New survey reveals sharp rise in discrimination against Muslim female students in US universities

A new survey, published by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) California chapter and the Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bias (CPHB), reveals that half of Muslim female students at California universities faced discrimination and racist behavior over the past year.

The research included responses from 720 students across 87 public and private colleges and universities in California, indicating a 10% rise in Islamophobia since 2020.

Findings also show a sharp increase in racism over the last three years, with the Israeli war on Gaza contributing to heightened Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian sentiment, and anti-Arab racism in universities.

Osman Khan, Director of the Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bias, stated that last year was particularly challenging for Muslim female students, especially after they expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, who have faced oppression and brutality for 75 years.