The new report from South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Under Suspicion, Under Attack, details how South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Middle Eastern and Arab Communities in the U.S. are targeted by xenophobic rhetoric and hate violence.
The report notes that an overwhelming number of documented xenophobic political speech was anti-Muslim in nature and that more than 80% of of documented hate crimes were motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment.
What’s made clear in the report is that there’s an increased level of hostility directed toward South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Middle Eastern and Arab Communities, even as the public has become more aware of backlash against these communities after events like the Boston Marathon bombing. A recent poll by the Arab American Institute backs up SAALT’s research, finding that Americans have increasingly negative attitudes toward Muslims.
Recent events in New York underscore the need to take these findings seriously. Two prominent Muslim advocates were attacked last week in Brooklyn when a man chased the women and threatened to behead them.
Some are taking steps to turn the tide. The organization September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows has launched a new bus ad campaign to push back against Islamophobia and promote religious tolerance and interfaith unity in New York City.