People across the country are paying close attention to the New York City Mayoral race. As Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has put forth a platform that shows real, principled care for all New Yorkers, his detractors have spent their time hurling vile, Islamophobic attacks against him that are not only dangerous and damaging but all too reflective of the normalization of Islamophobia within our society.
Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim racism, has a long, ugly history in the United States. It intensified dramatically after 9/11 and, again, in the Trump era. Muslims, as well as those perceived to be Muslim, have faced anti-Muslim racism and have been targeted, demonized, and killed for being Muslim. What is especially pernicious about Islamophobia is that it often happens without any repercussions to the perpetrators and is treated as “just the way it is.”
In addition to individual attitudes and actions, Islamophobia also describes behaviors and policies that are systemic or structural on the part of institutions, most notably, the government. These policies assume that Muslim identity is associated with a national security threat. As Professor Mahmood Mamdani, who introduced the good Muslim-bad Muslim concept explains, it rests on the notion that, in a post-9/11 world, “unless proved to be ‘good,’ every Muslim [is] presumed to be ‘bad.’ All Muslims were now under obligation to prove their credentials by joining in a war against ‘bad Muslims.’”
Muslim communities across the US continue to experience Islamophobia in all realms of life–from day to day actions to post-911 “War on Terror” policies that reflect anti-Muslim and anti-Arab racism. This reality has been exacerbated in the past two years by increasing and intensifying waves of both anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian racism, violence, and repression related to protest in support of the Palestinian people and by increased surveillance, the militarization of borders, and a harsh clamping down on dissent.
The escalation of anti-Muslim racism is happening across the country–from New York to Florida and beyond. Right here in Florida, CAIR FL has documented the rise in Islamophobia, with a strong number of incidents as a direct result of support for Palestinian justice. The backlash is often severe, including firings, doxing, and other forms of disciplinary action. Islamophobia is also very much alive in government circles in Florida. Representative Randy Fine has consistently made dangerously Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian comments and threats, including on social media, where he does so unashamedly and, to date, without repercussion. As CAIR Florida has stated: “For years, [Rep. Fine] has invoked Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian stereotypes and incited violence against Muslims and Palestinians at home and abroad without impunity.” I don’t want to give any space to recounting his Islamophobic rants, but they are many and they are deeply harmful.
Also in Florida, with the intention of fomenting Islamophobia, a State representative from Broward has introduced legislation, “No Sharia Act,” despite the fact that it is patently absurd to suggest there is a plan to implement Sharia law in Florida; and of course the legislator knows that full well. The bill is designed with one purpose in mind–to intimidate and to create fear directed at Muslims, and, to be blunt, it is rooted in a pack of lies. Sharia, or Islamic law, is a complex system of moral codes, which govern all aspects of Muslim life and establishes basic conduct, like kindness towards neighbors, honoring one’s promises, and avoiding lying—similar to the ways in which Christian and Jewish religious laws guide adherents of those religions.
Those of us who are Jewish, like myself, also need to be mindful of the ways our institutions promote Islamophobia, even while claiming to oppose it. For example, we have seen how many Jewish institutions apply an Israel-related litmus test to Muslim or Arab American groups before engaging with them, requiring that they not criticize Israel’s policies or associate with pro-Palestine groups. And those groups that do support Palestinian justice are often accused of being antisemitic and are terribly maligned with Islamophobic accusations and worse.
We are in a moment in which many of our communities are under assault, including raids, unlawful detentions, and kidnappings of immigrant, working-class, and Black and Brown communities. We need now, more than ever, to come together as collective voices and exhibit real care and commitment to everyone’s safety and well-being. As Mayoral candidate (and hopefully future Mayor) Mamdani said while addressing the attacks made against him by former Mayor Andrew Cuomo, Islamophobia seems to be one of the few areas of agreement between the Democrats and Republicans. That’s how “acceptable” it’s become. And that is all the more reason for us to be vigilant about speaking out and taking action against it.
Donna Nevel, a community psychologist and Jewish social justice educator, lives in South Florida. Together with Elly Bulkin, she published a series of articles on Islamophobia and created the resource, Jews Against Anti-Muslim Racism (JAAMR).
