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SearchToday in Islamophobia: In the United States, Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner pledged to pursue an aggressive stance against radical Islam if elected in November, and promised to introduce a ban on Muslim immigration to the country, meanwhile at the UN, a lack of political recognition is undermining efforts to combat Islamophobia in Europe, with the issue driven by political elites rather than society at large, according to a U.N. Human Rights Council panel, and lastly in the United Kingdom, conservative MP Nick Timothy has caused controversy after calling a public iftar gathering in London’s Trafalgar Square an “act of domination” by Muslims. Our recommended read of the day is by Jenan Mohajir and Todd Green for USA Today, who warn that “the specter of imposing religious law on America isn’t coming from Muslims; that threat is actually coming from Christian nationalists.”This and more below:
United States
Threat of Imposing Religious Law in America Isn’t from Muslims | Recommended Read
Nearly 250 years after the founding of this nation, the United States finds herself at a crossroads, asked to choose between two different visions of what it means to belong to the American family. One path leads to a Christian nationalist rebranding of America based on the alluring myth of religious and national purity, where Christian and American identities are synonymous, and where Christians are tasked with holding authority over all essential aspects of American civic life. The other path is a return to America’s pluralistic roots and the endeavor to create a society in which people from diverse religious traditions can freely bring their gifts and aspirations to bear on a shared diverse democracy. The most straightforward explanation is that there is a growing need in certain political quarters for a distraction from the real authoritarian, anti-democratic, anti-pluralist threat to the nation. That threat is not coming from Muslims, who make up only 1% of the U.S. adult population, but from Christian nationalists. read the complete article
The 5 Most Islamophobic Tweets From Republicans Since the Iran War Began
American wars in the Middle East have always relied on Islamophobic tropes and dehumanization to manufacture consent at home, but the vile, anti-Muslim rhetoric we’re seeing coming from congressional Republicans has reached new levels since Donald Trump launched his illegal war on Iran. There are five Republicans in particular who, since the Iran war began, have somehow become even more Islamophobic and vicious than they already were. Democrats and civil rights groups have denounced many of them, but Republicans have largely remained silent. read the complete article
American Muslims’ unique role against anti-U.S. sentiment and Islamophobia
It is not easy to be an American Muslim today. At a time when the United States is engaged in yet another conflict involving a Muslim-majority country, rhetoric from a growing number of public figures, including some of our highest officials, continues to vilify Islam and cast suspicion on Muslims as disloyal or dangerous. Too often, national conversations about Islam proceed without Muslims at the table. Yet despite this, American Muslims remain committed to a few simple but powerful beliefs: that our faith makes us better citizens and that this country affords us the opportunity to practice our faith freely. The problem is not Islam, nor is it America, both of which are based on the foundational principles to uphold justice, dignity and the equality of all people. The problem lies in the political, ideological and economic forces that benefit from division. War, in particular, amplifies these distortions. It thrives on falsehoods: that Islam and the West are destined to clash, that Muslims are inherently disloyal and that domination and surveillance are necessary for security. These narratives marginalize the overwhelming majority of Muslims who seek peace while empowering the extremists on all sides. Today, as new conflicts emerge and old narratives resurface, American Muslims must once again be part of the solution. Our commitment to faith calls us to justice; our patriotism calls us to service. Together, these commitments position us to advance both peace abroad and pluralism at home. read the complete article
Americans shouldn't have to observe our holy days in fear
In one of our kitchens, we just approached the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. In another, we are scouring for wayward crumbs and grains ahead of the start of Passover. Our Christian neighbors, meanwhile, are observing Lent in the lead-up to Holy Week and Easter. There is a lot we could be connecting about during this shared season of reflection and ritual, starting with fasting and food-based rituals to themes of liberation, gratitude and the importance of family traditions. We could swap stories about our shared love of Chicago’s renowned Romanian salami (both kosher and halal) or the beauty and challenges of engaging our kids in our respective religious rituals. But this spring, America’s Jewish and Muslim communities are navigating the holidays with a sense of fear and trepidation, especially after recent attacks on a Michigan synagogue and an Arizona mosque. Those fears are all too real for us as moms who routinely ferry our children to our houses of worship. Will they be safe in what should be the safest of safe spaces? read the complete article
Renner unleashes attack on Sharia law: ‘Compatibility of Islam in this country does not exist’
Former House Speaker Paul Renner pledged Tuesday to pursue an aggressive stance against radical Islam if elected in November, saying it is time to be “realistic and honest that the long-term compatibility of Islam in this country does not exist.” Saying he was speaking out after a series of terrorist attacks in the United States, the Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate promised: “As governor, I will propose and promote a federal ban on Muslim immigration to our country.” “It is permanent and comprehensive. With respect to those who have terrorist ties or defraud taxpayers or do any other serious crime that we’ve seen that I’ve listed, upon conviction they should be de-naturalized and deported immediately. I will aggressively enforce the Florida Legislature’s recent law with respect to Sharia law being used in our courts. Only American law can be used in American courts and that should go without saying,” he said during a press conference in Tampa. He maintained that his comment about a lack of compatibility between Islam and America was “not a statement of animosity. It’s a statement of fact. And we have to act accordingly.” read the complete article
United Kingdom
Why Christians should defend Muslims’ right to pray in Trafalgar Square
Conservative MP Nick Timothy has caused controversy after calling a public iftar gathering in London’s Trafalgar Square an “act of domination” by Muslims. Creating a culture of suspicion and exclusion towards people of other faiths is neither British nor Christian, argues David Taylor. He believes Christians should be the first to defend the right of Muslims to gather and pray peacefully. read the complete article
Muslims shouldn’t give up on the ‘anti-Muslim hostility’ definition
For six years, the Ramadan Tent Project’s Open Iftar has transformed Trafalgar Square into a space where Muslims gather with people of all faiths and none to break bread, share stories and build a sense of belonging. These gatherings are more than symbolic. They are acts of cultural and interfaith diplomacy, ordinary people modelling trust and understanding through shared experience. Yet political rhetoric distorts these spaces. The Conservative shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy last week described Muslims praying there as an “act of domination”. Narratives such as these echo conspiracies like the so-called ‘Great Replacement Theory’, portraying Muslims as outsiders undermining society. They reflect a wider pattern in public discourse that normalises suspicion, legitimises prejudice and reinforces the dangerous idea that British Muslims do not fully belong in public life. When politicians, media and institutions signal that Muslim presence is suspect, it legitimises harassment, verbal abuse and hate crimes. It undermines and sidelines the positive work of interfaith and cultural diplomacy, distracting from the positive work being done to build bridges between communities. In any case, though, defining anti-Muslim hostility is not enough. Words must be followed by action: we need a co-produced, well resourced, cross-sector national strategy backed by legal reform, education policy, workplace standards, media accountability and cultural initiatives. One adviser or piece of symbolic guidance cannot tackle structural prejudice. read the complete article
International
No Israel prosecutions for killing Palestinian civilians in occupied West Bank since start of decade
Israel has not prosecuted its citizens for killing Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank since the start of this decade, a Guardian analysis of legal data and public records show, creating impunity for a campaign of violence. Attacks have spurred former prime minister Ehud Olmert to call for an intervention by the international criminal court (ICC), to “save the Palestinians and us [Israelis]” from state-backed settler violence, carried out with the complicity and sometimes participation of the police and military. The former Israeli security commanders demanded urgent action to stop “almost daily” attacks on Palestinians. In a public letter to the country’s current military chief they warned that failure to tackle “Jewish terrorism” poses an existential threat. This month Israeli settlers and police have killed 10 Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, including brothers aged five and seven and their parents who were all shot in the head as the family returned from a Ramadan shopping trip. “We are no longer talking about a handful of lawbreaking hooligans. This is organised activity, which sometimes includes those wearing uniforms, who shoot at innocent people and burn the property and homes of civilians,” the letter said. Signatories to the letter, which has not been previously reported, included two former heads of Israel’s military – one of whom also served as defence minister – five chiefs of the Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies and four former police commissioners. read the complete article
Lack of political will fuels Islamophobia in Europe, expert warns at UN
A lack of political recognition is undermining efforts to combat Islamophobia in Europe, with the issue driven by political elites rather than society at large, a panel at the U.N. Human Rights Council heard. Speaking at a panel organized by COJEP International, a French-based civil society organization, Professor Enes Bayraklı described the issue as a political problem driven by elites rather than society at large. He said many European leaders avoid using the term Islamophobia, opting instead for phrases like anti-Muslim hate, which he argued fails to capture the scale of the issue. "What we are facing is anti-Muslim racism," he said, stressing that proper acknowledgment is essential for meaningful solutions. While noting some progress, including the U.N.’s designation of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Bayraklı said European initiatives remain insufficient. He pointed to the appointment of coordinators at the EU and Council of Europe level, but said their impact has been limited. read the complete article