Islamophobia’s Foul Tides Rising Again

The past few months have seen a disturbing surge in Islamophobic rhetoric, particularly among Republican politicians. After Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s Democratic US Senate primary, several high-profile Republicans condemned him as a “terrorist,” “radical Islamist,” and “jihadist.” This kind of language is not only hurtful but also eerily familiar.

The current wave of Islamophobia bears an unsettling resemblance to the post-9/11 era, when anti-Muslim sentiment reached a fever pitch. Researchers at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) have tracked this trend over the years and note that the latest surge is particularly pronounced among white and Hispanic Americans. A Pew Research Center survey this spring found that 51% of US adults believe Islam encourages violence, up from just 25% six months after the 2001 attacks.

Donald Trump’s infamous call for a “total and complete shutdown” on Muslims entering the US in 2015 set a disturbing precedent, which his successor in the Oval Office seems eager to follow. Vice-president JD Vance labeled El-Sayed as “very, very evil” at a Michigan rally, while Senator Ted Cruz characterized him as an “Islamist” who wants Sharia law.

The rhetoric has become coarser and more brazen. Mobashra Tazamal, associate director of Georgetown University’s Bridge Initiative, notes that the shift is “almost as if the veil has been lifted.” The attacks on Muslim candidates are not limited to individual politicians but have also seeped into policy debates. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has been waging a crusade against what he calls the imposition of Islamic law, ordering reviews of state grants and referring privately funded wudu stations to federal regulators.

The Islamophobia Index created by ISPU provides a disturbing snapshot of this trend. The 100-point scale built using common anti-Muslim stereotypes rose from 25 in 2022 to 33 among the general public in 2025, with the sharpest increases among white and Hispanic Americans. This kind of data is not just alarming; it also raises questions about the role of politicians in perpetuating these attitudes.

Researchers caution against treating every attack on El-Sayed or Mamdani as bigotry, pointing out that some criticisms are legitimate. However, when this kind of language is used repeatedly by high-profile politicians, it creates a toxic atmosphere that emboldens extremist groups and undermines the rights of Muslim Americans.

The Republican leadership’s relative silence in the face of these attacks only adds to the problem. As Tazamal noted, “It’s just straight bigotry.” The current wave of Islamophobia is not just a reflection of American values but also a stark reminder that we have yet to learn from our past mistakes.

As we head into the midterms, it is essential to recognize the implications of this trend. When politicians use language that dehumanizes and demonizes entire communities, they create an environment in which hate crimes and discriminatory practices thrive. The surge in anti-Sharia campaigns is not just a symptom of Islamophobia but also a reflection of the broader problem – that politicians are willing to exploit fear and prejudice for short-term gains.

Engaging with the nuances of this issue is complicated, but one thing is clear: we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this rising tide of Islamophobia. The attacks on Muslim candidates are not just personal but also reflective of deeper anxieties about cultural identity and national security.

Ultimately, it’s up to American voters to demand better from their politicians. We need leaders who will stand up against hate speech, promote understanding and empathy, and recognize the inherent value of diversity. The future of American democracy depends on our ability to confront this issue head-on and reject the foul tides of Islamophobia that are rising again.