Lawmakers Reintroduce Combating International Islamophobia Act Amid Rising Global Concerns
Representatives Ilhan Omar, Jan Schakowsky, and Senator Cory Booker have reintroduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation aimed at addressing the alarming increase in Islamophobic incidents worldwide. The bill would establish a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia within the State Department and develop a comprehensive strategy for U.S. leadership in confronting global anti-Muslim bigotry.
The reintroduction comes as the United Nations recently observed the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15, 2025, highlighting growing concerns about anti-Muslim discrimination and violence across the globe.
Rising Tide of Islamophobia Prompts Legislative Action
The legislation requires the State Department to create a dedicated office to monitor and combat acts of Islamophobia in foreign countries. The Special Envoy would lead efforts to track incidents of physical violence, harassment against Muslims, and propaganda in government and non-government media that promotes hatred or incites violence against Muslim communities.
"Anti-Muslim bigotry is a global phenomenon," said Rep. Omar. "It is time for policymakers to understand these problems as interconnected and genuinely global. I'm proud to partner with Senator Cory Booker and Representative Jan Schakowsky to create a special envoy to end this bigotry."
The bill would also require the inclusion of Islamophobic incidents in the State Department's annual human rights reports and international religious freedom reports.
Previous Legislative Journey
This isn't the first attempt to pass such legislation. The House of Representatives passed the bill in December 2021 with a vote of 219-212, receiving support from the Biden Administration. However, it stalled in the Senate after being referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
"Last Congress, the House of Representatives made great progress by advancing our bill, which would establish a comprehensive plan for combating this hatred worldwide, but we must get it over the finish line. Let's do it," urged Rep. Schakowsky.
UN Recognition of Islamophobia
The reintroduction aligns with increased international attention to Islamophobia. In 2022, the United Nations designated March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, a date that commemorates the 2019 Christchurch Mosque shootings in New Zealand, where 51 Muslims were murdered.
Most recently, on March 15, 2025, various countries and organizations marked this international day with statements and initiatives addressing anti-Muslim discrimination.
Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice in Wales, noted in a statement: "National Hate Crime Statistics for England and Wales for 2023/2024 showed a 21% increase in religious hate crime in Wales, in comparison to the previous year. This demonstrates why work to tackle faith-based hate crime is needed."
Alarming Statistics Show Persistent Problem
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's most significant Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, recently released troubling data on the state of Islamophobia in the United States.
According to CAIR, its offices nationwide received 8,658 complaints in 2024—the highest number recorded since the organization began tracking complaints in 1996. This is a 7.4% increase from the 8,061 complaints received in 2023.
"Domestically, a new report issued by CAIR earlier this week reveals that Islamophobia continues to be at an all-time high across the country," CAIR stated in a press release marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Social Media Platforms Under Scrutiny
In their 2025 joint statement for the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, CAIR joined an international coalition of Muslim organizations and human rights groups to highlight concerns about the role of social media in spreading anti-Muslim sentiment.
"The massive profits social media platforms provide to corporations have generally rendered corporate leaders passive regarding the role of their platforms in operationalizing Islamophobia," the coalition stated.
The statement specifically referenced the Christchurch Mosque attacks, noting that the perpetrator streamed the violence live on Facebook, raising questions about the responsibility of tech platforms in monitoring and preventing the spread of extremist content.
Modeled After Anti-Semitism Envoy
The Combating International Islamophobia Act is modelled after the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism position, which was elevated to a cabinet-level position in recent years.
During her speech supporting the bill in a previous session of Congress, Rep. Omar emphasized this connection: "This legislation is modeled on the special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, and I was proud to co-sponsor and vote last Congress on legislation to elevate that envoy to a cabinet-level position because we must live in a world where everyone is free of persecution based on their religious background and beliefs."
Global Scope of Anti-Muslim Discrimination
Supporters of the legislation point to numerous examples of anti-Muslim discrimination and violence worldwide that demonstrate the need for coordinated international action.
In her congressional speech, Rep. Omar highlighted several concerning situations: "At its worst, it is Uyghurs in concentration camps in China and genocide against the Rohingya in Burma, but those atrocities are part of a deeper fabric of violence against Muslims and impunity for violence against Muslims at a global level."
She further noted concerns in India, Sri Lanka, Hungary, Belarus, Poland, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, emphasizing that "none of these things are happening in isolation."
Broad Coalition of Support
The legislation has garnered support from numerous civil rights, human rights, and faith-based organizations. According to previous statements made when the bill was first introduced, the organizations that endorsed it included the American Muslim Empowerment Network, American Muslims for Palestine, Americans for Peace Now, Center for Victims of Torture, Church World Service, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Human Rights First, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Oxfam America, and many others.
"Ensuring that people can practice their faith without fear of discrimination or violence is one of our nation's core values, and we must continue our urgent work to safeguard religious freedoms at home and abroad," said Senator Booker in a statement supporting the bill's reintroduction.
Pakistan's Leadership Role
Pakistan has positioned itself as a leading advocate in the global fight against Islamophobia. In a statement marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister highlighted the country's efforts.
"Pakistan has been a leading force in the global fight against Islamophobia. Working closely with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Pakistan played a crucial role in the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) historic decision to designate March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia."
The statement also noted Pakistan's role in the passage of another UNGA resolution urging states to implement laws criminalizing acts of Islamophobia and requiring the UN Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy to address the issue.
Prospects for Passage
With the bill's reintroduction, advocates hope the current Congress will advance the legislation further than previous attempts. The increasing international recognition of Islamophobia as a serious global concern may provide additional momentum.
Numerous representatives, including André Carson, Rashida Tlaib, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, Madeleine Dean, Al Green, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sara Jacobs, Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr., John Larson, Summer Lee, Betty McCollum, James P. McGovern, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Dean Phillips, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Linda Sánchez, Brad Sherman, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Nikema Williams, cosponsored the Combating International Islamophobia Act.
The legislation would represent a significant step in U.S. foreign policy regarding religious freedom and anti-discrimination efforts if passed. The bill prohibits any funds made available pursuant to it from being used to promote or endorse a boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement ideology against Israel or to promote or endorse a Muslim ban.
As global attention to Islamophobia continues to grow, the reintroduction of this legislation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Muslim communities worldwide. It represents an effort to establish a more coordinated international response to religious discrimination and violence.
Former President Jimmy Carter, in a foreword to a Carter Center publication on countering Islamophobia, emphasized the importance of such efforts: "None of us can ignore the challenge that rising Islamophobia presents to our nation. We must resolve to fight fear and abuse with solidarity and a commitment to justice — especially for those whose communities have suffered oppression and discrimination."