The University of Southern California cancels its Muslim valedictorian’s commencement speech, citing safety concerns

What was supposed to be a time of celebration for Asna Tabassum – the University of Southern California’s 2024 valedictorian – has turned to disappointment after the university denied her the chance to give a speech at commencement over security concerns.

“Over the past several days, discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor,” USC Provost Andrew Guzman said in an online campus-wide letter. “The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.”

Tabassum, a first-generation South Asian-American Muslim, would have delivered her speech at the graduation ceremony on May 10.

It’s an honor Tabassum is no stranger to: She was named valedictorian of her high school in May 2020 but due to the pandemic, she never got to deliver a speech, she told CNN on Tuesday.

And it’s an accolade Tabassum calls “an honor of a lifetime,” one her parents consider “a report card,” “evidence of their tireless work, love, support and the values and the characteristics that they’ve instilled in me for 21 years.”