Survey reveals that nearly half of the participants have experienced bullying due to their religious identity
(BOSTON, MA, 2/5/2025) – The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA) today released a groundbreaking report titled “Silenced Voices: Examining Bullying and Islamophobia in Massachusetts Public Schools.” This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the alarming rate of bullying directed at Muslim students across the state, exacerbated by global and national political climates, such as the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Based on a survey administered to 325 Muslim students from grades 6th to 12th across eleven counties in Massachusetts, the findings reveal that nearly half of the participants have experienced bullying due to their religious identity.
“This report is a call to action,” stated Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Esq., Executive Director of CAIR-MA. “The voices of our students are pleading for change, and it is imperative that school administrators, teachers, and policy-makers heed this call to ensure our schools are safe for all students regardless of faith.”
The report indicates that 48% of Muslim students faced bullying the previous school year. This is more than double the national rate for public school students aged 12-18 in 2021-2022 (Source: National Center for Education Statistics). Disturbingly, accounts of physical violence are described in this report, including an incident where a student was rushed to the emergency room after being poisoned by a classmate.
“Such incidents highlight the severe implications of Islamophobia in our educational institutions,” said Fatuma Mohamed, Youth Advocacy Director at CAIR-MA. “It is not only about hurt feelings; it’s about physical safety and educational equity.”
The report outlines specific recommendations for schools, parents, and community leaders to address and mitigate these challenges. These include implementing comprehensive anti-bullying policies, enhancing educational content about Islam and Muslims, and fostering a school environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
Key Findings Include:
- Among students who wear the hijab, 35% reported experiencing physical harassment at school, including incidents where their hijabs were pulled or removed.
- 23% of students reported altering or considering altering their appearance, behavior, or name to hide the fact that they are Muslim.
- 35% of students reported that teachers or staff made offensive comments about Islam or Muslims, either inside or outside of school.
CAIR-MA’s Recommendations
The Report provided recommendations for school leadership, parents, students, and mosques and community centers. Key recommendations to school leadership, including teachers & administrators include:
- Create Educational Opportunities to Combat Bias Against Muslims
- Provide Cultural Competency Training & Awareness of Islamophobia
- Support Student Organizations
- Provide Accommodations for Religious Practices
CAIR-MA urges educational leaders and policymakers to consider the report’s findings and take decisive action to protect all students from bullying and discrimination. “Our schools must be havens of safety and respect,” emphasized Amatul-Wadud. “We owe it to our children to create environments where diversity is not just tolerated, but embraced.”
The full report, including detailed findings and recommendations, is available here. CAIR-MA will host a community webinar to discuss the findings of this report on Tuesday February 11, 2025 from 6-7:30pm. Registration is required.
In November, the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), along with its Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bullying (CPHB) released its second campus climate report titled Examining Islamophobia on College Campuses. The report, based on survey responses from students at 87 colleges and universities across California, reveals a significant rise in harassment and discrimination against Muslim students, with nearly 50% reporting negative experiences on campus.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations – Massachusetts (CAIR-MA) is a chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil rights organization. CAIR-MA’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote social justice and mutual understanding. For more information on how you can support CAIR-MA’s efforts, visit https://www.cairma.org/.
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CONTACT: Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Esq., Executive Director of CAIR-MA, tamatul-wadud@cair.com, 617-862-9159