Connecticut Muslims face fear and grief during Ramadan

During Ramadan, Connecticut's Muslim community is facing heightened fears due to rising hostility and hate incidents. Concerns have grown over freedom of speech, especially after the arrest of a student involved in protests against Israel. Khamis Abu-Hasaballah, a community leader, mourns the loss of family members in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict. He describes the dire conditions there, including food scarcity and lack of infrastructure, which weigh heavily on the community during this holy month. The Council on American-Islamic Relations reported a record number of discrimination complaints in 2024, with employment discrimination being the highest category. Incidents of bullying and assaults against Muslim students have also been reported in Connecticut schools.