University of Ottawa Muslim Students Association (UOMSA): Statement on the Encampment at the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa Muslim Student Association [UOMSA] expresses profound disappointment in response to the statement released by the University of Ottawa and its inflammatory position on student activism amidst the sit-in, and consequent encampment occurring on Tabaret Lawn. The University has effectively set a precedent of allowing the interests of pro-genocidal stakeholders to prevail over the protection of human life and dignity. In our last meeting with the University, Mr. Frémont made a promise to maintain open channels with students impacted by Islamophobia and Anti-Palestinian Racism. There has been little follow-through as the administration fails to meet the request of INSAF to discuss concerns regarding the University’s investments.

We want to be clear.

On behalf of the Muslim community on campus, the UOMSA extends its unequivocal support for the students peacefully protesting and their constitutional right to do so as they call for complete divestment from all pro-genocidal corporations funded by the University of Ottawa.

Our position is not only consistent with our historical stance on the Palestinian cause and our preceding correspondences with the University since October 7th, but is also consistent with UOSU’s Position-14 regarding their solidarity with Palestine and their recent statement on upholding freedom of assembly and expression on campus. We refuse to fall victim to the fear-mongering tactics the administration is using to silence student voices and we refuse to be complicit as they refuse to divest from genocide-complicit organizations.

The University of Ottawa claims that as students, regardless of whether or not we are peacefully protesting, the “encampments and occupations will not be tolerated” as though this University does not stand on the traditional and stolen territory of the Omamiwinini Anishnabeg (Algonquin). This history of colonialism continues to shape the local indigenous community and as such, the University of Ottawa's claims for reconciliation and decolonization should be extended to the indigenous people of Palestine. This is not inherently possible whilst the University of Ottawa continues to indirectly fund Palestinian oppression whilst maintaining that its students are the occupiers in this situation.

To our administration: There is no reason to not divest. You cannot be committed to fighting APR if your investments are involved in the killing of your own students’ families. Your reluctance to divest is in stark contrast to the active expression by students in peaceful assemblies over the past seven months and most recently on Tabaret Lawn. You owe these students control over how their money will be used. We pay tuition to fund education, not genocide. Shame on you for once again, failing to listen to the needs of the students that comprise your body and for ignoring the well-being of the Muslim and Palestinian students on campus when Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism continue to rage rampantly across the University of Ottawa.

We urge the University’s administration to cease disregarding INSAF’s request for a meeting to discuss their demands for full disclosure of investments as well as divestment from Zionist corporations and academic institutions involved in the surveillance, occupation and murder of Palestinians.

Deliberately refusing to divest makes the University complicit in the killing of children, bombing of hospitals, destruction of universities, and targeting of paramedics and aid workers —effectively what the International Criminal Court has referred to as a plausible genocide. We urge the University to not escalate this and to avoid bringing force to a currently peaceful event. As we continue to advocate for justice and stand in solidarity with the oppressed, we reiterate our request for the University to engage in meaningful dialogue, take concrete steps towards divestment and to acknowledge the genocide happening in Palestine. We emphasize the urgency of the matter and the importance of responding to INSAF’s requests. The uOMSA will continue to be committed in the pursuit of justice and we will not waver in our efforts in such. We remind students to stay safe and to maintain Islamic character during their encampment and to refrain from violence, vandalism, etc.