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

28 Jan 2025 | Individuals

Factsheet: Randy Fine

Randy Fine is an American Republican politician and currently serves as a Senator for the Florida state government. Before joining politics, he served as a gambling industry executive. Fine has been described as an “unhinged bigot,” “controversial,” “divisive,” and “abrasive.” He has a history of making anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, and racist comments, and has threatened two Muslim women members of Congress. In 2024, Fine announced he would be running for the US Congress and was endorsed by President Donald Trump. read the complete article

27 Dec 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Elise Stefanik

IMPACT: Elise Stefanik is a Republican congresswoman from New York. Initially entering politics as a moderate, Stefanik has rebranded herself and become a staunch supporter and defender of President-elect Donald Trump. She has a history... read the complete article

12 Dec 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Marco Rubio

IMPACT: Marco Rubio is a US Senator from the state of Florida. He previously ran for President in 2016. He has a documented history of minimizing the issue of Islamophobia, promoting anti-Muslim tropes, and supporting discriminatory policies targeting Muslims. In 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated him to serve as Secretary of State. read the complete article

12 Dec 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Sebastian Gorka

Sebastian Gorka is a contributor at Sinclair TV, who previously worked for FOX News and served as the Deputy Assistant to President Donald Trump. Gorka supports religious profiling, has targeted Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups, and has publicly worn a medal affiliated with a Nazi-linked Hungarian group. read the complete article

25 Nov 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas, a Baptist minister, political commentator, and ran to be the Republican presidential candidate in 2008 and 2016. He is a staunch supporter of Israel, has questioned Palestinian identity, supports settlements, and has a history of making anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic statements. In 2024, President-elect Donald Trump picked Huckabee to serve as the United States Ambassador to Israel. read the complete article

28 Oct 2024 | Policy/Law

Populism and Prejudice: Insights from Global Islamophobia and the Rise of Populism

In the newly released book Global Islamophobia and the Rise of Populism (edited by Professor Sahar F. Aziz and Professor John L. Esposito), a group of scholars and international experts examine the rise of Islamophobia and populism across various countries, from India to Europe. Each chapter explores how anti-Muslim stereotypes and narratives have been strategically employed by politicians and governments to win electoral support, creating a harmful, discriminatory, dangerous, and sometimes deadly environment for Muslims.  read the complete article

15 Oct 2024 | Organizations

Factsheet: Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation

Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (Ekal-USA) is a Houston, Texas-based non-profit organization with over 70 chapters across multiple U.S. cities. It serves as the sister organization of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India (Ekal-India), a Hindu nationalist group that operates single-teacher schools in India. Ekal-India has been accused of promoting hatred towards religious minorities. read the complete article

06 Sep 2024 | Politics

Why Muslim Americans Are Losing Faith in the U.S. Election: Disillusionment due to Bipartisan Islamophobia and Gaza Policy

This November, Americans will head to the polls to elect their next president. While several third-party candidates are in the running, the race ultimately comes down to Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris, and Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump. Amid the election season, one issue that has become central for many Muslim Americans is Israel’s war in Gaza. read the complete article