All posts tagged: Center for the Study of Organized Hate

San Diego mosque shooting reflects how online rhetoric, media depictions and political discourse contribute to increased Islamophobia

San Diego mosque shooting reflects how online rhetoric, media depictions and political discourse contribute to increased Islamophobia

(The Conversation) — Many Muslim Americans are fearful following a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego that left three worshipers dead. Investigators reportedly found hate speech and anti-Islamic writing inside the vehicle of the suspected shooters, who killed themselves soon after the attack. The director of the Islamic Center, Taha Hassane, condemned the attack while also encouraging individuals to respond with tolerance and love. “All of us are responsible for spreading the culture of tolerance, the culture of love,” he said, while lamenting the conditions that had led to such violence. The attack comes just one week before the celebration of Eid al-Adha, an annual festival celebrating the Prophet Abraham’s – Ibrahim in Arabic – willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, and the conclusion of the annual Hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam. It also comes on the heels of ongoing tensions in the Middle East and increasing political rhetoric in the United States. Republicans in Congress held hearings during the week of …

How Islamophobic rhetoric leaves an impact on the mental health of Muslim Americans

How Islamophobic rhetoric leaves an impact on the mental health of Muslim Americans

(The Conversation) — The war with Iran has led to a surge in anti-Muslim rhetoric – spilling into political discourse. U.S. Rep. Randy Fine of Florida posted on X that “the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one,” and added in another post, “We need more Islamophobia, not less.” Similarly, U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas called for stopping the entry of “Muslims immigrating to America.” A study by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate found that the average number of Islamophobic posts jumped from 2,000 to 6,000 each day on X alone in the first six days of the conflict. I have studied the impact of Islamophobia on mental health over the past two decades, following soaring hate crimes in the wake of 9/11. Research consistently shows that negative portrayals of Muslims shape public attitudes toward Muslims and can lead to increased discrimination, hate crimes and psychological consequences. Increase in Islamophobia Islamophobia in the United States tends to surge during global conflicts, political campaigns and terrorist attacks. Human Rights …