Racism is the marginalization or discrimination against people on the basis of their racial or ethnic background. Such is usually against populations which identify as the ‘minority’. Racist practices can be hidden or in plain sight, and may be initiated by an individual or through systemic practices. Among the many forms of racism, Islamophobia refers to the hostility and aversion towards individuals who identify with the Muslim faith. Over recent years, we have seen Islamophobia through acts of hate speech, hate crimes and government policies (e.g., Head covering/face covering Ban). These occurrences have brought great concerns for Muslims all around the world. For instance, many Muslims get accused of extremism due to racial prejudice and misunderstandings about the religion of Islam. As a result, many Muslims report that they do not feel accepted nor respected. In addition, Muslim girls and women who observe the head covering (Hijab) have developed fear and anxiety after recent reports of attacks on Muslim women, as well as the controversial ban on face and head coverings in some parts of the world.
These occurrences have limited the ability of many Muslims to exercise their fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, and cultural fields of life. To prevent and recover from these negative implications, our societies should work on encouraging anti-racist approaches and promoting racial awareness. This will help us to progress as a multicultural society, towards avoiding discriminatory practices that stem from bias, racial prejudice, and hate.