Islam in the United States: Addressing Islamophobia in the Public Schools

Abstract:In this article, a brief overview of the demography and status of Muslims in the United States is presented, followed by a more detailed discussion of the nature and growth of Islamophobia in American society. The implications of both the changing demography and the increase in Islamophobia in recent years with respect to how they have impacted Muslim children and young people in U.S. public schools are then explored and an analysis of efforts to challenge anti-Muslim bias and Islamophobia in public education is presented. The backlash to such efforts to challenge Islamophobia in public education in the United States, originating largely in conservative Christian circles, is discussed, and suggestions are made for how anti-Islamophobic education can be made more effective.