Abdi Muktar stood on the south end of Ohio Stadium on Sunday afternoon, college diploma in hand, feeling both elated and reflective.
Muktar began his time at Ohio State University as a freshman in the fall of 2019. A few months laterhe returned home to his childhood bedroom learning remotely as students were forced to leave campus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Campus News: One dead at Ohio State University graduation after stadium collapse
He returned to a very different campus the following fall. Socially distanced classes. Weekly COVID testing. Football games without fans.
But five years later, Muktar said he’s grateful he made it.
“It was incredibly difficult… I’m glad it’s over and I have this final chapter,” said Muktar, who majored in political science.
When a crisis began Muktar’s college career, a different conflict ended it, a conflict that gave him more respite. Muktar, who is Somali and Muslim, wore a keffiyeh stole around his neck “in support of my Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine,” he said.
“I can’t imagine what the college students there are feeling,” Muktar said. “The magnitude of this event is a shame when thousands of children die every day. Despite the moment and how elated I am, it is also tainted.”
Graduation ceremonies take place amid pro-Palestine protests on campus
Muktar was among dozens of Ohio State graduates on Sunday who visibly showed support for Palestine during graduation. Many wore traditional black and white keffiyehs around their necks. Others brought flags – as stoles or as flags they waved in the stadium.
As graduation ceremonies across the country take place this weekend, amid ongoing campus protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and universities to divest from Israel, some universities have had to deal with protests during the ceremonies themselves.
Dozens of students walked out of Indiana University’s graduation on Saturday in protest, heading to a green space on campus where students had been demonstrating for weeks. Pro-Palestinian supporters briefly disrupted the University of Michigan ceremony. Protesters met by state police unfurled Palestinian flags in the hallways during the commencement speaker’s speech.
University education: Ohio State students and faculty speak out in favor of Gaza and against the university’s response to the protests
Melissa Shivers, senior vice president for student life at Ohio State, reminded attendees during her remarks before the graduates arrived: “Today is a day to focus on and celebrate our graduates. Disruptions will not be tolerated.”
Ohio State students, however, showed their support in quieter ways.
Firas Abdullatif had draped a large keffiyeh over his shoulders, which peeked out from under his new graduation hood. As he walked across the graduation stage to receive his doctorate in philosophy, he said he felt happy to be there.
Abdullatif, originally from Gaza, said he wore his keffiyeh to represent his people and culture.
“It’s a happy time for me, but not as happy at home,” Abdullatif said. “I have hope for the future, for better days. With this degree, perhaps I can be a source for a better future.”
Serena Khaled also wore a keffiyeh to graduation with a red stole emblazoned with the Lebanese and Palestinian flags.
“I’m Lebanese, but I support Palestine. This is the best way to show this support to so many people here,” she said.
Khaled, who plans to attend medical school at Ohio State University this fall, said he wasn’t afraid to wear the keffiyeh.
“I’m really proud to do this,” she said. “I just wish I could do more to help in practice.”
Commencement speaker Christopher Pan: “World peace begins with inner peace”
Commencement speaker, Christopher PanOhio State alumnus and social entrepreneur, also shared some subtle comments about the Israel-Hamas war.
Pan originally planned to address the war in Gaza, according to a draft of his speech he shared on social media for feedback. But on Sunday, Pan did not explicitly mention Gaza, Israel or Palestine. Instead, he noted that after holding multicultural events in recent months, she said we must “end the suffering on both sides.”
“What I learned is that there is a lot of pain and trauma in both communities. Pain causes hatred and violence. Hurt people hurt people. Healed people help other people,” he said. “When we heal ourselves, we heal the world. World peace begins with inner peace.”
Pan also led the crowd through two brief musical numbers – “What’s Going On?” by the 4 Non Blondes and “This Little Light of Mine” – and defended how he thinks Bitcoin is “a very misunderstood asset class”, which was met with groans from the audience (he promised everyone in attendance a free bracelet of his company, MyIntent, “as an apology for hearing me talk about Bitcoin.”).
Death at Ohio Stadium surprises graduation attendees
Many in attendance also faced reports that someone died after falling from Ohio Stadium at the start of the ceremony. Ohio State spokesman Ben Johnson confirmed the death but had no additional details to share Sunday afternoon.
The scene of the crash was surrounded by lots of yellow tape and concerned authorities, according to Dispatch photographer Doral Chenoweth, who was at the scene.
“No way – this is unbelievable,” said one eyewitness. The witness said he saw a single person fall as the final graduates passed through that area and entered the stadium through the tunnel used by football players during OSU home games.
Police tape was still up and law enforcement was present as graduates exited the stadium to meet their loved ones outside.
Sheridan Hendrix is a higher education reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. She signs up for Extra Credit, her educational newsletter, here.
shendrix@dispatch.com
@sheridan120
This article originally appeared in The Columbus Dispatch: Death at Ohio State at graduation marks day of joy and solidarity with Palestine
