Washington, D.C./ Politics & Govt
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Published on June 17, 2024
Biden-Harris Administration Launches First-Ever National Strategy to Counter IslamophobiaSource: Google Street View

As Eid-al-Adha is observed with solemn reflection amid global and domestic strife, the Biden-Harris Administration has put forth actionable measures aimed at addressing the surge of Islamophobia that has gripped communities across the nation. In a move to solidify their commitment to fostering a society where every individual's faith can be practiced free from fear, the Administration announced, as noted on the White House website, the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias and Discrimination.

On March 15, President Biden marked the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, expressing his deep concern with the rise in Islamophobic sentiment and affirming his Administration's dedication to a globally tolerant community—the Department of Education and the Justice Department concurrently disseminated reminders and statements reinforcing these ideals and frameworks to counteract bigotry, including vital resources on hate crimes and civil rights protections, such as the Office for Civil Rights issuing a "Dear Colleague Letter" to educational institutions. The Fiscal Year 2024 National Security Supplemental smartly incorporated an additional $400 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program addressing heightened security measures for mosques and various houses of worship.

Employment rights were highlighted by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which distributed a fact sheet detailing the illegality of Anti-Arab, Anti-Middle Eastern, Anti-Muslim, and Antisemitic discrimination in the workplace, a commendable effort that has already seen an extensive circulation through outreach initiatives. The Department of Education has continued in kind, curating K-12 educator resources in anticipation of Ramadan which serve to support Muslim students and sharing updated guidance regarding expressions of faith in schools; this initiative was extensively overviewed in a detailed letter earlier in May 2024 highlighting against discriminatory instances.

Additional strides have been marked by the Department of Labor which released a “Know Your Rights” document aimed at enlightening union members of their protections against workplace discrimination—also the Department of Housing and Urban Development has earmarked $500,000 to enhance education on fair housing laws targeting religious discrimination, including Islamophobia and Antisemitism ; not to be outdone, the USDA's emphasis on expanding access to halal food demonstrates practical support for those with dietary needs dictated by faith, engaging in conversations that target insufficiencies within school systems and underserved communities alike. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) communities gained a significant victory in visibility through the Office of Management and Budget's inclusivity efforts in census data collection.

Furthering the conversation, the President’s Committee for the Artists and humanities sectors showcased solidarity through "Artists for Understanding," a new initiative leveraging the transformative power of arts to combat hate. Equally, eight different agencies solidified their understanding of Title VI's protections against shared ancestry or ethnic characteristic discrimination—a legal clarification bridging the gap between written law and lived experience.