Biden Administration Unveils 1st National Strategy to Combat Islamophobia

The White House announced on Thursday a national strategy aimed at combating Islamophobia, detailing over 100 actions to address hate, violence, and discrimination against Muslim and Arab American communities, Anadolu Agency reported. This marks the first initiative of its kind by the U.S. government and follows a similar strategy against antisemitism introduced in 2023.

The announcement comes in response to escalating threats, highlighted by the tragic killing of 6-year-old Palestinian-American Wadee Alfayoumi in October 2023. The strategy focuses on four main priorities: raising awareness of anti-Muslim hatred, enhancing safety and security, tackling systemic discrimination, and fostering cross-community solidarity.

The administration plans to invest in nonprofit security, improve access to funding, correct discriminatory travel restrictions, and enhance resources for reporting hate crimes. However, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) criticized the plan, stating it is “too little, too late.” They argue that while the 67-page document offers positive recommendations, it fails to address systemic issues and the ongoing violence in Gaza, undermining the credibility of the administration’s commitment to combating Islamophobia.