Things calmed down a little during the month of September. And to be honest, Bay Area American Muslims needed that breathing room bearing in mind the massive spike in hate related incidents that dominated our case-load this summer.
However, with the close of summer meant the beginning of a new school year. As such, it is no shock that instances of school bullying picked up right from where it left off at the beginning of the summer. This new school year, one 5th grader had a rude welcoming at a new school district in the Dublin/Pleasanton area. She was made fun of and picked on by multiple classmates for wearing a headscarf. She was depressed and naturally nervous about speaking to her teachers regarding the harassment. However, CAIR-SFBA worked with the student’s parents to address the matter with the teachers. Since then, there have been no reports of this child being bullied for her Muslim identity.
Unfortunately, given the hateful speeches made by politicians this election season and the undisputable rise of Islamophobia this year, it is only the beginning of what will likely be a long line of students that will be bullied in the 2016-2017 school year.
This case is meant to highlight the lasting impact Islamophobia has on American Muslims students in the Bay Area. CAIR-SFBA is committed toward standing against all forms of Islamophobia and protecting the interests of American Muslims in the Bay Area. State laws require schools to protect students from harassment and discrimination. Schools MUST prohibit bullying based on religion, race, and nationality. Problems Muslim students typically face include pulling of headscarf or kufi, pressure to convert to another religion, insulting comments about Islam made on school grounds, and physical abuse. Students have rights.
If you or a loved one experience a hate crime or hate incident, no matter how small you may think it is, we strongly urge you to report it immediately. All reports to CAIR are confidential and there is no charge for our services.
Sincerely,
Saba Maher
Civil Rights Coordinator