New Jersey advocates demand action against rising Islamophobia

On International Day to Combat Islamophobia, advocates in New Jersey are urging officials to take action against growing anti-Muslim sentiment. They gathered at the Statehouse to raise awareness of the issue and discuss specific measures to combat it. The Council on American-Islamic Relations of New Jersey (CAIR-NJ) reported that Islamophobic incidents have reached their highest level since 1996. This increase has even surpassed the rise in incidents following the September 11 attacks. CAIR's executive director highlighted some of the 8,658 incidents reported nationally in 2024, with 290 occurring in New Jersey. Examples included vandalism at a Muslim prayer hall and assaults on individuals wearing hijabs. Advocates called on public officials to condemn anti-Muslim actions and promote a balanced narrative regarding issues in Palestine. They also want the Trump administration to halt the FBI's use of a controversial watch list that largely names Arabic and Muslim individuals. Additionally, there are concerns regarding a bill that would adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism. Critics argue that this definition could silence criticism of Israel rather than protect Jewish people. A coalition of Jewish and Muslim scholars has proposed an alternative definition to address both Islamophobia and antisemitism. Speakers emphasized that Islamophobia is particularly acute on American college campuses, where students often face backlash for exercising their right to protest and express dissent. Advocates are calling for legislative hearings to discuss the rise of Islamophobia in educational settings.