Civil rights group publishes first-ever report on demographics and discrimination of Washington state Muslims

(SEATTLE, WA, 9/25/2024) – The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today published a report detailing findings from the 2024 Washington Muslim Survey, which covers demographics, experiences of discrimination, and policy engagement among Muslims 13 and older living in Washington state.

In April of 2024, CAIR-WA surveyed 684 Muslims over the age of 13 living in Washington state, receiving 542 complete responses.

The report can be viewed and downloaded at cairwa.org/WAMS.

“The impact of the CAIR-WA Washington Muslim Survey cannot be overstated,” said Basima Sisemore, the Global Justice Program Senior Researcher at the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. “It serves as the initial blueprint for an essential tool and resource that can be refined and expanded upon. It showcases the rich diversity and contributions of Muslim-Americans and quantifies the impacts of discrimination and othering that affect the US Muslim community at large.”

“This data starkly reveals a reality that we’ve sensed for years: anti-Muslim discrimination in Washington state is at crisis levels,” said Sumayyah Waheed, CAIR-WA Board member. “It’s a travesty that over 90% of Muslims in Washington state have experienced bias or discrimination. From workplaces to schools to law enforcement, we have much work to do to eradicate bias and discrimination. Thanks to this report, we now have detailed data to help us take informed and urgent action. Policymakers and leaders are on notice to take diverse Muslim communities into consideration when developing policy solutions to ensure that all of our communities can thrive.”

“The Washington Muslim Survey marks a pivotal moment for our community, providing us with the necessary data to advocate for meaningful policy change,” said Najma Osman, Policy Associate at CAIR-WA. “By illuminating the diverse experiences and challenges faced by Muslims in Washington, this survey equips us with the insights needed to engage effectively with lawmakers. It is imperative that our leaders consider this data in their decision-making processes to create inclusive policies that promote equity and protect the rights of all communities in our state.”

The findings in this report provide a wealth of information about the identities, experiences, and needs of Washington’s Muslim community, including that a staggering 91.7% of respondents had experienced discrimination, and 82.5% had experienced discrimination within the past year.

CAIR-WA plans to administer this survey periodically to maintain up-to-date and longitudinal data.

From January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023.

SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024

Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.