Arab and Muslim Americans Mobilize Against Federal Repression
Arab and Muslim American communities across the United States are organizing to push back against a wave of federal repression and rising Islamophobia, as documented in a recent Nonprofit Quarterly report published on May 15, 2025. Led by prominent advocates and civil rights organizations, these efforts respond to increased government scrutiny, surveillance, and detentions targeting individuals based on their faith, ethnicity, or political activism. The surge in repression is amplified by backlash against the Palestinian solidarity movement and has sparked widespread concern among civil liberties groups, legal experts, and affected communities.
The Resurgence of Federal Repression
Federal actions targeting Arab and Muslim Americans have escalated in recent months, with reports of street-level detentions, surveillance, and investigations into community institutions. Videos circulating on social media depict individuals being detained without clear cause, fueling fear and uncertainty within these communities. “I think there’s a lot of uncertainty right now. The US government is kidnapping and abducting people from our community,” said Linda Sarsour, a nationally prominent Palestinian American organizer from Brooklyn, in an interview with Nonprofit Quarterly.
Nonprofits and grassroots activists are responding by providing legal support, organizing public demonstrations, and raising awareness about the erosion of civil rights. Advocacy groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) report that federal repression exploits long-standing Islamophobic sentiments in the United States, which predate the current administration but have intensified in the current political climate.
Islamophobia, A Persistent and Growing Threat
Islamophobia in the United States is not a new phenomenon, but recent data show a sharp increase in incidents and complaints. According to CAIR’s 2024 civil rights report, the organization received 8,658 complaints of Islamophobia in 2024—the highest number since it began tracking such cases in 1996. This marks a 7.3% increase from the previous year. The current wave of Islamophobia has been fueled by backlash to the Palestinian solidarity movement, with Muslims, Palestinians, Arabs, Jews, African Americans, and Asian Americans all targeted for their anti-genocide and anti-apartheid viewpoints, according to CAIR.
Discrimination against Muslim Americans is widespread. A 2017 Pew Research Center survey found that 48% of Muslims in the United States reported experiencing at least one instance of discrimination in the previous year. Employment discrimination is also on the rise, with Muslim Americans facing harassment, disciplinary action, and even termination for expressing pro-Palestinian views or practicing their faith openly.
Targeting Educators and Community Leaders
Recent cases highlight the real-world impact of federal repression and Islamophobia. In Philadelphia, Keziah Ridgeway, a Black Muslim teacher at Northeast High School, alleges she endured years of harassment over her faith and was disciplined when she spoke out in support of Palestine. Ridgeway filed a federal lawsuit against the School District of Philadelphia, claiming she was placed on administrative leave and removed from her classroom for eight months due to a smear campaign led by pro-Israel teachers and community members.
Ridgeway’s lawyers argue that thousands of emails were sent to the school district, City Council, and Governor Josh Shapiro, accusing her of antisemitism and demanding her termination. Despite a previously unblemished record and several teaching awards, Ridgeway’s support for Palestine allegedly sparked complaints among her colleagues, leading to an investigation, reassignment, and unpaid suspension.
Federal and State Investigations
Federal and state authorities have launched investigations into Muslim-led initiatives under the guise of national security and law enforcement. In Texas, the U.S. Department of Justice began a civil rights investigation into a planned Muslim-friendly housing development after Republican Senator John Cornyn raised concerns about “religious discrimination” and “sharia law”. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton amplified these concerns, framing the development as a threat despite no evidence of illegality or intent to establish a parallel legal system.
Critics argue that these investigations are politically motivated, designed to criminalize Muslim identity and suppress community development. “The presence of Muslims is being portrayed not as a right to be protected, but as a threat to be investigated,” according to critics cited by the Bridge Initiative at Georgetown University.
Immigration Detention and Free Speech
The federal government’s crackdown extends to immigration enforcement, with Muslim and Arab immigrants facing increased scrutiny and detention. In one high-profile case, a federal judge ordered the immediate release of Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University who was detained for two months in Texas without charges. Judge Patricia Giles of the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that the government failed to provide evidence justifying his detention and noted that his arrest appeared to be “for punitive reasons,” violating his First Amendment rights.
Suri, a scholar of peace and conflict resolution, had not been charged with any crime. His case underscores the chilling effect that federal repression can have on academic freedom and free speech, particularly for those critical of U.S. foreign policy or supportive of Palestinian rights.
The Role of Advocacy and Civil Society
Arab and Muslim American organizations are at the forefront of resistance, mobilizing legal resources, public education campaigns, and solidarity networks to protect their communities. Groups like CAIR, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), and local grassroots collectives document abuses, provide legal representation, and advocate for federal and state policy changes.
These efforts are supported by a broader coalition of civil rights, immigrant rights, and faith-based organizations, which recognize the federal repression's threat to democratic values and civil liberties. “Federal repression exploits widespread Islamophobia in the United States, which, of course, predates the current administration,” according to the Nonprofit Quarterly.
Islamophobia and Political Backlash
The current wave of repression is not occurring in isolation. It is part of a broader pattern of Islamophobia and xenophobia that has shaped U.S. policy and public discourse for decades. The post-9/11 era saw a dramatic expansion of surveillance and law enforcement powers targeting Muslim and Arab communities, with lasting consequences for civil rights and community trust.
Recent years have seen a resurgence of anti-Muslim rhetoric and policy, driven in part by the Trump administration’s hardline immigration agenda and its targeting of Muslims, Arabs, and other marginalized groups. The backlash against the Palestinian solidarity movement has further inflamed tensions, with activists, educators, and community leaders facing harassment, doxxing, and legal action for expressing their views.
The Scope of the Problem
The scale of Islamophobia and federal repression is reflected in the data. CAIR’s 2024 report documents a record number of complaints, with Muslims, Arabs, and other minority groups facing discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public life. The 82-page report, titled Unconstitutional Crackdowns: 2025 Civil Rights Report, details how individuals are targeted for their political beliefs, faith, and ethnicity.
Employment discrimination is a particular concern, with Muslim Americans reporting harassment, disciplinary action, and termination for expressing pro-Palestinian views or practicing their faith openly. The lawsuit filed by Keziah Ridgeway in Philadelphia is emblematic of this trend, highlighting the intersection of Islamophobia, racism, and political repression.
Community Leaders Speak Out
Community leaders and advocates are sounding the alarm about the erosion of civil rights and the need for collective action. “The US government is kidnapping and abducting people from our community,” said Linda Sarsour, pointing to the widespread fear and uncertainty among Arab and Muslim Americans.
Other activists emphasize the importance of solidarity and resistance. “We have to stand together because if they come for one of us, they can come for all of us,” said one grassroots organizer, who asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns. Civil society mobilization is seen as critical to protecting the rights and dignity of Arab and Muslim Americans in the face of federal repression.
Legal and Policy Challenges
The legal landscape is complex, with civil rights organizations facing an uphill battle against federal and state policies that target Arab and Muslim communities. Legal challenges, public advocacy, and grassroots organizing are essential tools in the fight against repression, but the path forward is uncertain.
Recent court rulings, such as the release of Badar Khan Suri, offer hope that the judiciary can check executive overreach. However, advocates caution that the broader pattern of repression requires sustained political and legal action to address systemic discrimination and protect constitutional rights.
The Impact on Education and Academic Freedom
The targeting of educators like Keziah Ridgeway highlights the threat to academic freedom and free speech in schools and universities. Teachers and professors who express pro-Palestinian views or support for human rights are increasingly subject to harassment, disciplinary action, and even termination.
This trend is not limited to K-12 education. Universities have also seen a rise in incidents targeting Muslim, Arab, and pro-Palestinian faculty and students. The recent case at UCLA, where faculty expressed shock and disgust over the administration’s disregard for the health and safety of students participating in Gaza solidarity protests, underscores the broader challenges facing academic communities.
The Role of Media and Public Perception
Media coverage of federal repression and Islamophobia plays a critical role in shaping public perception and policy. Advocacy organizations are working to amplify the voices of affected communities and counter misinformation and stereotypes. “The media has a responsibility to report accurately and fairly on the experiences of Arab and Muslim Americans,” said one civil rights advocate.
Public education campaigns are also essential to building solidarity and understanding across communities. By sharing stories of resilience and resistance, advocates hope to challenge the narrative that Arab and Muslim Americans are a threat and instead highlight their contributions to American society.
The Future of Resistance and Resilience
The fight against federal repression and Islamophobia is far from over. Arab and Muslim American communities continue to organize, advocate, and resist in the face of mounting challenges. Mobilizing civil society, legal action, and public education is critical to protecting civil rights and ensuring that the United States remains a country where all people can live free from fear and discrimination.
As the political climate evolves, advocates are preparing for a long-term struggle to defend democratic values and uphold the rights of marginalized communities. The resilience and determination of Arab and Muslim Americans offer hope that justice and equality can prevail, even in the face of adversity.