A new report from the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Muslim students in California continue to be bullied because of their faith.
The study surveyed 600 students across the state, the largest portion of which were from San Diego County. More than half of the 165 Muslim students surveyed from San Diego County say they were bullied.
Hanif Mohebi from C.A.I.R. said this is everyone’s problem.
“Fifty-five percent of students reported bullying,” Mohebi said. "That’s one out of every two students. That’s major. That should be concerning to all of us.”
The World Health Organization reports that nationally about 30 percent of 15-year-olds say they were bullied.
Imam of the San Diego Islamic Center, Taha Hassane, is the father of four girls. He said San Diego Unified is trying to stop the victimization of Muslim students, but work still needs to be done.
“There is always there is room for improvement,” Hassane said. “Not only toward the Muslim kids, but toward all minorities that exist within the Unified School District.”
C.A.I.R. would like all school districts to include their bullying study in teacher education to help raise awareness and stop the victimization of Muslim students.
