An Arab-Muslim student at Stanford University, Abdulwahab Omira, has released a statement following a hit-and-run incident that authorities are treating as a hate crime. Omira, who was struck by a car on Friday afternoon, expressed his belief in the importance of spreading love, kindness, and compassion in a world that is increasingly succumbing to hatred and prejudice. He described the driver, whom he identified as a white male in his mid-20s, with short dirty-blond hair and a short beard, wearing a gray shirt and round framed eyeglasses, as someone who had previously shown animosity towards Muslims.

Omira was walking to class when he was intentionally struck by a black Toyota 4Runner. The incident was classified as a hate crime by the California Highway Patrol, according to a statement from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. Omira criticized Stanford University for taking too long to issue a warning to the community and for showing insufficient concern for his well-being and the circumstances of the incident. After multiple attempts to contact the administration, he finally received a personal response.

Dee Mostofi, assistant vice president of external communications for Stanford University, stated that the campus authorities issued the notice as soon as they had enough information from the highway patrol. Omira acknowledged that the emotional scars and feeling of being targeted due to his heritage and beliefs will likely linger. However, he expressed hope that his experience would inspire empathy, change, and a society where love overpowers hate, understanding douses ignorance, and compassion unites people.

Stanford President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez condemned the hit-and-run in a campus statement, stating that violence on campus is unacceptable and hate-based violence is morally reprehensible. The Council on American-Islamic Relations San Francisco Bay Area also released a statement emphasizing the urgent need to address Islamophobia and hatred in communities.

In addition to Omira's case, there have been at least five other potential hate crime incidents reported at Stanford University since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. These incidents include acts of aggression against Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian students, such as shoving, spitting, damaging personal belongings, and removing a mezuza from a Jewish student's residence.

The recent surge in hate crimes at Stanford University reflects a broader trend of increasing tensions in the US following the Hamas terror attacks and intense Israeli bombardment of Gaza. This includes the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy in Chicago, which is being investigated as a hate crime by the Department of Justice. Muslim and Arab groups across the country have reported a rise in vandalism, threats, and harassment.

The hit-and-run incident involving Abdulwahab Omira is part of a disturbing pattern of hate and violence, highlighting the urgent need to address the growing Islamophobia and hatred in society.