- Bridge Initiative

The Bridge Initiative: Achievements

06 May 2025

The Bridge Initiative was established in 2015 to provide accessible and scholarly information on Islamophobia. In the last five years (2020-2024), The Bridge Initiative has produced over 235 pieces of research (factsheets, articles, reports).Our research has been featured in prominent media outlets, including the New Yorker, New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Haaretz, The Forward, The Intercept, TIME, and more. read the complete article

Austrian Hijab Ban Survey: What Muslim women think

09 Oct 2025

The Austrian Hijab Ban Survey sheds light on how Muslim women and girls in Austria view the government’s proposed legislation banning the hijab in schools up to the 8th grade. Conducted shortly after the bill’s announcement on 10 September 2025, the survey collected responses from almost 1,000 Muslim women in Austria, offering a rare insight into the voices most directly affected. The findings are striking: 93% of respondents oppose the ban. The results further challenge claims that the hijab negatively impacts education or personal development, with overwhelming majorities disputing such arguments. Also, Muslim women who do not wear the hijab expressed strong opposition to the law. Politically, most respondents supported the Social Democrats (SPÖ), despite the party’s participation in the coalition pushing the ban, while many also favored smaller parties, but clearly rejected the two most vocal parties supporting the bill, the Conservatives (ÖVP) and the Liberals (NEOS), polling with only 1 percent each. Overall, the survey highlights both the broad rejection of the hijab ban among Muslim women and the gap between political rhetoric and the lived experiences of Austria’s Muslim community. read the complete article

Pride or Prejudice? The English Flag and the Racialization of Belonging

09 Sep 2025

In recent weeks, there has been a visible resurgence of national symbols across the United Kingdom, particularly the Union Jack and the English flag bearing Saint George's Cross. These flags have been hoisted from lampposts, draped over bridges, and even painted onto roundabouts. While some describe this grassroots movement as an expression of national pride, the displaying of these flags has also been closely associated with anti-migrant and anti-Muslim hostility. read the complete article

Islamophobia: The Right Word for a Real Problem

08 Sep 2016

The history of American and European interactions with Muslims around the world is long and complex. Over time, geopolitical events abroad — wars, conflicts over natural resources including land and oil, and domestic security threats... read the complete article

Reporting Gaza: Bias, Silence, and Islamophobia in the BBC

17 Jul 2025

In episode 19 of Unpacking Islamophobia, Bridge Associate Director Mobashra Tazamal speaks with Faisal Hanif, a media analyst at the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) in the United Kingdom. They discuss CfMM’s latest report highlighting the systemic bias in the BBC’s coverage of Israel’s war in Gaza. read the complete article

Private: Factsheet: Alice Weidel

04 Apr 2025

Alice Weidel ist die Co-Vorsitzende der Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), einer rechtsextremen politischen Partei in Deutschland und der ersten nationalistischen Rechtspartei, die seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg in den deutschen Bundestag eingezogen ist. read the complete article

20 years of Guantánamo: a symbol of injustice, abuse, and disregard for the rule of law

11 Jan 2022

On January 11, 2002, the first individuals arrived at the Guantánamo Bay Military Prison. In the twenty years since the establishment of the prison, a total of 780 Muslim men and boys have passed through the prison, with over 98% never being charged with a crime. In the two decades since its founding, only two prisoners have ever been convicted. read the complete article

Hindutva in Britain

24 Nov 2023

This report analyzes the historical and contemporary context that has cultivated the complex landscape in which Hindu nationalist influences have materialized in the UK. Our research provides an overview of Hindutva in India, the Islamophobia industry and its connection to Hindutva, UK-based groups and individuals who have expressed or supported Hindu nationalist sentiment, and the 2022 Leicester riots, the political response and fallout following the events in the city. read the complete article

Private: Factsheet: Common Anti-Muslim Tropes

04 Dec 2018

These tropes are not only found on anti-Muslim blogs online, but also in news and entertainment media. They can also be manifested in political speech and can serve as assumptions underlying government policy. read the complete article

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10 Apr 2026

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The Latest

Video

26 Mar 2026

Secularism, Race, and the Politics of Islamophobia

Within the field of #Islamophobia, dominant scholarship identifies the issue as a form of racism, where race and religion have become conflated in social structures. Secularism, Race, and the Politics of Islamophobia makes a new contribution to the "Islamophobia is racism” thesis by analyzing how secularism organizes and constructs the racialization of #Muslims and perpetuates anti-Muslim racism. read the complete article

Video

18 Mar 2026

Book Talk | Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice

In their new book, Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice, Reverend Dr. Anna Piela and Reverend Dr. Michael Woolf examine the Church’s role in fostering anti-Muslim prejudice. The book presents clear insights into how Christian teachings and practices have reinforced harmful stereotypes, while offering practical tools and liturgical resources to help dismantle Islamophobia. read the complete article

Article

17 Mar 2026

Monitoring Islamophobia in Europe for 10 years: Some observations

We take March 15, the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia, as an opportunity to reflect upon 10 years of publishing the yearly European Islamophobia Report, where more than 30 authors have published over 25 country reports covering the state and development of Islamophobia since 2015. While far from comprehensive, this reflection provides insights in the making of the report, the achievements, worsening trends, as well as a short outlook on the future. read the complete article