The “U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate” is a policy debuted by the administration dedicated to preventing hate crimes against Muslims and people of Arab Americans in the country. Touted by the administration as the first of its kind, the newly announced government policy presents a guideline to implement federal policies intended to tackle Islamophobia and other discriminatory acts.  

“Today, the White House is releasing the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate,” read a White House press release. “The Strategy was developed through a whole-of-government collaboration with a broad range of civil society partners to describe and address the bias, discrimination, and threats Muslim and Arab Americans have long faced.”

The White House referenced the murder of six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi in October 2023 in explaining the need for such a policy decision. They also mentioned “other grievous attacks on Muslim and Arab Americans” as a catalyst for the program. 

“Over the past year, this initiative has become even more important as threats against American Muslim and Arab communities have spiked,” read the release. 

To achieve its objective, the White House announced policies that would be implemented by “100 Executive Branch Actions” and “100 Calls to Action” to address anti-Arab hate crimes in the country. The White House declared the new program will focus on “every sector of society” to ensure that “Muslim and Arab Americans enjoy the liberties and opportunities that are the bedrock of our country.”

“With this initiative, we are creating a path for progress, in partnership with all levels of government, civil society, and the private sector, both now and over the long term,” read the press release.

The White House announced the four priorities that will comprise the new initiative: increasing awareness of hatred against Muslims and Arabs while expanding recognition of their heritages; improving safety for Muslims and Arabs; tackling Muslim and Arab discrimination and appropriately accommodating their religious practices; and fortifying cross-community solidarity and collective action to counter discrimination. 

“While individuals have sometimes been targeted because they are thought to be Muslim, it is also crucial to recognize that Arabs are routinely targeted simply for being who they are,” noted the release in an elaboration of one of the priorities. “Through new data collection and innovative educational efforts, the Administration is increasing awareness of these forms of hate as well of the proud heritages of Muslim and Arab Americans.” 

The White House concluded its announcement by reinforcing the country’s privileges and freedoms and ensuring that such rights are available to everyone. 

“We urge our state, local, and international counterparts, as well as the nongovernmental sector, to pursue similar initiatives that seek to build greater unity by recognizing our common humanity, affirming our shared values and history, and embracing equal justice, liberty, and security for all,” read the release.