Muslim students have emerged as key leaders and participants in the anti-war movement, reports the Washington Times (March 5).
Muslims have become particularly prominent in student anti-war protests since September 11, where they were active in protesting the war in Afghanistan. The Muslim Student Association (MSA) — active on 150 U.S. campuses — of the U.S. and Canada is the only religious group in the 15-member National Youth and Student Peace Coalition. The MSA has formed its own political action committees, such as at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as joining secular coalitions.
Julia Duin reports that some MSA members have been criticized for injecting anti-Israel protests in their anti-war activism. But on other campuses, Jewish and Muslim students have worked together on anti-war causes.