Interview with Professor KD Thompson, Spring 2026
As part of our ongoing commitment to highlighting the diverse experiences and organizational efforts within our campus community, the Middle East Studies Program is pleased to feature an interview with Professor KD Thompson (Department of Religious Studies). This conversation explores the origins and vital work of the UW Muslim and Muslim-Allied Faculty and Staff group—a collective established during a period of significant campus concern to provide visible support, advocacy, and a sense of belonging for Muslim faculty, staff, and students. Through this spotlight, we delve into the group’s mission, their collaborative efforts with student organizations, and the importance of fostering a resilient, inclusive environment at UW–Madison.
MESP: To start, when, why, and how was the UW Muslim and Muslim-Allied Faculty and Staff group created? What motivated you personally to take on a leadership or active role within it?
KD Thompson: The group came together in November 2023, during a moment when many of us were deeply concerned about how Muslim students—and others on campus who care about Palestine—were being treated. Their voices were often suppressed or misrepresented, and it became clear that faculty and staff needed to organize to offer visible support, advocacy, and care. What began as a broad gathering of concerned colleagues quickly developed into a smaller core of people with administrative, activist, social media, and community-organizing experience who naturally stepped into leadership roles.
My own motivation came from wanting to ensure that Muslim students and colleagues felt protected, accompanied, and understood during a time of heightened scrutiny and Islamophobia. I also felt a responsibility to help build a space where Muslim faculty and staff could connect, share resources, and act collectively when needed.
MESP: How would you describe the group’s mission or shared purpose?
KD Thompson: We don’t have a formal mission statement, but our shared purpose is clear: to build community among Muslims on campus and to support one another in navigating the pressures that come with being visibly or culturally Muslim in the United States. Many of us come from, or remain closely connected to, communities outside the U.S., and we feel the effects of Islamophobia in both subtle and overt ways. We are also acutely aware of how easily Muslims and our allies can be accused of antisemitism when we speak out in support of Palestinian human rights. The group gives us a place to process these dynamics, support one another, and act collectively when needed.
MESP: Can you share some of the important initiatives or ideas that the group has advanced on campus?
KD Thompson: We’ve worked on several fronts. We host monthly community lunches, which have become a consistent space for connection and mutual support. We organize an annual Ramadan iftar that brings together Muslim faculty, staff, students, and campus partners (see pictures here). We also share timely information about issues affecting Muslim communities—
Islamophobia, events in Palestine, and, more recently, ICE actions impacting Muslim immigrants.
We’ve also supported student activism. During the May 2024 encampment for Palestine, we provided food for students, and some of our members assisted student leaders in negotiations with campus administrators. We also collaborate closely with the Muslim Students Association, sponsoring their annual iftar and supporting their fundraising efforts.
Another significant effort involved advocacy around free speech. Several of us petitioned Chancellor Mnookin to adopt a policy ensuring that critiques of the state of Israel would not be conflated with antisemitism. We were disappointed when she declined and later called for police force at the encampment. That decision broke trust and resulted in physical harm to at least two of our members who were present that day.
MESP: Where on campus do you see the most significant progress being made, and where are the areas that still feel marginalized?
KD Thompson: We’ve seen meaningful progress in the sense of community among Muslim faculty, staff, and students. Our gatherings and the iftars hosted by the MSA and the Office of Interfaith Dialogue have helped create spaces where Muslims feel seen.
At the same time, significant challenges remain. The administration’s suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine is one example of how pro-Palestinian activism continues to be punished, disproportionately affecting Muslim students. The use of force during the 2024 encampment further strained trust. We would also welcome institutional financial support for our lunches and iftars—support that is increasingly difficult to secure in a national climate where DEI initiatives are being eroded.
MESP: How can “allied” faculty members effectively support their Muslim colleagues without overstepping?
KD Thompson: Most of our allied participants are people who were raised in Muslim communities but no longer identify as religiously Muslim, or people with close personal ties to Muslims. Their support has been thoughtful and grounded in relationship, and overstepping hasn’t been an issue. What matters most is that allies listen, stay informed, and follow the lead of those most directly affected.
MESP: Is there anything else about the Muslim community at UW–Madison that is vital for people to understand?
KD Thompson: One thing that feels important to name is that the Muslim community on campus is incredibly diverse—racially, ethnically, politically, and in terms of religious practice. What unites us is a shared experience of navigating a campus and national climate where Islamophobia is still very present. Many of us carry transnational ties, and events happening far beyond Madison shape our daily lives here. Understanding that broader context is essential for understanding both our vulnerabilities and our resilience.
These insights shared by KD Thompson underscore the profound importance of community-led advocacy and the complex, transnational identities that shape the Muslim experience at UW–Madison. As we look toward the future, the Middle East Studies Program remains dedicated to providing a platform for these essential dialogues and supporting initiatives that champion free speech, cultural understanding, and the safety of all our community members. We invite our readers to reflect on these perspectives and join us in the continued work of building a campus climate rooted in mutual respect and informed solidarity.
Interview conducted and written by Kashish Hoondlani, MESP Project Assistant.
Click here for an fascinating interview with community member Janet Van Vleck about her experiences living in Cairo in the 1960s and her recent donation of books.
