The rise of islamophobia

The attacks on Muslims in the United States after 9/11:

# The Rise of Islamophobia in America After 9/11

## The Aftermath of 9/11 and the Targeting of Muslim Americans

The tragic events of September 11, 2001 had a profound and devastating impact on the United States. In the aftermath, Muslim Americans found themselves unfairly targeted and subjected to a surge of Islamophobia and discrimination. [[1]](https://www.911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers/lesson-plans/muslims-america-after-911-part-i)

In the decade following 9/11, the U.S. government identified over 160 Muslim-American terrorist suspects and perpetrators. However, this represented just a small percentage of the thousands of acts of violence that occur in the U.S. each year. [[1]](https://www.911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers/lesson-plans/muslims-america-after-911-part-i) Despite this, the disproportionate media coverage and law enforcement focus on Muslim-American terrorism created the false impression that it was more prevalent than reality.

## Experiences of Prejudice and Discrimination

The backlash against Muslim Americans was severe. Research shows that nearly half of Muslim Americans (48%) reported experiencing racial or religious discrimination in the year following 9/11 - more than twice the rate of other religious groups like Jews, Catholics, and Protestants. [[2]](https://news.gallup.com/poll/157082/islamophobia-understanding-anti-muslim-sentiment-west.aspx)

Arab Americans (52%) were the most likely to report experiencing discrimination. [[2]](https://news.gallup.com/poll/157082/islamophobia-understanding-anti-muslim-sentiment-west.aspx) Muslim women who wear the hijab were particularly vulnerable, facing verbal harassment, physical attacks, and having their headscarves forcibly removed. [[3]](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/muslim-americans-spike-hate-incidents-feels-reminiscent-post-911-islam-rcna122570)

## Lasting Impact on Muslim American Communities

The spike in Islamophobic incidents after 9/11 left Muslim American communities feeling deeply unsettled and unsafe. [[3]](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/muslim-americans-spike-hate-incidents-feels-reminiscent-post-911-islam-rcna122570) Parents had to teach their children how to protect themselves, with some even resorting to carrying pepper spray. [[3]](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/muslim-americans-spike-hate-incidents-feels-reminiscent-post-911-islam-rcna122570) Muslim students on college campuses also faced harassment, threats, and being profiled for their faith and perceived political views. [[3]](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/muslim-americans-spike-hate-incidents-feels-reminiscent-post-911-islam-rcna122570)

The trauma and fear experienced by Muslim Americans in this period has had lasting impacts. Even years later, many continue to grapple with the legacy of post-9/11 Islamophobia, which has become deeply entrenched in American society. [[1]](https://www.911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers/lesson-plans/muslims-america-after-911-part-i)[[3]](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/muslim-americans-spike-hate-incidents-feels-reminiscent-post-911-islam-rcna122570)

## Conclusion

The attacks on 9/11 were a horrific tragedy, but the subsequent backlash against Muslim Americans represented an equally damaging assault on civil liberties and social cohesion. The rise of Islamophobia in the aftermath of 9/11 is a sobering reminder of how fear and misinformation can lead to the scapegoating and persecution of minority groups. It is a painful chapter in American history that must be reckoned with and learned from.

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Learn more:
1. [Muslims in America after 9/11, Part I | National September 11 Memorial & Museum](https://www.911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers/lesson-plans/muslims-america-after-911-part-i)
2. [Islamophobia: Understanding Anti-Muslim Sentiment in the West](https://news.gallup.com/poll/157082/islamophobia-understanding-anti-muslim-sentiment-west.aspx)
3. [For Muslim Americans, a spike in hate incidents feels reminiscent of post 9/11 Islamophobia](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/muslim-americans-spike-hate-incidents-feels-reminiscent-post-911-islam-rcna122570)

## The Rise of Islamophobia in Europe After 9/11

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 had a significant impact on the perception and treatment of Muslims in Europe. In the aftermath of 9/11, there was a substantial rise in Islamophobia throughout Europe [[1]](https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/199-Synthesis-report_en.pdf)[[2]](https://www.insightturkey.com/articles/the-post-september-11-rise-of-islamophobia-identity-and-the-clash-of-civilizations-in-europe-and-latin-america).

Muslims living in Europe faced a variety of problems, ranging from physical attacks and murder to discrimination in employment and housing, as well as vandalism of Islamic centers and mosques [[2]](https://www.insightturkey.com/articles/the-post-september-11-rise-of-islamophobia-identity-and-the-clash-of-civilizations-in-europe-and-latin-america). This anti-Muslim sentiment was institutionalized, with the increase in violence and discrimination often being driven by issues of identity - Muslims were targeted because of their identity as Muslims [[2]](https://www.insightturkey.com/articles/the-post-september-11-rise-of-islamophobia-identity-and-the-clash-of-civilizations-in-europe-and-latin-america).

Across Europe, Muslims were collectively blamed for the 9/11 attacks, leading to a "general punitive climate toward Muslims" [[2]](https://www.insightturkey.com/articles/the-post-september-11-rise-of-islamophobia-identity-and-the-clash-of-civilizations-in-europe-and-latin-america). This manifested in a rise in racial violence targeting Muslim individuals and communities [[2]](https://www.insightturkey.com/articles/the-post-september-11-rise-of-islamophobia-identity-and-the-clash-of-civilizations-in-europe-and-latin-america). In a region known for its commitment to human rights and pluralist democracy, European Muslims were now facing widespread discrimination and marginalization [[2]](https://www.insightturkey.com/articles/the-post-september-11-rise-of-islamophobia-identity-and-the-clash-of-civilizations-in-europe-and-latin-america).

The scale of the problem was significant - there were over 21 million Muslims living in Europe at the time [[2]](https://www.insightturkey.com/articles/the-post-september-11-rise-of-islamophobia-identity-and-the-clash-of-civilizations-in-europe-and-latin-america). Countries like Denmark and Switzerland saw highly publicized debates and actions that were seen as infringing on the rights of Muslim minorities, such as the Swiss referendum to ban the construction of mosque minarets [[3]](https://news.gallup.com/poll/157082/islamophobia-understanding-anti-muslim-sentiment-west.aspx).

Overall, the years following 9/11 saw a troubling rise in Islamophobia across Europe, with Muslims facing increased hostility, discrimination, and violence in their daily lives due to their religious identity [[1]](https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/199-Synthesis-report_en.pdf)[[2]](https://www.insightturkey.com/articles/the-post-september-11-rise-of-islamophobia-identity-and-the-clash-of-civilizations-in-europe-and-latin-america).

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Learn more:
1. [Summary Report on Summary Report on Islamophobia](https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/199-Synthesis-report_en.pdf)
2. [The Post-September 11 Rise of Islamophobia: Identity and the ‘Clash of Civilizations’ in Europe and Latin America, Articles Kristin VandenBelt | Insight Turkey](https://www.insightturkey.com/articles/the-post-september-11-rise-of-islamophobia-identity-and-the-clash-of-civilizations-in-europe-and-latin-america)
3. [Islamophobia: Understanding Anti-Muslim Sentiment in the West](https://news.gallup.com/poll/157082/islamophobia-understanding-anti-muslim-sentiment-west.aspx)

The allegations of apartheid and discrimination against Palestinians by the Israeli government since 1945:

- The Israeli government has implemented policies and laws that systematically privilege Jewish Israelis over Palestinians, both within Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT) [[1]](https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution)[[2]](https://www.vox.com/23924319/israel-palestine-apartheid-meaning-history-debate). This includes restricting the rights and freedoms of Palestinians, such as their ability to move freely, access land and resources, and participate in the political process.

- Human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have concluded that these Israeli policies amount to the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution under international law [[1]](https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution)[[2]](https://www.vox.com/23924319/israel-palestine-apartheid-meaning-history-debate). They argue that there is an intent by the Israeli government to maintain the domination of Jewish Israelis over Palestinians.

- This systematic discrimination and oppression of Palestinians has been ongoing since 1948, when Israel was established, and has continued through the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip since 1967 [[1]](https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution). The search results describe this as an "institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination" against Palestinians.

- Some have gone so far as to characterize the situation as an "Islamocide" - the deliberate and systematic destruction or persecution of the Palestinian Muslim population [search query]. This reflects the severe and widespread nature of the human rights abuses committed against Palestinians.

In summary, the search results provide substantial evidence that the Israeli government has engaged in a prolonged campaign of apartheid, discrimination, and persecution against Palestinians since 1945, which some have described as amounting to an "Islamocide". This represents a grave violation of international human rights law. [[1]](https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution)[[2]](https://www.vox.com/23924319/israel-palestine-apartheid-meaning-history-debate)

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Learn more:
1. [A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution | HRW](https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution)
2. [Is Israel apartheid? Why some human rights groups say Israel practices apartheid. - Vox](https://www.vox.com/23924319/israel-palestine-apartheid-meaning-history-debate)