Bullying Faced by Muslim Students in Public Schools

Abstract Notwithstanding the substantial body of literature on discrimination toward American Muslims (who, at approximately 7 million persons, constitute a significant population group), and, especially since the 1990s, on the bullying of schoolchildren, a significant gap remains in knowledge about bullying faced by Muslim students in American public schools. Many Muslim families are worried about the safety of their children, concerned that they seem to be prime targets for religious bullying by their peers at school. This qualitative study explores the problem of bullying faced by Muslim students in American public schools. While adding to the knowledge base on religious bullying, it may also assist education policymakers, social workers, and community organizations at the local and national levels in the development of better strategies to address bullying, to ensure the well-being of Muslim students in public schools, and to ensure safer learning climates.