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SearchToday in Islamophobia: In the US, the Senate passed a resolution this week honoring Wadea Al-Fayoume, the 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy from Plainfield murdered last October in what authorities called an anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian hate crime, meanwhile in the UK, police have removed anti-immigration posters from the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey following community concerns, and lastly, the European Court of Human Rights has referred a case in which two women have filed a complaint about a ban on wearing the burkini in a municipal swimming pool in Antwerp back to Belgium. Our recommended read of the day is by Ermin Sinanović for TRT World on how the constant violence against Muslims in countries like Lebanon and Palestine feeds Islamophobia, sanctioning anti-Muslim rhetoric, policies, and violence in the West and around the world. This and more below:
International
Violence against Palestinians is fueling a global surge in anti-Muslim hate | Recommended Read
During the recent United States Senate hearing on hate crimes in America, Republican senators repeatedly asked Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, if she supported Hamas and Hezbollah and accused her of anti-Semitism. Their anti-Muslim and anti-Arab prejudice was as clearly on display as it was difficult to watch. From the top levels of many Western governments to the media and everyday life, Islamophobia – together with anti-Arab prejudice – has returned to levels we have not witnessed since the years immediately following the 9/11 attacks. The uptick in verbal and physical attacks is closely tied to the violence that's being perpetrated against Muslims in the never-ending wars of aggression against Muslim lands and nations around the world. As a result of the colonial violence in Gaza and its echoes across the globe, Islamophobia is rampant today and has been on the rise during the past year. This constant violence against Muslims in countries like Lebanon and Palestine feeds Islamophobia, sanctioning anti-Muslim violence in the West and globally. Many Western governments and politicians exacerbate the situation by using inflammatory rhetoric, as in the recent Senate hearings. read the complete article
United States
Detroit Evening Report: Hate crimes in US reached all-time high in 2023, FBI data shows
New data published by the FBI this week shows that 2023 saw the highest number of hate crime reports in the U.S. since the agency began tracking such incidents more than three decades ago. The report shows an increase in religious-based hate crimes, especially anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and antisemitic crimes. There were almost 12,000 incidents reported to the FBI last year. Crimes reported against the LGBTQ+ community also increased by 7%. read the complete article
US Senate passes resolution honoring Palestinian-American boy killed in alleged Plainfield hate crime
The Senate passed a resolution this week honoring Wadea Al-Fayoume, the 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy from Plainfield murdered last October in what authorities called an anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian hate crime. The resolution states that “no one should be a target of hate because of their ethnicity or religion, whether such ethnicity or religion is expressed verbally or through how one dresses, such as through the wearing of a hijab, keffiyeh, turban, mitpahat, tichel, shpitzel, sheitel, kippah, or yarmulke,” and that the U.S. “has zero tolerance for hate crimes, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab discrimination.” Hanan Shaheen, Wadea’s mother, was also stabbed during the attack. Their landlord, Joseph Czuba, has been charged with the killing and with wounding Shaheen. Durbin said in a statement, “By passing this resolution, the United States Senate is honoring and remembering Wadea’s life and condemning all forms of hate.” read the complete article
Survey shows 91% of Washington Muslims face Islamophobia, urges political change
The Washington Muslim Survey 2024, conducted by CAIR-WA, reveals critical insights into the experiences and challenges faced by the Muslim community in Washington state. The survey, which polled 684 Muslims aged 13 and older, gathered data on issues ranging from discrimination to civic engagement and political priorities. It paints a complex picture of a community facing widespread Islamophobia while also actively engaging in social and political matters. A staggering 82.5% of respondents reported experiencing some form of discrimination in the past year, and 91.7% reported discrimination over their lifetime. These discriminatory experiences ranged from being treated unfairly in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods to more direct encounters with law enforcement. The survey found that visibly Muslim individuals—those who wear religious or cultural attire—were more likely to experience bias, such as being treated with less respect in public spaces, receiving poorer service, and feeling unsafe due to their identity. The survey highlights that discrimination is not limited to the individual but is compounded by global events, such as the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Nearly 40% of respondents reported experiencing heightened discrimination since the beginning of the violence in Gaza in 2023, reflecting how international issues can exacerbate local tensions for minority communities. read the complete article
US Muslim group endorses Harris, says Trump bigger danger
U.S. Muslim advocacy group Emgage Action on Wednesday endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris despite its ongoing concern over the war in Gaza, saying former President Donald Trump posed a greater danger with his promise to reinstate travel restrictions affecting majority-Muslim countries. The endorsement comes as the 2024 race between Harris and Trump remains very tight ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Arab American and Muslim voters may play a decisive role in the outcome in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and other battleground states. These voters helped President Joe Biden defeat Trump in 2020 by thousands of votes. Many Muslim groups, including Emgage Action, have criticized the Biden administration, where Harris serves as vice president, for its support of Israel's war in Gaza. Harris has urged an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, saying she supports Israel's right to defend itself as well as the Palestinians' right to self-determination. "While we do not agree with all of Harris’ policies, particularly on the war on Gaza, we are approaching this election with both pragmatism and conviction," Emgage CEO Wa'el Alzayat said in a statement, adding it sought to provide "honest guidance to our voters regarding the difficult choice they confront at the ballot box." read the complete article
United Kingdom
Anti-immigration posters removed from Rathcoole
Police have removed anti-immigration posters from the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey following community concerns. The threatening posters, which were erected on poles, warned that anyone "facilitating the settlement of Muslims or illegals" in the area "will be held responsible". This image, which included a close-up of eyes, ended with the further threat "We are watching". The posters were taken down by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) after representations from members of the community. read the complete article
Green Lane Mosque opens doors to non-Muslims to smash stereotypes after UK riots
A Birmingham mosque wants to mend relationships after the summer's riots by welcoming non-Muslims to an interfaith open day. Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre organises the annual open day to allow people of all faiths to take tours, see prayers and have conversations with the Imam. This year holds special meaning after the UK riots where far-right violence plagued communities. The venue said it was now more important than ever to come together. The open day takes place on September 29 at the centre in Small Heath. #VisitMyMosque is part of a national campaign started by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) to open the doors to of mosques the public. The Green Lane venue will host events from noon to 3pm including a presentation on its work, a Q&A session with the imam, tours, prayer viewing and an Islamic exhibition. Last year the mosque welcomed hundreds of visitors and it draws visitors from schools and the public throughout the year. Haniya Aadam, press and media lead, said: "It is important we open the mosque to everybody and break down those misconceptions and stereotypes. It is important to have cohesion. We can have differences but still have respect. read the complete article
Belgium
Burkini ban case tossed back to Belgium by top human rights court
The European Court of Human Rights referred the case in which two women complained about the ban on wearing the burkini in a municipal swimming pool in Antwerp back to Belgium. The drawn-out court case dates back to 2017, when the two women were not allowed to enter the pool in their burkinis, a full-body swimsuit, on the basis of a municipal by-law. They argued that represented discrimination on the basis of religion, and took the case the court. According to ECHR, the claimants have not exhausted court options back home, and can still appeal to the Belgian Court of Cassation. The ECHR only rules on the case once the applicants have exhausted domestic remedies. The decision is final. Burkinis are worn largely by Muslim women to preserve modesty while upholding their faith. While Belgium never officially banned burkinis, the body-covering swimsuits are prohibited in the majority of swimming pools across the country. read the complete article