Anti-Muslim Racism and Islamophobia
Islamophobia is a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism, it targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim.
This definition emphasizes the link between institutional levels of Islamophobia and manifestations of such attitudes, triggered by the visibility of the victim’s perceived Muslim identity. This approach also interprets Islamophobia as a form of racism, whereby Islamic religion, tradition and culture are seen as a ‘threat’ to the Western values.
Some experts prefer the label 'anti-Muslim hatred,' fearing that the term 'Islamophobia' risks condemning all critiques of Islam and, therefore, could stifle freedom of expression. But international human rights law protects individuals, not religions. And Islamophobia may also affect non-Muslims, based on perceptions of nationality, racial or ethnic background (United Nations, 2021).
This video delves into the connections between overt racism and the more subtle, normalized forms of Islamophobia to illustrate their impact and harm.
Islamophobia Is. (2020, October 28). Islamophobia is…more than hate crimes [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ZfXni1R8fvg?si=4r7OnIuxbJcQdbhi
Further Reading on Anti-Muslim Racism and Health and Education
Resources
Islamophobia: A Public Health Crisis - eDialogue (CPSO)
Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) - Understanding and addressing Islamophobia through trauma-informed care
Toronto For All - Islamophobia
Muslim Advisory Council of Canada - Scoping Review: Research on Islamophobia in Healthcare Settings
Islamophobia (updated August 2024) - Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)
Canadian Islamic History Month (updated September 20, 2023) - Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)
Religious inclusion (updated October 17, 2023) - Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)
Supporting Muslim Health and Communities
Expand Your Understanding Through Western EDI’s Comprehensive Module:
Sources:
United Nations. (2021). International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/observances/anti-islamophobia-dayFurqan, Z., Malick, A., Zaheer, J., & Sukhera, J. (2022). Understanding and addressing Islamophobia through trauma-informed care. CMAJ, 194(21), E746-E747. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/194/21/E746
Awan, I., & Zempi, I. (2020). A Working Definition of Islamophobia. Briefing Paper prepared for the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Human Rights Council. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Religion/Islamophobia-AntiMuslim/Civil%20Society%20or%20Individuals/ProfAwan-2.pdf
