U.S Educational Department and Their Legal Obligation Against Discrimination with Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian, Hindu, and Palestinian Students.

Discrimination is “A fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims or non-Muslim individuals that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism which targets the symbols and markers of a being a Muslim.”

Anti-Muslim hate:

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly condemned the continuing acts of anti-Muslim hatred and bigotry around the world, warning on several occasions that this worrying trend targets not only Muslims but also Jews, minority Christian communities and others.

In his message for the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres warns that Muslims face institutional discrimination, barriers and violations of their human rights and dignity. “Divisive rhetoric and misrepresentation are stigmatizing communities. Online hate speech is fueling real-life violence”, he added.

Calling for a strong stance against all forms of bigotry, the Secretary-General urges leaders and individuals alike to condemn inflammatory discourse, safeguard religious freedom and promote mutual respect and understanding, while digital platforms must take a stand against hateful content and protect users from harassment.

Recent measures to combat Islamophobia include the adoption by the General Assembly of a new resolution requesting the Secretary-General to appoint a United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

U.S. National Strategy:

Today, he and Vice President Harris are announcing that their Administration will develop the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia in the United States. We look forward to continuing our work with community leaders, advocates, members of Congress, and more to develop the strategy  which will be a joint effort led by the Domestic Policy Council and the National Security Council  and counter the scourge of Islamophobia and hate in all its forms. For too long, Muslims in America, and those perceived to be Muslim, such as Arabs and Sikhs, have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks and other discriminatory incidents. We all mourn the recent barbaric killing of Wadea Al-Fayoum, a 6-year-old Palestinian American Muslim boy, and the brutal attack on his mother in their home outside Chicago.

U.S Announcement:

Today’s announcement is the latest step as part of President Biden’s directive last year to establish an interagency group to increase and better coordinate U.S. Government efforts to counter Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, and related forms of bias and discrimination within the United States. Moving forward, the President, Vice President, and our entire Administration will continue working to ensure every American has the freedom to live their lives in safety and without fear for how they pray, what they believe, and who they are.

OCR Letter:

In addition to today’s letter, OCR has issued other resources to support schools in complying with their obligations under Title VI. These resources include:

• Dear Colleague Letter: Discrimination, including Harassment, Based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics (November 2023);
• Fact Sheet Protecting Students from Discrimination Based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics (January 2023);
• Dear Colleague Letter: Addressing Discrimination Against Jewish Students (May 2023), issued as part of the Department’s launch of an Antisemitism Awareness Campaign.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today reminded schools of their obligations to address discrimination against Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian, Hindu, and Palestinian students.

Reminder:

This reminder, sent as a Dear Colleague Letter, is one component of the Biden-Harris Administration’s forthcoming National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias and Discrimination and issued ahead of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, which will observed Friday, March 15.

“I am deeply disturbed by increasing reports of anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian harassment in schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Hate has no place in our nation’s classrooms or on our college campuses, and the Department committed to providing school communities with the information and resources they need to prevent and combat Islamophobia and related forms of discrimination.”

The letter reminds schools of their legal obligation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and its implementing regulations to provide all students with a school environment free from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.

Further letter:

Further, the letter explains that schools that receive federal financial assistance from the Department have a responsibility to address discrimination against students. Including Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian, Hindu, and Palestinian students, when the discrimination.  Involves racial, ethnic, or ancestral slurs or stereotypes with based on a student’s skin color, physical features, or style of dress that reflects both ethnic and religious traditions. Or based on the country or region where a student is from or perceived to have come from, including with examples. But discrimination based on a student’s accent or name, a student’s limited English proficiency, or a student speaking a language other than English.

OCR continues to stand ready to fulfill the promise of Title VI to ensure every student, including Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian, Hindu, and Palestinian students, has equal access to educational opportunities that are free from discrimination,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon. The release of the letter continues the Department’s work in advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias and Discrimination. In November, the Department issued a fact sheet outlining various resources to keep students safe in the classroom and on campuses. Senior administration officials have also conducted site visits to schools and institutions of higher education, as well as held listening sessions with impacted communities.