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SearchToday in Islamophobia: In the US, a congressional hearing on hate crimes drew charges of the bigotry it was meant to address after a Republican senator accused the sole Arab American witness of supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, elsewhere, the Indian American Muslim Council and ReThink Media have published a new report which found that 80% of Indian Muslims living in the US say they suffer from some form of discrimination from Hindu Nationalists, and in Australia, Independent Senator Fatima Payman has accused mainstream media of reducing Muslim women to “stereotypes” and singled out Rupert Murdoch, alleging that media moguls like him cause “division” and “fearmongering”. Our recommended read of the day is by Bridge Initiative Senior Researcher Farid Hafez for Al Jazeera on how far-right groups such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) aren’t the “driver” of Islamophobia in the country but a symptom of the normalization of anti-Muslim bigotry in society. This and more below:
Germany
What’s behind Germany’s raging Islamophobia | Recommended Read
Analysts have pointed to the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a driver of the rightward shift. Indeed, the party has been making significant gains at the national and state levels. At the start of the month, it won the elections in the eastern state of Thuringia with 32.8 percent. In the eastern state of Saxony, it came second with 30.6 percent, just 1.3 percentage points behind the centre-right Christian Democrats. But the electoral successes of the AfD are not a driver; they are a symptom of a general tendency in German politics to normalise and engage in the demonisation and scapegoating of Muslims. Members of the ruling coalition have repeatedly denounced “Islamism” in Germany. The leader of the Green Party in the Bundestag, Katharina Dröge, went as far as claiming in a recent statement that “the poison of Islam reaches people’s minds also here, not just abroad”; later correcting herself that she meant “Islamism” instead of “Islam.” Words of warning about an “Islamist threat” are not just in the mouths of German politicians, they are also all over official documents and policy declarations of German institutions. The Bavarian branch of this federal office has gone even further and introduced on its website the notion of “legalist Islamism”, which it defines as a way to pursue “extremist goals by political means within the existing legal system”. It clarifies: “Legalist Islamists attempt to influence politics and society through lobbying [and] present themselves as open, tolerant and open to dialogue to the outside world, while anti-democratic and totalitarian tendencies persist within the organisations.” Essentially, this concept can criminalise any group of Muslims who organise politically or socially and conduct their activities within the bounds of the law. It marks any expression of tolerance or openness by Muslims as suspect because it can be a “legalist Islamist pretence”. read the complete article
United States
Civil rights groups condemn senator’s questioning of Arab American witness
A congressional hearing on hate crimes drew charges of the bigotry it was meant to address after a Republican senator told the female Muslim head of a thinktank to “hide your head in a bag” and accused her of supporting Hamas and Hezbollah. John Kennedy, the GOP senator for Louisiana, drew condemnation from Democrats as well as Muslim, Jewish and civil liberties groups for the remark, aimed at Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, at a hearing staged by the Senate judiciary committee. The proceedings witnessed further disruption when Ted Cruz, the Republican senator for Texas, was interrupted by a spectator protesting the number of Palestinians killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza. “You talk about the fucking Jews and the Israelis. Talk about the 40,000. Talk about all these people. Why is it about antisemitism?” the protester shouted, before being ejected from the chamber. Republicans criticised the theme of Tuesday’s hearing – set by the committee’s Democratic chair, Dick Durbin – for conflating antisemitism with bigotry against Muslims, Arabs and other groups. Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, condemned what he called a “discriminatory and vitriolic attack” on Berry. “To use a hearing about the disturbing rise in anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and antisemitic hate crimes to launch personal and discriminatory attacks on an expert witness they’ve invited to testify is both outrageous and inappropriate,” he said. read the complete article
Sen. John Kennedy used a Senate hearing on hate crimes to spew hate
On Tuesday, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, Maya Berry, appeared as a witness before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify on an issue that should garner concern across the political spectrum: hate crimes. In both her prepared statement and her testimony, Berry apprised lawmakers of the need for stronger enforcement of the law to tackle the country’s growing "hate crime crisis." It’s difficult to imagine how a reasonable person could take issue with Berry’s comments, other than to interrogate how effective the hate crime enforcement model is. But in a shocking display, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., demonstrated that he is not a reasonable person. Kennedy used the hearing as an opportunity to launch a series of racist attacks on Berry, centered around accusations that she supports terrorism. His repugnant broadsides were a stunning illustration both of why the panel was being held in the first place and how politicians use ad hominem attacks to try to silence criticism of Israel. What a shameful display. Berry was called in as an expert from a civil rights organization to talk about the domestic issue of hate crimes. But the Kennedy was only interested in smearing an Arab American witness as a supporter of foreign American adversaries. He did so not by referring to her past conduct or positions, but simply putting words in her mouth, and then refusing to accept any of her statements as true. The only reasonable explanation for Kennedy’s behavior is that he believes that her identity as Arab American is sufficient to define her as a supporter of terrorism. read the complete article
80% Of Indian Muslims In The US Say They Suffer Discrimination From Hindu Nationalists
A majority of Indian American Muslims living in the United States said they have experienced discrimination due to the rise of Hindu nationalism, an ideology that has fostered “an environment of intolerance” in and outside of India, a new report released on Wednesday found. The survey, which polled 950 Indian Muslims living in the U.S. and was compiled by the Indian American Muslim Council and ReThink Media, revealed the trend, tying it to the political ideology of Hindu nationalism among Indian immigrants. The study’s aim is to offer a deeper look at how Hindu nationalist ideology — particularly following the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party — has led to increased Islamophobia abroad. Among the poll’s key findings: 90% of survey respondents agreed (73% of them strongly) that Hindu nationalism “is a threat to Muslims in the United States,” and 86% agreed (69% strongly) that Hindu nationalism “is a threat to democracy in the United States.” read the complete article
Torturers for Harris
Recently, lifelong Republican and torture enthusiast Dick Cheney joined his daughter Liz and endorsed Kamala Harris for president, citing the threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump. Harris said she was “honored” to have the backing of such “respected” people, and touted the Cheneys’ support at last week’s presidential debate. Last Thursday, former Bush attorney general and—you guessed it—torture apologist Alberto Gonzales also endorsed Harris, expressing his “faith in her character and judgment” and calling her opponent “the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generation.” As someone who has represented tortured clients at Guantánamo Bay, the sight of these two men, both of whom played such key roles in advancing the Bush administration’s embrace of torture, endorsing Harris is distasteful enough. To see Harris embrace the support of such people is even worse. These developments raise certain questions, among them: What does it say about our current political environment that men who endorsed torture can’t hold their noses and vote for Trump? What are democracy and the rule of law good for, if not preventing the kind of torture regime they are responsible for? And what should it tell us about Harris that the Dick Cheneys of the world have found a welcoming political home with her campaign? read the complete article
GOP senator’s “discriminatory and vitriolic attack” shows Republicans weaponized anti-Muslim bigotry
In the midst of Donald Trump spewing lies demonizing Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio causing a spike in hate and bomb threats in the small midwestern town — Republican Senator John Kennedy opened up a new front in the GOP’s war on non-white people. This latest assault came Tuesday in the form of baseless and vile accusations of terrorism by Kennedy against a leader in the Arab and Muslim American community. Ironically, Kennedy’s assault occurred during a Senate hearing to combat this very type of bigotry. Even before Tuesday’s exchange in the Senate hearing titled, "A Threat to Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of Hate Crimes in America," Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, had already pushed back against people like GOP Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina who objected to addressing hate crimes against Arab and Muslims—demanding instead the sole focus be on anti-Semitism. Apparently the fact that Muslims and Arabs in 2023 experienced a record number of hate crimes—including the murder of six-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoume in Oct. 2023 by a man yelling anti-Palestinian comments-didn’t merit concern by Graham. The lack of surprise to Kennedy’s remarks comes from the fact that the GOP under Trump has become in essence an anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate group. While anti-Muslim bigotry simmered in the GOP for years after 9/11, Trump weaponized it in ways never before seen during his 2016 campaign—much like he’s currently doing versus the Black immigrants in Ohio. Trump fabricated stories that “thousands” of Muslims in New Jersey cheered on 9/11 as the Twin Towers collapsed. He claimed Muslims in our nation were protecting terrorists, that Muslims were leaving mosques with “hatred and death in their eyes” and that “Islam hates us.” All of this built to a hate-filled crescendo when Trump in December 2015 called for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.” read the complete article
A Blue Springs woman was removed from a roller coaster for wearing hijab. Was it racist?
Hadil Alqarini of Blue Springs loves roller coasters. Alqarini and her family immigrated to the United States from Jordan when she was 13. One of her first American memories? Riding the Mamba steel roller coaster at Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun amusement park. That was 24 years ago, when she was a young Muslim teenager who wore a hijab, an Islamic head covering, everywhere — including on roller coasters — to honor her faith. Fast forward to Sept. 13, Alqarini is a grown Muslim woman with a husband of 15 years who hates roller coasters and three children, still proudly wearing her hijab. It started as another enjoyable night of roller coaster rides, but ended with Alqarini spending more than three hours in a Worlds of Fun office filing a report after a worker removed her from a roller coaster because of her hijab. read the complete article
United Kingdom
Being a Swiftie and experiencing Islamophobia
On July 31, three young children died in a horrific stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. The tragedy shook the town of Southport in England to its core and the world as a whole. There was no explanation for this act of violence towards little girls who were simply excited to engage in activities and music that they loved, no explanation but hatred. Before the attacker was named, online rumours circulated about the name and history of the suspect — that he was an immigrant, a Muslim. Billions of people viewed these rumours online, and the availability of a “name” and “identity” — without evidence — is enough for some to draw their own conclusions and narratives. This is especially prevalent because of the increased sentiments of Islamophobia in the United Kingdom — associations of an entire religion with violence that no human faith would endorse. The days before the identification of the suspect as UK-born Axel Rudakubana were riddled with riots spurred by the far-right inciting violence against migrants and Muslims. The unnecessary violence against the little girls, instead of leading to productive action and discourse, simply led to more unnecessary violence that made more people feel unsafe — online and in real life. As a Muslim who started wearing the hijab last year, I’ve already been wary of derogatory treatment from society because of my choice to become a visible minority. Even though the riots and violence have been mostly localized to the United Kingdom, I’ve been getting the sense more often that others associate me in their minds with barbarity, which is nowhere close to the beliefs I practise in my (and most other Muslims’) interpretation of faith. However, I heard about the Southport stabbings first from a “Swiftie” perspective. Over the past month, I’ve witnessed a lot of Islamophobia from a community that used to bring me so much solace and solidarity in something I love on top of the societal prejudices that come from just anyone. This isn’t even the only recent event that has complicated my interest in the culture around Swift’s music as a Muslim, inflating Islamophobia in these communities. read the complete article
'We couldn't leave our home for a week after riots'
Outside the mosque he manages in Stoke-on-Trent, Farouk Farage is reflecting on a "horrifying" few days in August, when riots unfolded in the streets. “It was very hard...with my daughters, my son and my wife, we effectively stayed inside our house for a week. "For some kids it must have felt like jail," he said. The scenes they witnessed on 3 August were terrifying, with riot police deployed when hundreds of people protested in the wake of the deaths of three young girls in Southport. Missiles were thrown at officers and Islamophobic chants directed towards the mosque, Sallahuddin Masjid. Children in a dance show were locked inside a theatre for their safety. Mr Farag said those who targeted them – yelling abuse and throwing stones at cars - have left a fear that is still being felt, an anxiety that can’t easily be shaken off. read the complete article
Australia
Dutton suggests apology for calling Lebanese-Muslim migration a ‘mistake’ made to ‘senior person’ in community
Peter Dutton has suggested his claim he apologised for remarks about “Lebanese-Muslim” migration being a “mistake” was based on a conversation with just one “senior person” in the community. The opposition leader has come under renewed scrutiny for his 2016 comments due to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald noting that, despite having claimed in 2023 to have apologised, community leaders cannot recall him having done so. In November 2016 Dutton, then the immigration minister, told Sky News’s Andrew Bolt that “the reality is that Malcolm Fraser did make mistakes in bringing some people in the 1970s and we’re seeing that today”. Dutton then doubled down in question time, claiming Fraser should not have let people of “Lebanese-Muslim” background into Australia by citing as evidence a small cohort of individuals who have been charged with terrorism offences. In 2023, when asked by Annabel Crabb on the ABC’s Kitchen Cabinet if it was a racist remark, Dutton replied: “You know they’re comments that I shouldn’t have made. I’ve apologised for that.” Five leaders of Australia’s Lebanese Muslim community interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald reportedly said they have no recollection of Dutton making that apology. read the complete article
Labor back at square one on Islamophobia envoy as Greens dismiss 'token' role
Labor has gone back to the drawing board in its long-running search for an Islamophobia envoy, as the Greens call for the position to be scrapped altogether. More than two months ago, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared the appointment would be made “shortly” as he unveiled Jillian Segal as Australia’s envoy on antisemitism. The government then approached at least five individuals over the following weeks, but all of them either pulled out of the process or were deemed unsuitable. Labor’s search has been criticised as superficial by influential community leaders, who have complained that consultation has been minimal. That prompted fears the role would be tokenistic, with the government installing a favourable candidate as it seeks to head off anger over its stance on Gaza. But two sources with knowledge of the process say that has begun to change under new Immigration Minister Tony Burke, who is actively reaching out to the community for their advice. And in a rarity since the search began, the government is not narrowing in on a single candidate. read the complete article