Nadia B. Ahmad

Volume 28.1 (download PDF)

Abstract

This article examines the challenges facing Muslim Americans, particularly Muslim women, as they confront systemic bias, intersectional oppression, and the racialization of religion in the United States. Through personal narrative and critical legal scholarship, it explores the pervasive nature of Islamophobia in political, academic, and societal spaces, highlighting its deep entrenchment in media and public policy. The author recounts a gendered Islamophobic attack during the 2024 Democratic National Committee’s Convention as an example of how prejudice and political intimidation intersect to marginalize Muslims. Using this experience as a foundation, the article critiques structural inequities reinforced through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that fail to disrupt entrenched systems of racism. It draws on emerging MusCrit scholarship, which situates Muslim identity within critical race theory, to advocate for counter-narratives that challenge reductive and racialized depictions of Islam.

The article further critiques media portrayals of Muslims and other marginalized groups, demonstrating how narratives tied to the War on Terror and War on Drugs dehumanize entire communities to sustain imperialist ideologies. It calls for transformative changes in educational and societal frameworks that foster empathy, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement with marginalized identities. By advocating for the reimagining of pedagogical practices and policy approaches, the article seeks to advance justice and equity. This interdisciplinary work contributes actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and legal professionals dedicated to addressing systemic inequities and fostering a truly inclusive and compassionate society.