Why are Anti-Muslim discrimination complaints soaring in 2024?
Alona Yadav | Mar 11, 2025, 23:54 IST
( Image credit : AP )
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reports an unprecedented rise in anti-Muslim discrimination, with over 8,650 complaints in 2024. Employment discrimination surged as companies reduced diversity initiatives. Significant incidents include alleged unjust firings over Gaza conflict views and increased campus protest crackdowns.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported an unprecedented surge in anti-Muslim discrimination complaints in 2024, according to their annual civil rights report released Tuesday. More than 8,650 complaints were filed last year, marking a 7% increase from the previous record set in 2023.
Employment discrimination emerged as the top issue reported to CAIR for the first time, with over 1,300 incidents documented. This shift comes as many companies have scaled back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Corey Saylor, CAIR's director of research and advocacy, noted a significant change in the nature of discrimination.
"Usually, what we're documenting is people being targeted because of their faith either being Muslim or being perceived as being Muslim," Saylor explained. "Last year, what we saw is people being targeted for their viewpoint, primarily anti-apartheid, anti-genocide viewpoints."
The report highlighted several cases where employees allegedly faced termination after expressing concerns about the conflict in Gaza. In one instance, Microsoft reportedly fired two employees hours after they organized a vigil for Palestinians killed in Gaza. Similarly, a Palestinian American nurse at NYU Langone Health claimed she was unjustly fired after expressing concern for Palestinian women while accepting an award.
Law enforcement encounters rose dramatically by 71.5%, largely attributed to university crackdowns on campus protests. Over 20% of total complaints were received during April and May, coinciding with widespread student demonstrations. The report's release followed the recent arrest of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a leader in the pro-Palestinian protest movement.
Hate incidents also saw a troubling increase, with 647 complaints recorded. At least 40 incidents explicitly targeted Islamic places of worship. The report referenced several hate crime arrests, including a Texas woman who allegedly attempted to drown a Muslim child at a public swimming pool, and an Illinois woman accused of attacking a man wearing a Palestine sweatshirt.
According to FBI data cited in the report, anti-Muslim hate crimes reported to police increased 18% across 28 major U.S. cities in 2024. However, Saylor emphasized that the report likely underrepresents the full scope of the problem, as it only captures incidents directly reported to CAIR.
"You can't address a problem until you sort of understand it," Saylor stated, advocating for improved reporting mechanisms and suggesting that federal funding should be tied to hate crime reporting requirements.
The findings paint a concerning picture of rising anti-Muslim sentiment in America, with Saylor noting that rhetoric from federal officials often emboldens local actors to target Muslim communities.
Employment discrimination emerged as the top issue reported to CAIR for the first time, with over 1,300 incidents documented. This shift comes as many companies have scaled back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Corey Saylor, CAIR's director of research and advocacy, noted a significant change in the nature of discrimination.
"Usually, what we're documenting is people being targeted because of their faith either being Muslim or being perceived as being Muslim," Saylor explained. "Last year, what we saw is people being targeted for their viewpoint, primarily anti-apartheid, anti-genocide viewpoints."
The report highlighted several cases where employees allegedly faced termination after expressing concerns about the conflict in Gaza. In one instance, Microsoft reportedly fired two employees hours after they organized a vigil for Palestinians killed in Gaza. Similarly, a Palestinian American nurse at NYU Langone Health claimed she was unjustly fired after expressing concern for Palestinian women while accepting an award.
Law enforcement encounters rose dramatically by 71.5%, largely attributed to university crackdowns on campus protests. Over 20% of total complaints were received during April and May, coinciding with widespread student demonstrations. The report's release followed the recent arrest of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a leader in the pro-Palestinian protest movement.
Hate incidents also saw a troubling increase, with 647 complaints recorded. At least 40 incidents explicitly targeted Islamic places of worship. The report referenced several hate crime arrests, including a Texas woman who allegedly attempted to drown a Muslim child at a public swimming pool, and an Illinois woman accused of attacking a man wearing a Palestine sweatshirt.
According to FBI data cited in the report, anti-Muslim hate crimes reported to police increased 18% across 28 major U.S. cities in 2024. However, Saylor emphasized that the report likely underrepresents the full scope of the problem, as it only captures incidents directly reported to CAIR.
"You can't address a problem until you sort of understand it," Saylor stated, advocating for improved reporting mechanisms and suggesting that federal funding should be tied to hate crime reporting requirements.
The findings paint a concerning picture of rising anti-Muslim sentiment in America, with Saylor noting that rhetoric from federal officials often emboldens local actors to target Muslim communities.