A McMaster University professor who organized a campus day in support of Muslim students says racial slurs sprayed onto her office door have left her in complete shock.

Hamilton police have launched a hate crime investigation into the racist attack condemned by Hamilton’s Muslim community and McMaster officials. Investigators believe the incident is a backlash against last week’s Wear a Hijab Day, an event organized by associate French professor Muriel Walker to help sensitize people about Islam.

“What have I done, not just to deserve this, but to inspire this kind of strong reaction?” she said. “I am still in disbelief.”

Campus cleaning staff discovered the racist and profane graffiti on Walker’s door early Tuesday morning. They also found copies of controversial Danish editorial cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed glued to her door.

“Did I really do something that bad to trigger this whole hysteria?” Walker said

Hamilton Spectator, 12 April 2007

See also “Hate graffiti targets McMaster professor”, Toronto Star, 12 April 2007

Update:  See “Racist cowards at work”, Toronto Star, 13 April 2007

And “McMaster professor was targeted before, she says”, Globe & Mail, 14 April 2007