ISSUES ---- important discussions

Discrimination Against the Arabic and Muslim Communities

TW: Discrimination towards Muslims/Arabs, violence, mentions of rape and sexual assault

I got a request from a user yesterday to talk about discrimination against the Arabic and Muslim communities, which is good timing considering it is currently Ramadan (to all who celebrate, Ramadan Mubarak! (i think that's how you write it?)). This is an important issue to talk about, however I am not previously educated on the subject very much, so if there is any misinformation, please let me know! (Really, just let me know if you see any misinformation here)

From what I know currently, Muslims specifically have been discriminated against a lot more in recent years since 9/11, and this prejudice is wholly unjustified. Yes, the organization that committed the terrorism was/is Muslim, however this is a very radical form from what I understand. It falls under the Sunni jihadist category, and is a very small group of people compared to the larger Muslim population. Muslims who were not involved in the attack, AKA 99.99999999 percent of Muslims are not responsible for that group's actions and never will be. There was nothing they could have done to prevent it, and there's nothing they can do now to change it. It happened. It was tragic and horrible, but it happened.

Islamophobia is a huge problem in the United States, and yet it isn't talked about enough. There have been so many Muslims who have been turned away from a job or service simply because of their religion.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, "The House of Representatives passed a bill designed to halt the resettlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees to the United States. Congress tightened controls in the visa waiver program by passing a law that enshrines discrimination against dual nationals of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria, or anyone who has visited those countries in recent years — including the relatives of American citizens wanting to visit family." 

Islamophobia is also a huge issue in other countries as well. I'm sure you've heard of the new laws in France banning girls under 18 from wearing hijabs or other religious clothing in public and hijabi women from going on school field trips, among other things. Many claim it is to free these women and girls, that they are oppressed when they wear their hijabs (and other religious head coverings), and this will help liberate them, however banning hijabs is a form of oppression. These women and girls CHOOSE to wear these garments as a part of their faith and beliefs. 

Another part of the new laws is banning homeschooling for Muslims, making formal education necessary. In addition, the government has the right to close mosques and other Muslim associations if they deem it fit. Another thing this bill will do is prevent people from choosing doctors based on gender for any reason, which not only goes against some religions, it can also be triggering for survivors of rape and sexual assault. There are a ton of other problematic conditions described in these new changes, and are targeted directly at Muslims.

I'm sure there are a ton of other issues regarding Islamophobia, but this is just a general overview of issues regarding it and I'm planning on posting more chapters in the future.