Boniuk Institute’s Jamal participates in Fort Bend County Hate Crimes Forum

Zahra Jamal, middle, associate director of Rice’s Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance, participated in a special hate crimes forum hosted by the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office Oct. 28.

Held at the Gus George Academy in Richmond, the forum was facilitated by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service and include presentations on hate crime laws, the challenge of diversity in the community and resources for the community in the aftermath of hate crimes. The forum commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Established by a gift from Houston philanthropists Milton and Laurie Boniuk, the Boniuk Institute is dedicated to nurturing religious tolerance and advancing religious literacy; respect and mutual understanding among people of all and no faiths, especially youth through research efforts; educational initiatives; and community engagement.

(Photo courtesy of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office)