Tackling anti-Muslim hate should be a priority

One of the most disheartening trends of this century is showing no signs of diminishing. Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred courses through much of European and American society, but also elsewhere, not least India. For Muslims in these areas, hatred of them or anyone who might be perceived as Muslim has become a fact of life.
The far right is flourishing, not least in Europe. In France, which has a Muslim population of nearly 6 million, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally revels in its Islamophobia. It won 33 percent of the vote in France’s first round of parliamentary elections in June.
It appears that anti-Muslim messages will only be amplified by the likes of X. The social media site’s owner, Elon Musk, even wrote an opinion piece arguing that the far-right, virulently Islamophobic Alternative for Germany is the only party that can “save” Germany.
The network of the right and far right is bound by a glue of hate — an ever-hardening bond of antipathy to anything to do with Islam.
Yet one must not lazily assume that the leftist and centrist parties are immune to all of this. Far from it. They may be less boastful about it, but it is a common phenomenon. The Biden administration’s record in engaging American Muslim communities was lamentable, one reason among many why Kamala Harris fared so poorly among these communities in November’s election.
Last month’s attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, highlighted how toxic the debate remains. Battalions of online trolls launched their usual hate before a single fact had emerged about the killer, who it turns out was an ex-Muslim with a history of anti-Islamic rhetoric.
Muslims have seen all this before — attacks for which they are blamed either wrongly or collectively. Yes, extremists have carried out attacks, but far-right extremists have too. The focus is always on “Muslim extremists” depicted as terrorists, whereas far-right killers are one-offs, not part of a formalized ideology, despite the myriad groups they have formed.

Our societies will be richer if communities of all identities, backgrounds and faiths are treated fairly.

Chris Doyle

But 2024 will largely be remembered by Arabs and Muslims for the utter indifference and even complicity in their suffering. An Israeli genocide in Gaza is downgraded to a humanitarian situation that has to be addressed by a few more trucks getting in. Syrians spent another year in the hellhole of the Assad regime, but the world only woke up once Syrians succeeded in ousting the Assads. Sudan and Yemen are just footnotes in the news. Some victims, some refugees just do not matter as much as others.
Yet these conflicts have domestic repercussions in terms of social cohesion. In the aftermath of the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, anti-Muslim hate crimes in the US rose significantly. Who can forget the horrific lethal stabbing of six-year-old Palestinian American boy Wadea Al-Fayoume?
It does not end there. The contrast between the way in which those accused of antisemitism and those accused of Islamophobia are treated is terrifying. Many charges of antisemitism have simply been false, designed solely to deflect legitimate criticisms of Israel’s crimes. In this case, the UN, Ireland, Spain, the Pope, the BBC, the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice have all been falsely maligned. It is often a career-ending charge. As for Islamophobia, it is largely brushed off.
This was most notable following the violence in Amsterdam in November, before and after the European football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch club AFC Ajax. Israeli hooligans screaming “death to Arab” chants were largely ignored or downplayed, while the riots against Israeli supporters were not.
But this is far from a lost cause. Muslims and those who believe in a pluralistic society that is welcoming of those of all faiths make a major difference. Despite the obstacles, many European Muslims are making inroads in the political elites, albeit they still have to ward off waves of abuse and constantly prove themselves to be part of European culture and act as “acceptable” Muslims. All too often, this means pretty much disowning their Muslim identities.
March 15 is designated as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, but the truth is this cannot be a one-day-a-year struggle. Our societies will be richer, more united and more productive if communities of all identities, backgrounds and faiths are treated fairly.
Governments, businesses and civil society need to develop long-term plans to challenge anti-Muslim hatred, just as anti-Black racism and antisemitism are being tackled. All these forms of discrimination cannot be ignored, but Islamophobia currently is. Worse, too many see an interest in stoking it rather than defeating it.

*Chris Doyle is director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding in London. X: @Doylech