When US fights in the Middle East, American Muslim students often face discrimination

"We get threatening calls all the time, especially when things like that happen in the Middle East, and we're anticipating that. This statement from Fouad Berry, a board member at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge in Dearborn, Michigan, reflects the heightened security concerns at community centers and mosques as the regional conflict intensifies and creates fear of domestic backlash."

"In 2025, 63% of Muslims in the U.S. said they experienced religious discrimination, according to the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. That percentage was comparable with what the Council on American-Islamic Relations reported in 2024 as the highest number of discrimination complaints received since it began recording."

"Rep. Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, wrote on the social media platform X, 'Muslims don't belong in American society.' Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican from Florida, also recently wrote on X that the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a 'difficult' one."

The escalating war in the Middle East is spreading across Gulf countries including Iran and Lebanon, affecting civilians, resources, and infrastructure. Muslim community leaders in the U.S. warn of potential backlash against Muslim and Arab Americans as tensions intensify. Religious institutions are heightening security measures due to threatening calls and anticipated hostility. National political leaders have publicly expressed anti-Muslim sentiment, contributing to a hostile environment. Discrimination against Muslims in the U.S. reached record levels in 2025, with 63% of Muslims reporting religious discrimination. This represents the highest number of discrimination complaints recorded by civil rights organizations since tracking began.

Read at The Conversation