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# Secretary Cardona Discusses with National Muslim, Arab, and Sikh Leaders the Alarming Rise of Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate in Schools and Colleges

# Secretary Cardona Discusses with National Muslim, Arab, and Sikh Leaders the Alarming Rise of Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate in Schools and Colleges

November 15, 2023

**Contact:  **press@ed.gov

                                    -        
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Deputy  Secretary Cindy Marten, and other senior Biden-Harris Administration officials  today met with national Muslim, Arab, and Sikh organization leaders. During the  meeting, they discussed new actions and resources  the Biden-Harris Administration has announced to counter the alarming  uptick in instances of Islamophobia, Antisemitism, and hate-fueled threats and  violence more broadly, in schools and college campuses. 

  The Administration officials heard from the leaders about  the extremely disturbing pattern of hate and threats of violence in  schools and college campuses since the October 7 Hamas terrorist  attacks in Israel. Secretary Cardona unequivocally denounced Islamophobia,  anti-Arab bigotry, Antisemitism, and all forms of hate.

  This meeting follows a similar engagement with Jewish  leaders to discuss Antisemitism in schools and college campuses.

  Last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s  (Department) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a Dear Colleague letter reminding PreK-12  schools and institutions of higher education of their legal obligations  under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) to provide all  students, including students who are or are perceived to be Jewish, Israeli,  Muslim, Arab, or Palestinian, a school environment free from discrimination  based on race, color, or national origin. OCR also expedited its update of its intake form for discrimination complaints  under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to specifically state that certain  forms of Islamophobia and antisemitism are prohibited by this law.

  The Department also announced a series of resources it has  released since the October 7 attacks. The Department’s Center for Faith-Based  and Neighborhood Partnerships published a landing page specifically for  resources to address Islamophobia. Earlier this month, the White House  announced that the Biden-Harris Administration will develop the  first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia. 

  Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice  President Harris, the Administration and the Department will continue to engage  with leading organizations and students to hear from them directly and take  additional actions to counter Islamophobia, anti-Arab bigotry, and all other  forms of hate.

  Additional participants in the meeting  included:  
- Rahmah Abdulaleem,       President-Elect, National Association of Muslim Lawyers
- Dr. Debbie Almontaser,       Founder and CEO, Bridging Cultures Group
- Wa’el Alzayat, CEO,       Emgage
- Lina Assi, Advocacy       Manager, Palestine Legal
- Abed Ayoub, National       Executive Director, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
- Maya Berry, Executive       Director, Arab American Institute
- Dr. Amal David,       Co-founder, Arab America Foundation
- Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,       School of Education, American University
- Maha Elgenaidi, Founder       and Executive Director, Islamic Networks Group
- Johaer Jilani, Muslim       Students Association National
- Tasneem Noor, Programs       Director, Muslim-Jewish New Ground
- Harman Singh, Policy and       Education Director, Sikh Coalition
- Dr. Shirin Sinnar,       Stanford University
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