Southern Methodist University cancels ‘Unapologetically Muslim’ student conference– www.thecollegefix.com

A student conference organized by CAIR-Texas to be held at Southern Methodist University has been canceled, with campus officials citing a proclamation from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “terrorist” organizations.

The “Unapologetically Muslim: Youth in Action” conference for high school and college students had been slated for Sept. 19 at the Dallas-based campus.

In a statement provided to local media, a campus spokesperson said “SMU welcomes a wide range of organizations and perspectives to campus as part of our commitment to open inquiry and the free exchange of ideas.”

However, after “reviewing plans for an upcoming unaffiliated youth leadership symposium advertised to take place at SMU, the University has determined that permitting the event to take place on campus, given the State of Texas’ current designation of the symposium’s organizer, is inconsistent with our mission and related University policies. As a result, the event will not take place on campus,” the statement read.

The event was slated to include “interactive sessions,” “mock testimony,” and “power mapping,” according to an online flier. Power mapping is a community organizing tool used to influence political leaders by pressuring the people and systems around them.

“Designed for high school students and rising college freshmen and sophomores, MYLS brings together young Muslims from across Texas for a full day focused on leadership and civic engagement,” CAIR-Texas’ website states.