At a commencement ceremony last month at Seattle University, Provost Shane Martin removed a Palestinian flag from graduating student Sumeyya Osman as she attempted to display it on stage. Video footage circulated by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Washington shows Martin unexpectedly taking the tricolor flag from Osman, leading to a brief physical struggle before Martin escorted her off the stage.

Osman, a Muslim student, later described the incident as an aggressive encounter. She said that prior to the flag removal, she expected Martin to offer a handshake, which she declined due to her religious practice as a Muslim woman not to shake hands with men outside her family. Osman recounted informing Martin of this custom before the interaction escalated.

The exchange began when Osman attempted to unfurl the Palestinian flag during the ceremony. Martin grabbed the flag out of her hands, partially concealing it from view, before the two wrestled over it briefly. Despite being led away from the stage and having the flag withheld, Osman managed to display the flag again before leaving.

In the aftermath, Martin issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and its impact on the commencement ceremony, describing the misunderstanding as unfortunate. The university has not released further details on any disciplinary or policy responses related to the episode.

The case raises questions about the expression of political symbols during academic events and the handling of cultural and religious differences in such contexts. Osman's supporters argue that her display of the Palestinian flag was an important part of her identity and expression, while others may view the provost’s intervention as an effort to maintain order during the public event. The incident has drawn attention from civil rights groups and sparked debate on campus about inclusivity and respect for diverse religious and political expressions.