as the investigation continues.
