Salaam John,

Yesterday, the White House unveiled the inaugural U.S. National Strategy to Combat Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate, a long-overdue step toward addressing these pervasive issues. This strategy, created through a whole-of-government effort and with input from Muslim and Arab communities, addresses the long history of bias, discrimination, and threats they have faced. It reflects years of advocacy by Muslim and Arab Americans and their allies, beginning with a 2020 call to then-candidate Biden.

Alongside over 50 Muslim organizations and allies, Emgage Action shared input to ensure our voices are heard and included in every level of policymaking. This strategy outlines more than 100 Executive Branch actions and over 100 calls to action for every sector of society. It tackles issues such as hate crimes, bullying, workplace discrimination, and threats to safety, ensuring that Muslim and Arab Americans can enjoy equal liberties and opportunities.

Over the past year, this initiative has become even more urgent as threats against our communities have surged. In October 2023, six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, a Palestinian American boy, was tragically murdered in his home in Illinois—a chilling reminder of the dehumanization our communities endure. Additionally, Islamophobia and anti-Arab sentiment have been fueled by the ongoing violence in Gaza, which has left countless innocent lives in jeopardy. This war must end, and we urgently call for a ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and to promote peace.

The National Strategy focuses on four key priorities:

Raising Awareness: Increasing recognition of the heritage and contributions of Muslims and Arabs while countering baseless stereotypes and prejudice through education and data collection.
Ensuring Safety and Security: Strengthening protections for nonprofits, addressing discriminatory practices, and fostering trust between government and community members.
Combating Discrimination: Tackling bias in areas like education, housing, and healthcare while expanding accommodations for religious practices and freedoms.
Fostering Solidarity: Building cross-community partnerships to counter hate and strengthen unity across diverse communities.

This strategy not only addresses immediate threats but also sets the stage for continued collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, as well as international and nongovernmental organizations, to affirm our shared values of justice, equality, and inclusion. Read more about the strategy here.

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