“He’s had to rise to the occasion both in terms of explaining to the larger public what [Muslim] beliefs are as well as ministering to the Muslim community on campus,” said Zayed M. Yasin ’02, a former HIS president. “It’s a very difficult and stressful time and he’s been handling it phenomenonally.”

Despite national leaders’ words of support and admonition against targeting Muslims, Tuesday’s events sparked widespread violence and prejudice against those of South Asian descent.

In Texas, police are investigating a firebombing attack at a mosque. In Long Island, a Pakistani owned shop was burned in an alleged arson attack. And across the country, harrassment of Muslim Americans has intensified.

As an Arab student born in Bangladesh and a visible leader of the Islamic community, Shah Mohammed said he knew he would face suspicion and hostility.

“The backlash that at that time I thought was going to happen has already happened,” Shah Mohammed said.

Shah Mohammed has urged members of the Islamic society to take precautions against personal attacks, even though he said he has faith in the “reasonableness” of the Harvard community. Nevertheless, he has asked the Harvard University Police Department to keep watch over the basement in Canaday--where Islamic students meet and pray--and advised Muslim students not to walk alone at night.

But the tragedy truly hit home a few days ago, when Shah Mohammed received his first hatemail.