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SearchToday in Islamophobia: In Spain, a rare up-tick in anti-migrant violence which recently rocked a Spanish town demonstrates how online disinformation feeds xenophobic hate speech, meanwhile in the United States, a 16-year-old boy has been accused of plotting to commit an act of terror at a suburban Islamic center, according to officials in DuPage County, and in India, as political voices grow louder and social media amplifies hate-filled rhetoric, many Indian Muslims feel they are being cornered, not for any crime, but for simply holding on to their faith. Our recommended read of the day is by Ahmed Moor for The Guardian on how the uptick in Islamophobic rhetoric following the victory of Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani has exposed the “deep roots” of American Islamophobia. This and more below:
United States
New York’s mayoral race exposes the deep roots of American Islamophobia
My only interaction with the FBI came soon after 11 September 2001. A man and woman visited my family’s home in Philadelphia – we had recently moved from Palestine – showed their credentials and asked to enter. My parents invited them in and a conversation about political views followed. They left soon afterwards but I knew we were suspect, and I understood why. At the time, I was in high school. Two or three years later, one of my sisters, who wore the hijab then, was confronted by an elderly white man at a department store. “What’s the significance of the trash you’re wearing on your head?” he asked. Just a few years ago I was traveling through JFK airport from a trip abroad. I was pulled out of line for a side conversation – a semi-regular occurrence – when a policeman with a bull face said: “Do you hate America?” Pure bait. Watching Zohran Mamdani’s treatment in the run-up to his commanding victory over the Democratic establishment caused me to reflect on these experiences. It was Mamdani’s victory in the primary – and the national attention he has justifiably received – that caused the sluice gates to open. Brandon Gill, a representative from Texas, posted a video of the young democratic socialist eating biryani with his hand, appending a note, saying: “Civilized people in America don’t eat like this.” Andy Ogles, another Republican congressman, has called for Mamdani’s citizenship to be withdrawn, a new front in the Republican war on everything. Meanwhile, Randy Fine, a Florida representative, has decried the emerging “caliphate” of New York. Comically – you have to have a sense of humor about some things – Marjorie Taylor Green posted a picture of the Statue of Liberty cloaked in the niqab. Mamdani’s rise, which is a threat to a weak Democratic leadership, will only invite more racist attacks. This is Trump’s America now; bad faith arguments and unmasked bigotry have attained new heights in public discussions. But Islamophobia has deep institutional roots. The phenomenon, a messy amalgam of racist tropes ensnaring Sikhs, assorted south Asians and Middle Easterners, is durable and widespread. Hopes that Barack Hussein Obama’s election in 2008 would take the edge off were premature. It’s worth examining why. read the complete article
Mamdani’s win signifies hope and a political voice for Muslim Americans
Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City’s Democratic primary for mayor has a group of Pakistani American aunties and uncles so excited that they are wondering if they should have given their own children more freedom in choosing their careers. “What if we let our kids become politicians, and not just doctors and engineers?” a member of the grassroots political organizing group, DRUM Beats, asked at a small celebration held at an Islamic school last month in south Brooklyn. DRUM Beats, which represents New York City’s working class South Asian and Indo-Caribbean populations, was one of the first grassroots groups to endorse Mamdani, when he launched his campaign in October – long before he became a household name. Mamdani’s campaign has piqued the interest of many South Asian Americans, as well as a diverse population of Muslims – not only because of his identity, but his platform, too. Many Muslims, even those who may not fully agree with Mamdani’s approach on every issue, see his rise as a sign of hope in a city where racism and Islamophobia erupted following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Since winning the Democratic primary, Mamdani has faced Islamophobic smears online, and from both sides of the political aisle. Republican Congressman Andy Ogles demanded the use of material support for terrorism charges against Mamdani, without providing evidence, and urged that he be deported. (The Bush administration used these charges after 9/11 to shut down the nation’s biggest Muslim and pro-Palestinian charities, in what civil rights groups argue were often politically motivated investigations.) Donald Trump has since falsely questioned Mamdani’s citizenship and the administration’s Homeland Security Advisory Council is already looking into him. While New York City’s roughly 1 million Muslims aren’t enough to decide November’s election, Mamdani has become wildly popular with Muslims nationwide. read the complete article
Lombard teen accused of plotting act of terror at Glendale Heights Islamic center, possessing gun
A 16-year-old Lombard boy has been accused of plotting to commit an act of terror at a suburban Islamic center, officials said Friday. The boy appeared in DuPage County court Friday morning and was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and attempted terrorism, the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, FBI and U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois said. Officials said on July 4, the boy entered the Islamic Education Center in the 1200-block of Goodrich Avenue in Glendale Heights and recorded video of religious services to "assist in preparation for detonating an explosive device at that location." Prosecutors also allege that on July 12, the boy had a gun that "was of a size that could be concealed upon his person." read the complete article
With plea deals canceled, what happens next with the Guantanamo 9/11 trials?
Plea deals with the 9/11 defendants, including for the alleged ringleader, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, have been canceled. Families of those who died on September 11th are still calling for justice. What happens next in the most delayed criminal trial in US history? NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with Georgetown University Law professor Stephen Vladeck. read the complete article
United Kingdom
Factfile: The UK government’s Islamophobia working group
With hate crimes against Muslims at a record high, a new parliamentary working group on Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred has been formed to pin down a definition of the prejudice. Initial consultation closed on Sunday 20 July. It asked for: Advice on terminology, The need for a definition, Whether racism should be a component of any new definition, and Examples of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia. Led by Dominic Grieve KC, who served as attorney-general from 2010 to 2014, the working group comprises “representatives from Muslim communities, independent experts, and academics” according to the government website. It also includes Professor Javed Khan, managing director of the Equi think tank; Baroness Gohir, chief executive of Muslim Women’s Network UK; Akeela Ahmed, co-chair of the newly launched British Muslim Network; and independent consultant Asha Affi. For many it is a long-awaited piece of work that will improve the lives of British Muslims, enhance community cohesion, and allow the challenges and obstacles faced by the community to be seen and acknowledged. However, the proposal of a new definition has drawn criticism from some who believe it will afford Muslims special protections. Others, such as Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, suggest the working group could lead to a definition akin to a blasphemy law and restrict free speech. read the complete article
Two UK pro-Palestine organisations have bank accounts frozen
At least two grassroots pro-Palestine organisations in the UK have had their bank accounts frozen, raising fears about a wider attempt to silence voices speaking out about Gaza. Greater Manchester Friends for Palestine (GMFP) and Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), which both organise peaceful protests and vigils, have had access to their funds cut off indefinitely by Virgin Money and Unity Trust bank respectively. The Guardian understands a local PSC branch in England has also had its bank account frozen but was unable to confirm it directly. Coming amid the banning of Palestine Action earlier this month and the arrest of more than 100 people for showing support for the group, and the threatened arrest of a peaceful protester for having a Palestine flag and “Free Gaza” sign, it has amplified concerns about a crackdown on critics of Israel. read the complete article
India
Mosques and Madrasas Under Scrutiny as Muslims Defend Faith and Identity
While many Hindus are familiar with temples and priests, few understand what truly happens inside a Madrassa or a Mosque. As political voices grow louder and social media amplifies hate-filled rhetoric, many Indian Muslims feel they are being cornered, not for any crime, but for simply holding on to their faith. “Mosques and madrassa are not places of hate. They are homes of prayer and learning,” said Maulana Mufti Irfan Qasmi, an Islamic scholar based in Lucknow. “It’s painful that our holy places are questioned while our loyalty to this country is doubted.” The mosque, known in Arabic as Masjid, is where Muslims gather five times a day to offer prayers. The Friday sermon (Khutba) is a key event when a large number of men attend the mosque to listen to spiritual guidance from an Imam. It is not just a ritual but an occasion to encourage community unity, address social issues, and educate people about justice, kindness, and good behaviour. “Our mosque teaches us to be better human beings,” said Mohammad Azhar, a 45-year-old shopkeeper from Hyderabad. “We are told to speak the truth, stay away from cheating and help the poor. What’s wrong with that?” In some cities, these sacred spaces are seen as suspicious or “hotbeds of radicalisation.” But such accusations are based more on prejudice than proof. read the complete article
What's behind anti-Muslim 'eviction drives' in India's Assam?
The latest killing of a Muslim man by police fire during an eviction drive in India's Assam on Thursday has once again put the spotlight on the state's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's controversial stance on the Muslim issue. A former member of the Indian National Congress (INC), Sarma joined the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2015 and has been increasingly making news for his anti-Muslim views. The Assam police, working in tandem with the state forest department, carried out an eviction operation in the Paikan Reserve Forest area in Goalpara district to evict residents who they deemed as “illegal infiltrators” from Bangladesh. The police action killed at least one person, a Muslim man, reported Maktoob Media. Another person was critically injured while dozens more were hurt. The injured, according to local media, were rushed to a hospital in Guwahati for treatment. Tensions escalated when the residents, the majority of them Bengali-speaking Muslims, resisted their forced removal. The official reasoning by the state authorities suggests that they want to clear 140 hectares of forest land. But this has inevitably led to the displacement of 1,080 families, mostly Muslims of Bengali origin. read the complete article
Spain
Disinformation a catalyst in anti-migrant far-right violence in Spain
The rare anti-migrant violence that recently rocked a Spanish town demonstrated how online disinformation feeds xenophobic hate speech, which leapt from screens to real life with the support of politicians, experts said. Last weekend’s unrest in the southeastern town of Torre Pacheco pitted far-right groups against immigrant residents, mainly of Moroccan origin, but a heavy police presence prevented serious confrontations. The altercations were sparked after a 68-year-old pensioner said three men of North African origin attacked him without provocation on July 9. Two days later, the conservative-led city council organised a protest against insecurity, which quickly escalated when far-right groups joined with hostile slogans against immigrants. That day, and for several nights, riots broke out in the streets of the southeastern city of 40,000. Authorities have arrested 14 people, including three suspected of involvement in the attack on the retiree. Also among those detained is the leader of the far-right “Deport Them Now” group, who allegedly called for a “hunt” of migrants on social media. read the complete article
Hundreds protest against mosque attack on outskirts of Barcelona
Piera has 17,000 inhabitants and is just 55 kilometers inland from Barcelona. Late on Friday night, the city saw over 400 people, according to local police, demonstrating against an attack on the city's mosque in the early hours of July 12. The rally started in the Gall Mullat park and after almost a two-hour walk, it reached the mosque where the Islamic community and other organizations condemned the attack, as well as "hate speech, islamophobia, and the constant criminalization of several groups." During the rally, people chanted, "We are neighbors, we are diverse," "Yes to the mosque, no to hate," or "antifascist Catalonia." Residents and politicians attended the protest, except members of the Spanish far-right Vox, the Catalan far-right Aliança Catalana, or the conservative People's Party. read the complete article
Czech Republic
Hidden Muslim Communities in the Basements of Prague
As a Muslim myself, although I did not grow up in a Muslim country, there was a major Muslim community present in my life. Classes on Islam were available every evening, there was a big mosque, as well as numerous Ramadan events and organized Eid celebrations. When I moved to Prague, I faced quite a culture shock. Beyond religious isolation, I also experienced personal challenges that made me question my place here. It was in Prague where I learned that I’m not white. Being called all sorts of names on the streets, having people hide their bags from me on a tram, and having problems renting apartments because “I'm not Czech”, which only became a problem once the landlord had seen me in person, was a major learning curve for me. But I knew my experience wasn’t unique. To understand how others like me try to manage their faith here, I spoke to Prague Muslims, each carrying their own quiet stories of isolation and love. Sheyaun, an American Pakistani, says, “I never noticed the color of my skin until I moved to the Czech Republic. Even the question ‘where are you from?’ would be met with skepticism and doubt if I replied that I was from America.” Samir left Ukraine in 2022 to flee the war, and Prague became his new home. Grateful for the opportunity to escape, he went on a search for a spiritual life in Prague, only to find that in Prague faith is often invisible and that the religious community he was used to wasn’t waiting for him in his new home. “I didn’t find a place that felt like my religious home,” says Samir. Despite visiting several mosques in Prague, he, like many others, struggles to feel a sense of belonging in what he describes as a room hidden in the basement rather than a mosque. read the complete article