How to Support Muslim Students

The United States is home to 3.45 million Muslims, or followers of Islam — the world’s fastest-growing religion. According to the most recent FBI data, over 13% of anti-religious hate crimes are committed against Muslims.

Islamophobic incidents on campus have increased in response to the Israel-Hamaas war. Support of Muslim students at colleges and universities is critical. Academic and social structures must honor students’ well-being alongside their academic goals.

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, religious-based hate crimes on college campuses nearly doubled between 2009 and 2017. The increase is largely attributed to anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish crimes. The 2015 murders of three Muslim college students showcase the dangerous level of Islamophobia in the country.

Muslim students report increasing noncriminal hate incidents — verbal slurs, hate speech, offensive materials shared — on and off campus. Hate incidents often go unreported or are inaccurately labeled in government statistics, leaving communities to misunderstand or underestimate the level of discrimination against Muslims.

According to Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS), 58% of Muslim students somewhat or strongly agreed that their campus is welcoming of religious diversity. This means many other Muslim students may feel unsupported on campus.

And nearly 25% of Muslim students do not feel their religious holidays were accommodated by faculty and staff. Islamic holidays are not U.S. federal holidays, requiring students to seek accommodations from faculty to participate in services and celebrations.

The lack of diversity education for students and staff reduces opportunities for understanding, inclusivity, and overall support. Seventy percent of college students support “bridging religious divides.” However, only about 30% of students said they built the skills needed to understand and connect with diverse groups of people, according to the IDEALS survey.

Educating students and faculty on religious diversity can help improve inclusivity. According to an IDEALS survey, less than half of students learned about religious diversity during required campus experiences. Mandatory general education courses on religion, diversity and inclusion trainings, and interfaith dialogues can help promote the understanding and support of Muslim students.

Campus communities can learn to identify, understand, and avoid bias through direct learning. Acknowledge the existence of Islamophobia, hate crimes, and hate incidents on college campuses. Explicitly teaching students the definition and scope of hate crimes, hate incidents, and Islamophobia can help reduce their occurrences.

Expand diversity efforts to include Muslim teachers, faculty, and staff. Uplift the perspectives of Muslim staff members who offer improvements for campus support of Muslim students. Develop mentorship programs between Muslim faculty and students as a way to boost confidence and provide supportive guidance.

Establish spaces where students can safely take part in religious practices. Designated locations should welcome students of all religious affiliations. Offer interfaith programs and open conversations that advance learning and connection. Discuss interfaith spaces and welcoming policies on campus diversity materials to highlight an avenue of support.

Ensure that dining hall policies support the dietary needs of Muslim students. Provide descriptive ingredient labels, so students can avoid foods like pork and alcohol used in cooking, and allow students to leave dining halls with meals during holidays like Ramadan.

According to IDEALS, only 46% of students set aside time to learn about Muslims while in college. Understanding Islam increases opportunities to understand Muslim peers.

Campus- and community-led interfaith experiences offer guided conversation and inclusive learning opportunities. Participate in interfaith dialogues and share your own religious beliefs and experiences. Taking part in interfaith activities that support religious understanding and acceptance can enhance your connection to your peers.

Allyship requires action. Learn to be someone Muslims can feel safe being around and even becoming friends with. Stand in solidarity with Muslim students by challenging Islamophobia on campus. Bring attention and awareness to Islamic holidays and the need to observe and honor their importance.

Demand action from campus administration to increase inclusivity on campus. Ask Muslim advocates and activists what kind of support and resources they need to achieve their goals, and work to provide it.

Inclusive college campuses support students of all backgrounds throughout their college experience. Muslim students require intentional support from institutions to counteract Islamophobia and hate crimes. Support Muslim students’ academic pursuits, individual well-being, and societal contributions on and off campus.