REDMOND, Wash. — A groundbreaking new study from a grassroots civil rights and advocacy organization serving the Muslim community sheds light on a troubling trend in our community.
The first-of-its-kind report from CAIR-WA reveals a majority of Muslims said they have experienced discrimination and hate crimes. CAIR-WA's report revealed "the total percentage of respondents who experienced Islamophobic discrimination in the past year was 82.5%."
For Adam Jamal, the head Imam at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound, the numbers the report were sobering, even saddening.
"82.5% is a huge number, that 82.5% of Muslims have experienced discrimination," he said. "It's not surprising to me that it is that amount. I think that's surprising...it hurts that it's a real number."
To put things into perspective, according to World Population Review, approximately 27,400 Muslims currently live in Washington state.
The survey also shows nearly 40% of respondents experienced heightened discrimination since Oct. 7, 2023, when the war between Israel and Gaza began.
The numbers at least feel accurate to Jamal, who said he's been hearing consistently from his congregation about their experiences with prejudice.
"People had shared with me their stories, and I asked them, 'Hey, can you share this story,' and they didn't want to," he said. "They said they didn't want to be targeted. They didn't feel safe sharing."
One person wrote to the Imam, telling him, “I am sorry. I wouldn't want to go on any interview. I don't need to bring attention to myself or the kids in this sick community we live in. Sorry."
Jamal said he understands why no one would want to speak publicly to a local television station about the most hurtful parts of their lives, especially when it happens frequently.
"Many women have complained to me that they wear hijab, and it's gotten pulled at at the grocery store, walking on the street, in town, all kinds of places," Jamal added.
Kids aren't immune to the prejudice either.
"My community members have told me about their kids being bullied at school, religious phrases of Muslims being utilized in that bullying," Jamal said. "As an example, the words 'Allahu Akbar,' which means 'God is great,' and for that to be utilized in our own bullying of our own children in school is really terrible."
The mosque has also taken matters of protection into its own hands.
"We've had armed security throughout the week, because of the attacks on mosques, churches and synagogues we saw," Jamal said, adding that it hasn't been an easy decision to make.
"We just feel like we have to defend ourselves against anyone who has ill intentions, and we can't trust anyone else to do it for us," he said.
Jamal said he's hopeful positive strides can be made through conversation and education.
"Read the report, help us to understand what can be done," he said. "Let's look at other communities and how they have fought against prejudice and discrimination and how can we organize events and workshops and classes whether it's for corporate groups or educational groups, unions, whatever it takes. How can we get out there and share what Islam truly is, and we're this local presence we've been here for years, and we'll continue to be here, and we don't need to prove that we are American."
