Across the nation, Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate are on the rise. From extremists spreading vitriol and hate online to elected officials using policies and public statements to suggest that Islam has no place in American society, Islamophobia has become ingrained in our country’s societal, educational, and political landscapes.
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination are at an all-time high. In 2025, CAIR received the highest number of single-year complaints ever recorded since its first civil rights report was published in 1996.
When hate and bigotry targeting Muslims become normalized and politically rewarded, it creates an environment that is more prone to violence. We have seen our communities targeted, from the massacre of worshippers at mosques in Christchurch and Quebec to attacks targeting Muslims here in the U.S.—including the recent deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Below is a list of resources to help you identify and challenge Islamophobia and guidance on what to do if you or your loved ones are targeted by hate.
*This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Islamophobia Defined
Islamophobia is fear, hatred, or prejudice toward Islam and Muslims that results in a pattern of discrimination and oppression. Islamophobia creates a distorted understanding of Islam and Muslims by transforming the global and historical faith tradition of Islam, along with the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of its adherents, into a set of stereotyped characteristics most often reducible to themes of violence, civilizational subversion, and fundamental otherness.
Contemporary Islamophobia is shaped and reinforced through popular culture and news media. It is often legitimized by state policies, including the Trump administration’s recent expanded travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries and government surveillance practices.
Examples of Islamophobia & Anti-Muslim Rhetoric
Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate can manifest in various ways. Examples include:
- Conspiracy theories that Muslims are “invading” the U.S. or that “Sharia law is taking over.”
- Stating that Muslims are responsible for terrorist attacks committed by individuals or fringe groups or that all Muslims are inherently violent.
- Using dehumanizing language to refer to Muslims, such as “cockroaches” or “vermin.”
- Threatening violence against Muslims online or in person.
- The implementation of, and support for, government policies, both domestic and foreign, that target and deny equal rights for Muslims.
Islamophobia Network
The Islamophobia Network is a decentralized group of organizations and individuals that share an ideology of extreme anti-Muslim animus, and work with one another to negatively influence public opinion and government policy about Muslims and Islam in the U.S.
The Islamophobia Network is fed millions of dollars to spread fear and hatred and support anti-Muslim policies using legal tools and lobbying special interest hate groups.
Click here to learn more about the Islamophobia Network.
Know the Difference: Hate Incident vs. Hate Crime
Hate incidents involve behavior or speech that is motivated by bias against a person’s actual or perceived race, religion, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. Hate incidents may be offensive or hostile, but do not violate criminal law. Even if a hate incident does not violate the law, it can still cause significant harm to the targeted individual or community. Examples of hate incidents include using insults, name-calling, and distributing hateful flyers in public.
The First Amendment generally tolerates a wide range of speech, including speech that may be deeply offensive or targeting those with a specific identity. However, hateful rhetoric may rise to the level of discriminatory harassment or criminal harassment in some cases.
Hate crimes are any acts that constitute an offence under criminal law and are motivated by bias against a person’s actual or perceived protected characteristics Hate crimes include, but are not limited to, vandalism, threats, property damage, and violence targeting individuals or places of worship.
Anti-Muslim hate can fall under a hate incident or hate crime, depending on the situation.
What To Do if You Are the Target of Anti-Muslim Hate
Remove Yourself From the Situation, if Possible
If it is safe to do so, immediately remove yourself from the situation and do not escalate. If you witness someone being targeted, do not try to confront or engage the perpetrator. Engage the person being targeted and create a safe space until the perpetrator leaves.
If you are being attacked or threatened, or are a witness, call 911 immediately. Seek medical attention if necessary.
Document the Incident
If it is safe to do so, take photos or record as much of the incident as possible. Write down any details about what happened, including the date, time, location, physical description of the perpetrator, what was said/done, and the name and contact information of any witnesses. Be sure to store all documentation securely in one central location.
Report the Incident
To Law Enforcement: Contact your local police department to file a report of the incident and clearly request that the incident be treated as a hate crime.
Make sure to provide any documentation or evidence that you have, especially any statements or actions that show you were targeted because of who you are and request a copy of the police report for your records.
To CAIR: Report the incident to CAIR-CA, even if it appears minor. We can offer support and advice on the next steps. Report an incident to CAIR-CA by:
- Online intake: Click here to report hate & discrimination.
- Phone:
Greater Los Angeles Area: (714) 776-1177 (ext. 2)
Sacramento Valley/Central California: (916) 441-6269
San Diego: (858) 278-4547
San Francisco Bay Area: (408) 986-9874
Combating Anti-Muslim Hate Online
In many cases, the best response is not to react to provocation. Hateful individuals want you to respond to their provocations, and it is better to initiate your own positive plan. If you do choose to respond, focus on challenging misinformation with accurate and balanced facts. Do not stoop to their level by insulting or name-calling back.
If the hateful content is coming from an influential source, such as an elected official, save the URL and the date and time you accessed it. It is also a good idea to take a screenshot of the post or message and the usernames of the accounts.
Report the Incident to the Platform
Nearly all major social media platforms prohibit hateful content as part of their terms and conditions. You can report hateful posts or messaging directly to the platform.
Combating Anti-Muslim Hate in the Media
If you encounter anti-Muslim hate in the news or in the media, document the date, time, channel/program, the name of the person who made the comments, and a recording of the incident, if possible.
You can challenge the messaging by contacting an editor, station manager, or other media outlet official to express your concerns.
Combating Anti-Muslim Hate in the Workplace
Federal and California laws make it illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee on the basis of religion and other protected categories. Your employer must ensure that you are not subjected to anti-Muslim insults, harassment, or unwelcome and excessive proselytizing or targeting.
If you encounter anti-Muslim hate in the workplace—such as Islamophobic “jokes” or remarks, name-calling/derogatory nicknames, or other forms of harassment or discrimination—be sure to document the incident with as much detail as much as possible. Incidents of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation should be reported through the proper workplace channels.
Be sure to follow the process outlined by your employer or described in your employee handbook. Document all complaints you have made and if you make a complaint orally be sure to follow up with a written email. If your employer does not adequately address your concerns or the unlawful behavior escalates, report it to your local CAIR office.
Click here to learn more about your rights in the workplace.
Combating Anti-Muslim Hate in K-12 Schools
CAIR-CA and its Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bullying (CPHB) conduct biennial statewide bullying surveys to understand how Islamophobia manifests itself in our education system. Over the past 12 years, these surveys have shown that 40–55% of Muslim students ages 11–18 consistently report being bullied due to their religious identity.
Islamophobia continues to pose a significant and enduring threat to Muslim students in public schools. Its effects extend beyond personal distress, significantly impacting students’ academic achievement, mental well-being, and sense of belonging within their school communities.
Help CAIR-CA Combat Bullying in California Schools: If you or someone you know is a Muslim student between the ages of 11–18 in California who has experienced bullying at school, we want to help make your voice heard.
Click here to take CAIR-CA’s 2026–27 K-12 School Climate Survey.
For Students
According to CAIR-CA’s most recent bullying report, 67% of K-12 students who experienced peer bullying did not report it to school staff because they felt undervalued or marginalized, were fearful of the outcome, or found the school’s reporting process unclear.
Bullying is not your fault. No one ever deserves to be bullied, and you have the right to ask for help against bullying. While state laws vary, they generally require that public schools, or schools that receive public funding, protect you from harassment and discrimination.
It is okay to ask for help, and you do not have to fix the situation on your own. Tell a trusted person, such as your parent/guardian, a relative, or a teacher, and ask for support. Remember, your voice and ideas are an important part of making sure you feel comfortable at school.
If you have already reported bullying and nothing has changed, don’t give up; tell another trusted person. If you are being bullied by a teacher, administrator, or another adult at school, tell your parent or guardian.
For Parents/Guardians
CAIR-CA’s most recent bullying report outlines recommendations for parents and guardians to help them prepare, support their child if they experience bullying, and advocate effectively if needed. Recommendations for parents/guardians include:
- Approach Your Child’s School as a Partner: Building trust with teachers and administrators helps them see you as an ally in supporting your child’s safety and success. Even if you’ve had prior negative experiences, shifting to a partnership mindset can make it easier to work together when challenges arise.
- Understand Your Child’s Rights in School: State laws vary, but generally require that public schools, or schools that receive public funding, protect your child from harassment and discrimination and have a process in place for investigating bullying complaints, which requires teachers and staff at schools to help students who are being bullied. At the federal level, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act protects students from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any school that receives federal funding.
Click here to learn more about your child’s rights in public schools.
- Build Relationships Early: Introduce yourself at the start of the school year, attend school events, and get to know teachers, staff, and other parents. This foundation of trust enables smoother communication and makes it easier to advocate when issues arise.
- Advocate for Your Child’s Needs Proactively: Share information about your child’s background, religious practices, and health needs at the beginning of the year. For example, you can discuss Ramadan accommodations ahead of time and offer resources or support to help teachers and staff better understand your child’s needs.
Report Every Incident: Report any incident of bullying, harassment, or discrimination, no matter how small it may seem. Include dates, times, locations, individuals involved, specific details of the incidents, as well as emotional or physical impact on your child. Contact your child’s teacher, counselor, or principal as soon as possible, and always follow up in writing to create a clear paper trail.
Ask the school to provide a plan of action to prevent further bullying and ensure your child’s safety on campus. If the issue is not resolved, you can file a complaint through the Uniform Complaint Procedure.
For Educators
Educators have an obligation to maintain a safe learning environment where all students feel safe and able to participate. CAIR-CA’s most recent bullying report outlines recommendations for educators to ensure that all students feel valued and protected in schools, including:
Establish Clear Anti-Bullying Policies: Explicitly mention Islamophobia and other forms of religious, racial, and identity-based bullying as unacceptable.
Implement Accessible Reporting Systems: Ensure reporting processes are clear, safe, and free from retaliation.
Promote Proactive Education and Awareness: Train school staff to recognize signs of religious bullying and microaggressions, respond appropriately and sensitively, and understand the impact of Islamophobia on student well-being.
Support Students Who Experience Bullying: Provide culturally sensitive counseling and emotional support that respects students’ religious and cultural identities.
Diversify Curriculum and Increase Muslim Representation: Integrate diverse voices and experiences throughout the year to promote ongoing inclusion.
Provide Ongoing Professional Development: Offer training on cultural competency, anti-Islamophobia, bias awareness, and restorative practices.
Build an Inclusive School Climate: Foster a culture of belonging through newsletters, posters, student artwork, multicultural messages, and recognition of Islamic holidays.
Engage Families and the Community: Communicate proactively and respectfully with Muslim families in their preferred languages and through their preferred modes of communication.
An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices: Click here to view CAIR’s guide on Islamic beliefs and practices for educators. This guide is designed to assist teachers, principals, administrators, and other educators in formulating and implementing policies and programs that will help to create a supportive academic environment.
Talking Points for Combating Anti-Muslim Hate
To support meaningful conversations about Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate, we’ve prepared some talking points and tips to help you engage with commonly used statements targeting the Muslim community.
When having a conversation, remember to:
- Focus on challenging misinformation with accurate and balanced facts.
- Avoid insulting or name-calling, even in response; Do not stoop to their level.
- Ask questions that invite reflection, rather than defensiveness.
- Set boundaries if they are celebrating harm or dehumanizing people. You can calmly draw a line or pause the conversation.
If Someone Says: “Muslims Are Taking Over the Country.”
A group of people existing in a country, establishing houses of worship, schools, and community centers, and outwardly practicing their faith, does not equate to them “taking over.”
Additionally, although Muslims make up only around 1% of the entire U.S. population, they have been part of American history for roughly 400 years—long before the U.S. was founded. An estimated 30% of enslaved Africans brought to this country are believed to have been Muslim. From those who preserved their faith, language, and scholarship under slavery to American Muslims who have served, organized, built institutions, and fought for civil rights across generations, Muslim communities have helped shape this country’s history from the very beginning.
If Someone Says: “It’s Not Hateful To Criticize a Religion.”
It is true that criticizing or disagreeing with any religion, including Islam, is not inherently hateful. However, criticism of Islam is often used as a thinly veiled excuse for prejudice and anti-Muslim rhetoric, especially when “criticism” focuses on harmful stereotypes, dehumanizing language, using blanket statements to condemn an entire faith group, or justifying violence targeting the community.
If Someone Says: “Muslims Want To Impose Sharia Law on America.”
Claims that Muslims are seeking to replace the Constitution or federal laws with “Sharia law” are baseless and have been repeatedly debunked. Sharia refers to personal religious guidance, similar to how kosher laws guide Jewish practice or church teachings guide Christian practice. It shapes personal choices about prayer, charity, ethics, and family life.
False rhetoric about “Sharia law” has been heavily pushed by some anti-Muslim elected officials to deliberately spread misinformation, fear, and suspicion about American Muslims, our mosques, our schools, and our very existence in this country.
If Someone Says: “Muslims Don’t Want To Assimilate; They Want To Impose Their Culture on Us.”
Muslims are one of the most diverse groups in the U.S., coming from every ethnicity and background. While many Muslims are immigrants to the U.S., many also have ties to American history going back decades, to even before the U.S. was founded.
The idea that Muslims “don’t want to assimilate” or even that they need to in order to truly be viewed as part of American society is false and perpetrated by those who seek to create an “us vs. them” mentality. Being American does not mean a community needs to abandon their religion, language, or culture. Using blanket statements that Muslims all share one culture or that every person who chooses to retain parts of their heritage is inherently “anti-American” is categorically false.
Muslim communities can and do fully participate in American society as neighbors, students, business owners, and public servants while maintaining their faith identity.
If Someone Says: “Why Don’t Muslims Condemn Terrorism/Violence?”
The real question is: Why do you assume that they haven’t? Demanding blanket condemnation for violence implies the false belief that the default for Muslims is sympathy for terrorism. The reality is that Muslim leaders, organizations, scholars, and community members have continuously, publicly condemned terrorism and other acts of violence targeting both Muslims and non-Muslims.
At the same time, no community or faith group should be required to collectively answer for or be held accountable for the actions committed by individuals who claim to act in their name.
If Someone Says: “Islam Is Incompatible With the West/Modern Society.”
Islam is practiced by nearly two billion people with a wide range of social, political, cultural, and religious views. Claiming that Islam is inherently incompatible with modern society overlooks the reality that millions of Muslims in the U.S. actively participate in democratic institutions, business, education, and public service.
Report an Incident to CAIR-CA
CAIR-CA offers high-quality, free civil rights legal services. We urge our community to report all incidents of hate, even if you are not seeking legal action or support.
Documenting and reporting incidents helps us build an accurate picture of the harm communities are facing and strengthen advocacy efforts for resources and policies and create systemic change. All reports submitted to CAIR are confidential.
Report an incident to CAIR-CA by:
- Online intake: Click here to report hate & discrimination.
- Phone:
Greater Los Angeles Area: (714) 776-1177 (ext. 2)
Sacramento Valley/Central California: (916) 441-6269
San Diego: (858) 278-4547
San Francisco Bay Area: (408) 986-9874
Additional Resources
Join Us in the Fight Against Anti-Muslim Hate
CAIR-CA’s Greater Los Angeles Area office is hiring a Digital Monitoring & Research Coordinator to join our team to support our efforts to track and document publicly available online Islamophobia, misinformation, and harmful rhetoric across social media and digital platforms.
This role is well-suited for someone who is detailed-oriented and interested in civil rights advocacy, digital communications, media analysis, and issues affecting the American Muslim communities.
