US unveils first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia
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WASHINGTON: (Web Desk) President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also presidential candidate for US election 2024, announced the first-ever US National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia in the United States.

The strategy is a joint effort led by the Domestic Policy Council and National Security Council to counter Islamophobia and hate in all its forms.

“For too long, Muslims in America, and those perceived to be Muslim, such as Arabs and Sikhs, have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks and other discriminatory incidents,” a press release released by the administration said.

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The statement condemned the recent killing of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American Muslim boy, and the attack on his mother in their home outside of Chicago on Oct. 14.

The administration will also work with community leaders, advocates, members of Congress and others to further develop the strategy.

“Moving forward, the President, Vice President, and our entire Administration will continue working to ensure every American has the freedom to live their lives in safety and without fear for how they pray, what they believe, and who they are,” it concluded.

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In November 2023, Harris said in a video, "For years, Muslims in America and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fuelled attacks.”

"As a result of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we have seen an uptick in anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents across America, including the brutal attack of a Palestinian-American woman, who is Muslim, and the killing of her 6-year-old son."

Harris said the plan will aim to "protect Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim from hate, bigotry and violence. And to address the concern that some government policies may discriminate against Muslims".

President Biden’s support among Arab-Americans has fallen to 17% after he backed Israel’s war on Hamas, a poll commissioned by the Arab American Institute found. Forty percent of Arab-American respondents said they would vote for Donald Trump.