Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Korans found in Texas university toilet in suspected hate crime

'It's something that we do not expect to happen, especially at this campus,' says Muslim student 

Will Worley
Friday 14 April 2017 17:25 EDT
Several editions of the Islamic Holy Book were found in a toilet
Several editions of the Islamic Holy Book were found in a toilet (Shah Marai/AFP/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Police have launched an investigation after several editions of the Koran were found in toilets on a university campus.

The holy books were discovered by a student using the bathroom facilities in the student union at the University of Texas at Dallas.

The school's authorities said the incident was “shocking” and “unusual” and that the university prided itself on its diversity and inclusivity.

Woman records furious Islamophobic rant in a London shop

The news was broken by the campus newspaper, which is how many students found out about the incident.

"It's definitely saddening and a little disturbing as well," Mohammad Syed, president of the university’s Muslim Association, told NBC 5. "It's something that we do not expect to happen, especially at this campus."

He added: "UT Dallas is a very welcoming environment and I have nothing but good things to say about it."

The student who discovered the books, Jonathan Schuler, said he was “appalled”.

"It made a lot of the hate I had been hearing and seeing on national news real, and very present," Mr Schuler said.

Campus police are reviewing surveillance video from the day but "don't have too many leads”, according to Chief Larry Zacharias, the Texas Tribune reported.

But he said it appeared to be a “one-time, stupid incident”, a feeling reportedly mirrored by many students on campus.

Concerns have been expressed over a rising number of hate crimes in the US since Donald Trump won the election.

Mr Trump's campaign was criticised for being Islamophobic and researchers said his victory had "energised" the far right.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in