The Bridge Initiative is a multi-year research project on Islamophobia housed in Georgetown University
The Bridge Initiative is a multi-year research project on Islamophobia housed in Georgetown University
04 Dec 2025 | Policy/Law
The German Federal Government’s recent decision to make its Task Force on Islamism Prevention within the Federal Ministry of the Interior a permanent committee is another step to deepen the criminalization of Muslim civic activity. read the complete article
09 Oct 2025 | Law Enforcement
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
09 Sep 2025 | Policy/Law
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
27 Mar 2025 | Policy/Law
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
14 Mar 2025 | Policy/Law
Islamophobia is a global crisis with profound and far-reaching consequences for Muslim communities and society at large. The latest figures from multiple countries underscore the severity of this escalating threat. According to the Council on... read the complete article
18 Feb 2025 | Military
Twenty-three years have passed, yet the early weeks of Donald Trump’s second administration felt like a return to 2002. On January 29, 2025, the former reality star-turned-president signed an executive order to expand detention facilities... read the complete article
14 Nov 2024 | Policy/Law
Over the past decade, Europe has seen a pronounced shift to the right, as far-right parties across the continent have moved into the mainstream. A significant driver of this shift has been the persistence and visibility of Islamophobia within European society. Anti-Muslim attitudes are widespread, and many elected officials have capitalized on these sentiments. By using Muslim communities as scapegoats, they deflect attention from policy shortcomings, and have instead gained support by appealing to negative perceptions of Muslims. read the complete article
28 Oct 2024 | Policy/Law
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
26 Jul 2024 | Military
To commemorate the 29th anniversary of the “worst single atrocity in Europe since World War II”, the United Nations General Assembly voted in July 2024 to establish the “International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.” This day is meant to honor the lives over 8,000+ Bosnian Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica who were forcibly taken from their homes and brutally slaughtered in mass executions by Serbian ethno-nationalist forces during the genocidal reign of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. read the complete article
26 Mar 2024 | Policy/Law
The government of Narendra Modi in India is preparing for an upcoming election year cycle by implementing a controversial “citizenship bill” which excludes adherents of the world’s second-largest religion. According to CNN, the Citizenship (Amendment)... read the complete article
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