Unmasking Islamophobia: The Hidden Crisis Facing Muslim College Students
A recent survey conducted by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) and its Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bullying (CPHB) has revealed a significant increase in anti-Islamic sentiments and discrimination against Muslim students at colleges and universities across California.
The report, titled "Examining Islamophobia on California College Campuses," surveyed 720 students from 87 public and private institutions in California. According to CAIR-CA, nearly half of Muslim students experienced harassment or discrimination on campus during the 2023-2024 academic year, marking a substantial rise from the 40% reported in their 2020 campus climate report1.
The Los Angeles Times reports that 49% of respondents, or 352 out of 720 students, said they had experienced anti-Muslim acts by students, staff, or administrators at school. CAIR and CPHB attribute this increase to widespread pro-Palestinian protests, which led to numerous arrests and lawsuits against universities, including UCLA and USC.
Osman Khan, Director of CPHB, emphasized the traumatic impact on Muslim students in a statement: "This past year has been extremely traumatizing for college students of varying ethnicities within the Islamic faith—all because they valiantly chose to stand up and humanize the plight of Palestinians".
The survey also highlights the isolation felt by Muslim students within their college communities. Summer, a student at the University of Southern California, stated: "Some students, while in class, have received [the] devastating news of losing loved ones in Gaza. They not only mourn their families but also face the silence and lack of empathy from their own community".
CAIR-CA and CPHB Program Manager Bayanne Kanawati noted, "Instead of feeling safe and supported on their own campuses, many [students] have faced suppression of their free speech, and some have even been penalized for advocating for Palestinian rights".
The findings align with those from the UCLA Task Force on Anti-Palestinian, Anti-Muslim, and Anti-Arab Racism, which described the campus as "less safe than ever" for these groups. Simultaneously, a report from the UCLA Task Force to Combat Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias found that 84% of surveyed Jewish or Israeli students, faculty, staff, and administrators believed antisemitism had worsened since October 7, 20233.
It's important to note that while the report highlights concerning trends, its data is limited. Most surveyed institutions were in the San Francisco Bay Area or Southern California, with only a few colleges from other regions included.
The survey, conducted between March and July 2024, encompassed the peak of campus protests during April, May, and June. In response to these findings, some universities, including UCLA, have implemented new protest regulations, augmented security measures, and initiated dialogue programs to bridge gaps between opposing groups.
This survey by CAIR-CA and CPHB reveals significant challenges facing Muslim students in California's higher education institutions, highlighting the pressing need for dialogue, understanding, and proactive measures to ensure a safe and supportive educational environment for all students.