Breadcrumb
Helping to Prevent Islamophobia at Cal Poly Humboldt
What is Islamophobia?
Islamophobia, in general, is fear, hostility or hatred directed at Islam, Muslims, those perceived as Muslims, and allies of Muslims. Islamophobia is rooted in prejudice and racism and manifests itself systematically and unfairly through discriminatory, exclusionary, oppressive, dehumanizing and violent practices. Combating Islamophobia on campus is urgent because of its harmful and corrosive consequences for our community.
You can learn more about Islamophobia by visiting the following webpages.
The Bridge Initiative: Georgetown University: What is Islamophobia?
Islamophobia Studies Center: Defining Islamophobia
What do I do if I experience or witness Islamophobia on campus?
If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior due to your race/ethnicity, gender and gender expression, age, national origin, disability, religion, and other protected classes, you have options for support and accountability through the Title IX and DHR Prevention Office. The office is available to listen, answer questions, provide clarification on the policies, and receive reports.
Report Harassment or Discrimination
How Does Islamophobia Affect Our Campus?
When students experience any form of hate or hostility like islamophobia on a campus, this could contribute to academic, psychological, sociological, and physical challenges. What this looks like in the day-to-day life of a student differs depending on the individual. General examples of this can be mental health challenges, academic challenges, physical challenges, which could impact the success of students and erode a sense of belonging.
What are the origins of Islamophobia?
Islamophobia has deep historical roots shaped by various factors over time:
Medieval Conflicts: During the Crusades, Christian Europe demonized Muslims, portraying them as barbaric and morally inferior, creating a long-lasting narrative of Muslims as the "other."
Colonialism and Orientalism: European imperialism reinforced negative stereotypes of Muslims as backward and culturally inferior. Edward Said's concept of Orientalism highlights how Western media depicted the Muslim world as exotic and dangerous.
Migration and Nationalism: Post-colonial migration to the West led to tensions around identity and integration, fueling Islamophobia driven by cultural anxieties.
Geopolitical Conflicts: Ongoing conflicts involving Muslim-majority nations, like the Gulf Wars and Israeli-Palestinian tensions, contributed to the framing of Islam as inherently violent.
9/11 and Terrorism: After the 9/11 attacks, Islam became associated with terrorism, leading to a surge in Islamophobia, particularly in the U.S. and Europe.
Media and Political Rhetoric: Negative media portrayals and political rhetoric, especially from far-right groups, have reinforced harmful stereotypes of Muslims.
Understanding these origins is crucial to effectively challenging Islamophobia today.
What is Islam?
Islam is one of the world's major monotheistic religions, with over 1.9 billion followers, known as Muslims. Centered on the belief in one God (Allah) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, who is considered the last prophet, Islam emphasizes submission to God's will as the path to spiritual fulfillment. The faith is structured around the Five Pillars of Islam: the declaration of faith (Shahada), five daily prayers (Salat), giving to charity (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). The Qur'an, believed to be the literal word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, serves as the holy scripture guiding Muslim beliefs and practices.
Unlike some other religions, Islam does not have a central authority (like the Vatican for Catholicism). Instead, various scholars and leaders interpret Islamic teachings and practices within diverse cultural contexts. This decentralized structure allows for a variety of interpretations and practices among different Muslim communities. Sharia law, derived from the Qur'an and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), encompasses a broad range of civil, criminal, and ethical guidelines that govern the lives of Muslims. While Sharia is often misunderstood and misrepresented, it primarily emphasizes justice, compassion, and the welfare of the community. Islam teaches the importance of community (Ummah), the oneness of God (Tawhid), and accountability in the afterlife (Akhira). While the two main branches of Islam—Sunni and Shia—differ in leadership interpretations, they share core values like compassion, justice, and the pursuit of knowledge. Overall, Islam encourages ethical living and harmonious relationships among all people.
Who are Muslims?
Muslims are a diverse group of individuals who come from various cultural, ethnic, and national backgrounds, demonstrating that Islam is a truly global faith. While many people associate Muslims with the Middle East, the reality is that the majority of Muslims live in regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, with significant communities in Europe, North America, and beyond. Furthermore, Muslims are not exclusively of Arab descent; they encompass a wide array of ethnicities, including but not limited to South Asians, Indonesians, Africans, and Europeans. Additionally, Islam has attracted many converts from different walks of life, further enriching the Muslim community with varied perspectives and experiences.
Unfortunately, the racialization of Muslims often leads to stereotypes and misconceptions that fail to recognize this diversity, framing them solely through the lens of ethnicity or culture rather than their shared faith. This racialization frequently manifests in the portrayal of Muslims in media and political discourse, where they are often homogenized and depicted as a monolithic group, reinforcing harmful stereotypes associated with terrorism or extremism. Such narratives can marginalize the voices and experiences of Muslims from different backgrounds, leading to social stigmatization and discrimination. Moreover, racial profiling and Islamophobia can exacerbate feelings of alienation among Muslim communities, making it essential to highlight their rich diversity and challenge the reductive views that fuel prejudice. This complexity reflects the universal message of Islam, which transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, emphasizing unity in faith while celebrating individual identities.
25 Influential American Muslims Video
Article: Muslim Victimization in the Contemporary US by Sarah Beth Kaufman and Hanna Niner
Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report from Pew Research
Text for this page was prepared by Sacramento State.