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SearchToday in Islamophobia: In Sri Lanka, government officials are withholding exam results from 70 Muslim women and girls because their head coverings allegedly “covered their ears” while they took their exams, an action which Human Rights Watch states is a violation of their freedom of religious expression, meanwhile in the US, Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled an annual report on global religious freedom, which showcased a rare criticism of India, as well as noting a concerning trend of increased antisemitism and Islamophobia worldwide in connection to Israel’s war in Gaza, and in France, due in no small part to rising Islamophobic rhetoric, the country is reportedly seeing a “brain drain” among its educated young Muslims, according to a new academic book. Our recommended read of the day is by Anemona Hartocollis for The New York Times on how two independent Harvard task forces on antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias each found a climate of discrimination and harassment on campus. This and more below:
United States
Harvard Task Forces Find Climate of Bias for Both Jewish and Muslim Groups | Recommended Read
Harvard’s task forces on antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias each found a climate of discrimination and harassment on campus, writing in preliminary reports released on Wednesday that the situation for pro-Israel students was “dire” and that pro-Palestinian students were being suppressed. The antisemitism task force cited reports of teaching fellows discriminating against or harassing students because they were Israeli or pro-Israel. It added that there was an ideological “litmus test” for extracurricular activities that made it impossible for some students to participate. On the other hand, the investigation into anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias on campus found that the freedom of expression of Palestinian and pro-Palestinian students had been broadly suppressed, leaving them in “a state of uncertainty, abandonment, threat and isolation” and in “a pervasive climate of intolerance.” The report said that many students felt the words “Palestine” and “Palestinian” had become taboo on campus. Among other recommendations, the task force urged the school to appoint a visiting professor in Palestinian studies, and, in the long run, recruit tenure-track faculty members to expand the school’s curriculum related to Palestinian studies. It also recommended that the university clarify policies around bullying and bias. read the complete article
India
U.S. issues rare criticism of India in religious freedom report
The United States offered rare criticism of close partner India in a report published Wednesday on religious freedom, while also voicing alarm over rising bigotry worldwide against both Jews and Muslims. The United States offered rare criticism of close partner India in a report published Wednesday on religious freedom, while also voicing alarm over rising bigotry worldwide against both Jews and Muslims. Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled the annual report and said that the United States was also facing its own sharp increase of both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in connection to the Gaza war. “In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship of members of minority faith communities,” Mr. Blinken said. The US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain, faulted efforts by Indian police. In India, “Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities, or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges,” he said. read the complete article
‘Jai Palestine’: Why an Indian MP invoked Gaza war while taking oath
A usually staid swearing-in procedure where Indian parliamentarians take their oath of office has exploded into a controversy after veteran opposition legislator Asaduddin Owaisi chanted “Jai Palestine” after reading out the pledge on Tuesday. In Sanskrit, the word “jai” literally translates to victory, but is used more broadly to connote support, so in effect, Owaisi’s slogan amounted to: “Long live Palestine.” Parliamentarians from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have accused him of violating the very constitutional pledge he was taking by, according to them, demonstrating loyalty to another nation – a charge Owaisi has denied. So what really happened, why have Owaisi’s words become controversial, what else happened in the Indian Parliament on Tuesday and what’s next for Owaisi? The BJP’s Chhatra Pal Singh Gangwar ended his oath with “Jai Hindu Rashtra” (Long live the Hindu nation). The BJP’s ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has long called for India to be made a Hindu state. Gangwar’s chant drew protest slogans from lawmakers belonging to the INDIA alliance. read the complete article
France
Is rising Islamophobia pushing a Muslim brain drain in France?
Amidst rising anti-Islamic rhetoric, France is reportedly seeing a brain drain among its educated young Muslims, according to a new academic book. As the country gears up for snap elections, concerns are growing over further alienation of the largest Muslim population in the EU. The potential departure of these individuals also raises questions about how it might impact France's relationship with its allies. read the complete article
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Blocks Exam Results over Muslim Head Coverings
Government officials in Sri Lanka are withholding exam results from 70 Muslim women and girls because their head coverings allegedly covered their ears while they took their exams. The decision violates the students’ right to freedom of religion and further entrenches discrimination widely experienced by Muslims in Sri Lanka. The students, many from relatively low-income families living near the eastern city of Trincomalee, took their A-levels (advanced level) in January. Instead of the more tight-fitting hijab, they wore loose, “transparent” white shawls to cover their heads to comply with a regulation that candidates’ ears must be visible to prevent cheating. Those supervising allowed the exam to proceed. Nevertheless, the government’s Department of Examination determined the students had worn hijabs, which could have allowed them to conceal Bluetooth earpieces, and withheld their results when other students received their exam grades on May 31. They now risk being denied a chance for a university education. read the complete article