Two new letters of Buddhist-community support for Mohsen Mahdawi — a former president of Columbia University’s Buddhist Association and student activist who has been critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza — have been issued in response to his detention by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on April 14. (See our previous coverage.)
The first gathers the names of “one hundred and thirty five Buddhist teachers, practitioners, and supporters of human rights,” mainly of the Zen tradition, all demanding the release of Mahdawi “and other unlawfully detained individuals.” The second is a “letter of testimony” on Mahdawi’s behalf written by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, president of the Buddhist Association of the United States. These follow here.
“Demand for Immediate Release of Mohsen Mahdawi and Other Unlawfully Detained Individuals”
April 18, 2025
We, the undersigned one hundred and thirty five Buddhist teachers, practitioners, and supporters of human rights, write with profound alarm regarding the unjust detention of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student, permanent U.S. resident for ten years, and former president of the Columbia University Buddhist Association.
On April 14, 2025, Mohsen Mahdawi arrived at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Vermont for what should have been a culminating moment in his decade-long journey toward American citizenship. Instead, he was handcuffed and taken away by ICE agents who refused to disclose his destination or legal status—a traumatic violation of dignity that no human being should endure.
The circumstances of Mohsen’s detention reveal a disturbing pattern of human rights abuses:
1. **Violation of Due Process**: As a legal permanent resident since 2015 with no criminal charges, Mohsen’s detention at his own citizenship interview represents an extraordinary breach of legal norms and basic human dignity.
2. **Targeted Political Repression**: This detention appears to be direct retaliation for Mohsen’s constitutionally protected speech advocating for Palestinian human rights—a dangerous precedent that threatens the foundational freedoms upon which our society depends.
3. **Silencing a Voice for Peace**: Mohsen has demonstrated consistent commitment to Buddhist principles of nonviolence and compassion. He actively built bridges between communities and directly confronted antisemitism, once leading students to remove a heckler who shouted antisemitic threats at a rally while thanking “Jewish brothers and sisters who stand with us.”
4. **Bipartisan Condemnation**: Vermont’s congressional delegation—Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch, and Representative Becca Balint—have unequivocally denounced this action as “immoral, inhumane and illegal,” demanding Mohsen’s immediate release.
Mohsen’s case is not isolated but part of an escalating pattern of detentions targeting those who exercise their right to free expression. This includes Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Öztürk, similarly detained after speaking out, and Kilmer Abrego Garcia, who remains imprisoned in El Salvador despite Supreme Court orders mandating his return to the United States.
These actions reveal a systematic assault on human rights that should concern every person of conscience, regardless of political affiliation or religious belief. When a government targets individuals based on their identity and peaceful advocacy, the foundation of democratic society itself is threatened.
As Buddhists, we recognize the interconnectedness of all beings. When one person’s rights are violated, all of humanity is diminished. The freedom to speak truth without fear of persecution is not merely a legal principle—it is essential to human dignity and collective liberation.
We therefore make these urgent demands:
1. The immediate release of Mohsen Mahdawi and all others similarly detained for protected speech
2. Full transparency regarding the legal justification for these detentions
3. Concrete assurances that due process rights will be respected in all immigration proceedings 4. An immediate end to the targeting of activists based on their identity or protected expression
We stand in unwavering solidarity with those whose voices have been silenced and whose freedom has been unjustly taken. Their suffering is our suffering. Their freedom is our freedom.
Their humanity is our shared humanity.
We call upon all who value compassion, justice, and human dignity to join us in speaking out. The time for silence has passed. The moment for moral courage has arrived.
In steadfast commitment to justice and human dignity,
Sincerely,
Rev. Doshin Mako Voelkel
Rev. Ben Connelly, Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
Rev. Jisan Tova Green, San Francisco Zen Center
Rev. Zenshin Greg Fain, Berkeley Zen Center
Rev. Kakushin Jill Kaplan
Sallie Jiko Tisdale, Dharma Rain Zen Center of Portland
Judy Roitman (Zen Master Bon Hae)
Rev. Eido Frances Carney
Rev. Susan Myoyu Andersen, Great Plains Zen Center
Rev. Jisho Warner
Rev. Joan Jiko Halifax
Rev. Chris Fortin, Dharma Heart Zen, Everyday Zen Foundation
Rev. Tenku Ruff, Beacon Zen Temple
Rev. Keido San’un Phillips, Empty Sky Sangha
Rev. Misha Shungen Merrill, Zen Heart Sangha
Mary Koopman, Every Day Zen
Rev. Busshō Lahn, Flying Cloud Zen
Rev Daigan Gaither
Rev. Nenzen Pamela Brown, Los Gatos, California
Rev. Domyo Burk, Bright Way Zen
Rev. Shoshin Cynthia Ziegler, Sellwood Soto Zen, Oregon
Rev. M. Denis Lahey, Hartford Street Zen Center
Dan Myoen Birnbaum
Rev. Renshin Bunce, Beginner’s Mind Zen of Eureka
Rev. Eugene Bush Santa Cruz and Arcata Zen Centers
Rev. Shosan Austin
Rev. Eiko Joshin Atkinson
Rev. Nomon Tim Burnett, Red Cedar Zen Community, Bellingham, WA
Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, Chicago
Rev. Hakusen Gendo Field, Upper Valley Zen, VT
Rev. Hobu Beata Chapman, NoWalls Zen, Ashland, OR
Rev. Peg Syverson, Appamada, Austin, TX
Rev Inryū Poncé-Barger, , Washington DC
Rev. Myozen Joan Amaral, Zen Center North Shore, MA
Rev. Shinchi Linda Galijan, Berkeley Zen Center, CA
Rev. Myo-O Marilyn Habermas-Scher, Clouds in Water Zen Center, MN
Rev. Hogen Bays, Great Vow Zen Monastery, OR
Rev. Jan Chozen Bays, Great Vow Zen Monastery, OR
Rev. Shinryu Thomson, NY
Julie Seido Nelson, Greater Boston Zen Center, MAI
Rev. Tenzen David ZimmermanRev. Neti Mushin Parekh Rebecca Li
Abby Mushin Terris, Sangha Jewel Zen Center, OR
Rev. Cynthia Ryotan Kear, Great Spirit Sangha, San Francisco
Rev. Sara Hunsaker, Monterey Bay Zen Center, Monterey/Carmel, CA
Rev. Rev. Ryushin Andrea Thach, Berkeley Zen Center
Rev. Rengetsu Edie Brown, British Columbia, Canada
Rev. Mary Ann Sacksteder, Everyday Zen, Dharma Heart Zen
Rev. Sunyana Graef, Vermont Zen Center, Shelburne, VT
Rev. Taishin Michael Augustin
Rev. Sanriki Jaramillo, Montaña de Silencio, Medellín, Colombia.
Rev. Diane Eshin Rizzetto, Oakland, CA
Rev. Melissa Myōzen Blacker, Boundless Way Zen Temple, Worcester, MA
Rev. Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Zen Mountain Monastery, Mt. Tremper, NY
Rev. Pat Enkyo O’Hara, NYC
Joel Barrna, Appamada, Austin TX
Rev. Reirin Gumbel
jacob seiryo gendelman, warwick zendo/Yokoji Zen Mountain Center
Rev. Genjo Marinello, abbot of Chobo-Ji Zen Center, Seattle, WA
Rev. Kenshin Catherine Cascade, Bird Haven Zendo, Eugene, OR
Rev. Rinzan Pechovnik, abbot of No-Rank Zen Temple, Portland, OR
Patricia Wolff, Monterey Bay Zen Center, Monterey, California
Rev. Michael Shoryu Fieleke, Living Vow Zen, Newton, MA
Rev. Kanzan Bruce Fortin, Occidental Laguna Zen Sangha, Occidental Ca.
Rev. Shoho Michael Newhall, Jikoji Zen Center, Los Gatos, CA
Rev. Patrick Kennyo Dunn, Mud Lotus Sangha, Columbus, OH
Rev. Daigaku RumméAlan Sanhyō Richardson, Boundless Way Zen Temple, Worcester, MA
Debra Seido Martin, Zen West, Eugene, OR
Rev. Tom Dharma-Joy Reichert, Zen Center of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Rev. Karen DeCotis, San Antonio Zen Center
Rev. Kidō Ian Case, Brooklyn Zen Center
Rev Joan Hogetsu Hoeberichts, Heart Circle Zen, Tiburon, CA
Ji Haeng Zen Master Kwan Um School of Zen Zen Center of Las Vegas
Marshall White, JDPSN, Kwan Um School of Zen, Berkeley CA
Michael Kieran, Honolulu, HI
Rev. Mark Morris, Heart Circle Zen, Hackensack, NJ
Bernie Rhie, Williamstown Zen Group, Williamstown, MA
Matthew Keeler JDPSN, Kwan Um School of Zen, New York, NY
Ji Hyang Padma, Buddhist Chaplain, Boulder, CO
Rev. Zenki Mary Mocine, Founding Teacher Vallejo Zen Center (for identification only, not on behalf of Center)
Rev. Dae Jaang James Casebolt, Belmont Zen Center, St. Clairsville, OH
Kim Mosley, Appamada, Austin, TX
Shin’yu Vitells, Dharma Rain Zen Center, Portland OR
Rev. Jisho Siebert, Ames, IA
Charlie Korin Pokorny, Brooklyn Zen Center, NY
Rev. Kodo Conlin, Santa Cruz, CA
Rev. Josho Pat Phelan
Reverend Tanya Wiser, San Carlos CA
Rev. Peter van der Sterre. Oak Street Sanctuary, San Francisco and Boise ID.
Rev. Myozan Kodo Kilroy
Zen Master Hye Mun
Joseph Bobrow
Rev. Dawn Neal, Santa Cruz CA
Rev. Kirsten Rudestam, White Salmon WA
Rev. Dr. Daijaku Kinst
Jūken Zach Fehst, Clouds in Water Zen Center, St. Paul, MN
Rev. Shinshu Roberts
Rev. Onryu Kennedy
Rev. Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, Chicago, IL
Sensei Eihei Nanfu
Rev. Keidō Thotland
Rev. Rakugo Castaldo, Soji Zen Center, Lansdowne PA
Rev. Zenku Smyers, Mission Mountain Zen Center, Dayton MT
Rev. Gensan Kristopher Thomson, Berkeley Zen Center in
Rev. Mary Grace Orr
Rev. Teshin Sweger, North Carolina Zen Center
Rev Gerry Shishin Wick, Berthoud, CO
Roshi Eve Marko, Zen Peacemaker Order
Rev Mei Elliott, Santa Cruz CA
Daya Goldschlag, Stonewillow Zendo, Spokane, WA
Rev. Geido Ann Grossman, Delray Beach, Florida
Rev Norman Fischer
Rev. Liz Powell, Castle Pines, CO
Jason Aylsworth, Zen Center North Shore, MA
Rev. Hoky Enso Chuck Hutchcraft
Rev. Shelley Gault, Santa Barbara, California
Rev. Ying Chen, Los Altos, California
Barbara Rhodes Kwan Um School of Zon
Laurie Winnette, Appamada, Austin, Texas
Dr. Will Holcomb, Heartland Zen, St. Louis, Missouri
Rafe Jnan Martin
Kodo Conover, Zen Teacher/Priest,Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple, Portland , OR
Rev. Jundo Cohen, Treeleaf Zendo
Rev. James Ishmael Ford, Empty Moon Zen
Jane Steinberg, LZTA,
Rev. Mark Kizan Shogen Bloodgood, San Luis Obospo, CA
Rev. Jodo Clusin, Prairie Mountain Zen Center, Longmont, CO
Roshi Deirdre Eisho Peterson, Red Rocks Zen Circle, Sedona, AZ
Roshi Anne Seisen Saunders
Roshi D Allen, Carmel, CA
Larry Trussell, Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple, Portland OR
Hannah Sullivan, Red Cedar Zen Community, Bellingham WA
Rev. Kusa Ivan Mayerhofer, Cornelius, NC
Rev. Sessei Meg Levie
Myogen Katherine Stark
All Zen Center and Temple names listed are for identification only, not on behalf of these institutions.
“Letter of testimony on behalf of Mr. Mohsen Mahdawi”
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing this letter as testimony to the character and religious faith of Mohsen Mahdawi, the Columbia University student of Palestinian ethnicity who was detained by ICE officials this past week and stands at risk of deportation back to his place of origin, the West Bank of the Palestinian territories.
I have had only one personal meeting with Mr. Mahdawi, a Zoom conversation that we held probably in August 2024. The president of the New York Buddhist Association, Doyeon Park, brought us together. We arranged to meet over Zoom and we had a conversation that lasted about an hour or ninety minutes.
After he introduced himself, Mr. Mahdawi told me that he had already “met” me through one of my books, The Buddha’s Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony, which deeply resonated with him. Our conversation partly touched on the protests that had taken place on the Columbia University campus during the spring semester of 2024. Mr. Mahdawi was one of the leaders of the protest movement. During the spring, I watched live video coverage of the protests, and from a distance I could see that the early campus protests were, for the most part, peaceful, orderly, and respectful. They brought together Muslim, Jewish, and other students in a spirit of harmony, mutual respect, and true fellowship—a shared commitment to peace and justice in the Middle East. The protests outside the university, in the nearby streets, conveyed a very different feeling, and I was troubled by some of the slogans being shouted.
The major exception to the peaceful nature of the campus protests was the occupation of Hamilton Hall by a small, rowdy, splinter group that broke away from the main protest movement. Both Mr. Mahdawi and I agreed in deploring this action, which we thought violated the original spirit of the protests and distracted from their aim. Mr. Mahdawi told me that he had opposed such tactics and felt disheartened when they took place.
From my discussion with Mr. Mahdawi, it was perfectly clear to me that his faith in Buddhism is deep and honest and that he takes the ethical principles of Buddhism as the guidelines to his life. He told me how he came to embrace Buddhism, an unusual move for a Palestinian. During his youth on the West Bank, he saw his uncle and best friend shot before his eyes by the Israeli security forces. The Israeli forces also executed several of his cousins. These events provoked in him both anger and inner grief, which persisted when he came to the U.S. He did not know how to handle these painful emotions, which he felt gnawing at the core of his soul. When, however, he encountered Buddhism, he found in the Buddha’s teachings the means to control these emotions and channel them to constructive ends. He told me that Buddhism had utterly transformed his life.
The Buddha’s ethical teachings are founded on the principle of non-violence, demanding non-injury by way of bodily action, speech, and thought. The first Buddhist precept requires refraining from injuring any living being — animals as well as humans — and Buddhist ethical values stress the centrality of love, compassion, patience, and generosity. During our discussion, I could see that Mr. Mahdawi took these precepts and values to heart. Through his practice of meditation, he told me, he learned to transmute anger into patience and hatred into forgiveness and love. Such experience aroused in him a strong desire to promote both justice and reconciliation among all those torn apart by long-standing enmity.
He told me that the motivation behind his involvement in the Columbia protests was not hatred but love: love for his own people, the Palestinians, but also love for the Jewish people, toward whom he bore no ill will. He hoped that the violence and killing on both sides would stop so that a genuine reconciliation would occur. And he envisioned a future when Palestinians and Jews would be able to live together in peace.
In our discussion, he referred to an incident that he has also mentioned in recorded videos I have seen of him. During one of the early protests, a protestor who was not a member of the core protest group shouted, “Down with the Jews!” When he heard this, Mr. Mahdawi approached that person and told him that he should not say this, that he was undermining their cause. He stressed that his aim in leading the protests was to bring Palestinians and Jews together in a shared commitment to peace, not to pit one side against the other. He said that he saw Palestinian liberation and Jewish safety as closely intertwined, such that neither side could be truly free until both sides are free.
From my conversation with Mr. Mahdawi, and videos of him I have seen on YouTube, I am firmly convinced — beyond even the tiniest dust-mote of doubt — that he is a man of peace, high moral vision, and a firm commitment to the ethics of love, compassion, and forgiveness. I was shocked and deeply saddened to read about his arrest, especially in view of the circumstances under which it took place. Far from being a danger to our country, I believe Mr. Mahdawi would be an extraordinary asset. As an American citizen, he could make immense contributions to the cause of peace and social harmony, bringing together hostile groups in a quest for mutual understanding. He is a person who, in my view, truly stands for our national credo, “with liberty and justice for all.”
I sincerely hope that Mr. Mahdawi will be quickly released from detention, granted American citizenship, and permitted to graduate from Columbia University so he can enter the master’s program in International Relations—a program into which, I believe, he was already accepted.
I declare that the above statements are all true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Thank you for your attention to this letter.
Sincerely yours,
Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
President
Buddhist Association of the United States
