The Impact of Islamophobia on Muslim Students: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Despite the rise in anti-Islamic sentiment, Muslim youth’s experiences of religious discrimination are under researched. The goal of this paper is to better understand the complexities associated with religious discrimination for youth and adolescents and how to mitigate the harm caused by these discriminatory experiences. This mixed methods systematic review consists of 44 qualitative and quantitative studies from 34 journals, discussing experiences of religious discrimination for participants ages 4–25 both in the United States and internationally. This review discussed student experiences, the context of school as a conduit for discrimination, how students responded to these instances, including protective factors and recommendations for future research and policy.

Impact Statement

This article systematically examined experiences of discrimination faced by Muslim students in Pre-K–12 and university settings. The results have implications for researchers, policymakers, and school staff on how to mitigate discriminatory acts toward Muslim students to create a safe and inclusive school environment for all students. Educators and school staff must work on reducing their individual and classroom biases through cultural competence training and a more inclusive curriculum. Policymakers should work to create inclusive practices that promote equity for Muslim students, and researchers should conduct additional projects to better understand the scope and outcomes associated with Islamophobia in schools.

Keywords:

• Muslim
• Islam
• students
• discrimination
• outcomes

Associate Editor:

• Samuel Y. Song

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nadin Abu Khalaf

Nadin Abu Khalaf is a senior undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Human Development and Family Studies and minoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences. Nadin’s research interests include investigating how stressful and traumatic experiences impact children and adolescents’ mental health and speech development.

Ashley B. Woolweaver

Ashley B. Woolweaver, MPS., is the research coordinator for the Espelage Research Addressing Violence in Education (RAVE) lab in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has a Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration from Penn State University. Her research interests include improving social systems to better support youth and families to increase their quality of life as well as to reduce risky criminal behaviors and involvement in the justice system

Roslyn Reynoso Marmolejos

Roslyn Reynoso Marmolejos is a senior undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Neuroscience and Health and Society. Roslyn plans to enroll in a physician assistant program upon graduation. Her research interests include investigating intersectional inequalities in healthcare, specifically mental health among adolescent and adult racial and ethnic minorities, as well as mental health promotion.

Grace A. Little

Grace A. Little is a preschool teacher with bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests include early childhood education and intervention and equity in schools.

Katheryn Burnett

Katheryn Burnett, B.A., is an intern in the Espelage Research Addressing Violence in Education (RAVE) lab in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has a B.A. in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests include improving and expanding mental health care access for marginalized communities.

Dorothy L. Espelage

Dorothy L. Espelage, is a William C. Friday Professor of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has investigated bullying and identity-based harassment in K–12 settings in the U.S. and globally for the past 25 years.