Bridge Initiative

The Bridge Initiative is a multi-year research project on Islamophobia housed in Georgetown University

magnifying glass icon Search
Bridge Initiative Research Publications United States

Displaying Country: United States

Factsheet

03 Jun 2025 | Organizations

Factsheet: Canary Mission

Canary Mission is an organization that aims to document “individuals and organizations that promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on North American college campuses and beyond.” Its website smears Muslim, Arab, and pro-Palestinian students, academics, and organizations by conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The organization publishes detailed online profiles accusing individuals—often with little or no evidence—of supporting terrorism or promoting antisemitism, simply for expressing pro-Palestinian views or criticizing Zionism. read the complete article

Article

27 Mar 2025 | Policy/Law

Silencing Dissent: The Islamophobia Industry’s Assault on Academic Freedom

In 2025, The Bridge Initiative marks ten years since its launch. Founded by world-renowned Islamic studies scholar Dr. John L. Esposito, the project, housed under the Al-Waleed Center for Muslim Christian Understanding (ACMCU) at Georgetown University, was created in response to the urgent need for a reliable source on Islamophobia. As the issue grew in the United States, Bridge was established with a clear mission: to study, analyze, and provide the public with resources on Islamophobia—how it manifests and the often-devastating consequences it brings to individuals and society. read the complete article

Editorial

25 Mar 2025 | Organizations

Abraham’s Bridge: A Documentary Review of Interfaith Connection in America’s Heartland

In a world marked by conflict, division, and religious tension, "Abraham's Bridge" offers a compelling narrative of collaboration across faith traditions. This short documentary, running just under 40 minutes, produced and directed by Elinor J. Pierce, Research Director of the Harvard Pluralism Project (pluralism.org), chronicles the remarkable Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, Nebraska – an ambitious project to build a mosque, synagogue, church, and interfaith center side-by-side, connected by a circular wooden bridge. read the complete article

Factsheet

17 Feb 2025 | Individuals

Factsheet: Elon Musk

Elon Musk is a billionaire entrepreneur and the CEO or top executive of multiple high-profile companies, including X (formerly Twitter), Tesla and SpaceX. He has a documented history of amplifying anti-Muslim tropes, supporting individuals and organizations that promote Islamophobia, and making statements that minimize or dismiss concerns about anti-Muslim racism. His actions and influence have contributed to the normalization of Islamophobic rhetoric in public discourse. In 2024, U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Musk to lead the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency. read the complete article

Factsheet

14 Feb 2025 | Individuals

Factsheet: Tom Trento

Tom Trento is an American conservative activist who has a history of making  anti-Muslim statements, including promoting a narrative that constructs Islam as a major threat to America. He is the founder and executive director of The United West, described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an organization “stoking anti-Muslim hate for over a decade.” read the complete article

Factsheet

28 Jan 2025 | Individuals

Factsheet: Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth is a former Fox News political commentator, author, and former Army National Guard officer who served in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He has tattoos that are associated with white nationalism and has a history of making Islamophobic statements. Hegseth has also been accused of sexual assault and has had several incidences of alleged sexist behavior. read the complete article