Muslim women leaders keep advocating despite rising Islamophobia
According to study, about 72 percent of respondents say they have faced Islamophobia in professional settings
NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – A new study has found that nearly three quarters of Muslim women leading nonprofit organizations across the United States have experienced Islamophobia in professional settings, even as their organizations remain deeply active in civic life, policy advocacy and direct community service.
Researchers surveyed 292 Muslim women nonprofit leaders across 18 states, finding that around 72 percent reported encountering Islamophobia at work, ranging from harassment and bias incidents to more severe acts of intimidation including vandalism, graffiti and property damage. One leader described the impact on her staff and volunteers, citing anxiety, fear and trauma caused by repeated bias incidents and verbal abuse.
Despite this, the study found that the organizations these women lead are far from retreating from public life. Rather than focusing solely on religious or cultural programming, the vast majority are deeply embedded in broader social and political work spanning education, healthcare, housing, civil rights, mental health, anti-racism efforts and environmental protection.
Around 93 percent of organizations surveyed reported engaging in advocacy aimed at influencing public policy or government decisions, with many maintaining regular contact with officials, participating in advisory groups and publishing research to shape public debate.
About 57 percent said they discuss funding or contracts with government representatives, while more than half reported releasing reports to media outlets and policymakers, positioning themselves as experts on issues affecting their communities. Around 35 percent participate in formal planning or advisory roles, and a significant portion engage in lobbying and grassroots mobilization on issues including civil rights, immigration and healthcare access.
The research was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025, a period the study links to rising anti-Muslim discrimination across the United States. Data cited in the report documents thousands of complaints of anti-Muslim incidents in 2024 alongside a continued rise in hate crimes in major cities, with researchers pointing to global tensions and domestic political conflict as contributing factors that have carried into 2026.
The researchers conclude that rather than withdrawing in response to discrimination, Muslim women leaders are expanding their influence through advocacy, coalition building and sustained engagement with government institutions. They note that longer-term research will be needed to understand how patterns of discrimination affect the strategies and effectiveness of Muslim women-led civic organizations over time.
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