The Lived Experiences of South Asian Muslims Living in the United States
[Thesis]
Malik, Isra
Velazquez Kenefick, Kristin
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
2019
103
Psy.D.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
2019
The September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center occurred over a decade ago and Muslims living in the United States continue to face discrimination and hate crimes. The hate crimes experienced by the Muslim population living in the United States includes varied forms of prejudice and discrimination. Furthermore, hate crimes experienced included acts of harassment and violence. The South Asian Muslim population, specifically, has been underrepresented in research studies. The present phenomenological study aimed to explore meaning that is held within the South Asian Muslim population living in the United States. The study included 10 participants who were interviewed for approximately 45-60 min each, and the interviews were analyzed to find a common understanding of what was experienced and how it was experienced. The results from this study included 6 common themes among participants. The themes included: (a) Immigration and acculturation, (b) English as a second language, (c) Islamophobia, (d) Islamic practice and involvement in Muslim community, (e) family and friends as support systems, and (f) coping with Islamophobia. These results include a variety of clinical and social implications, such as the need for the following: understanding that the acculturation process is different for every individual; understanding that more Muslims are seeking out mental health services with the overall rise in the Muslim population; understanding the religion Islam and who Muslims are; understanding the detrimental effects of Islamophobia and hate crimes on one's overall well-being; understanding the purpose of religious attire such as wearing a hijab; and understanding the role of culture and family for those that identify as Muslim. Lastly, policy implications include: making sure Muslims know their rights when traveling; observing religious holidays so that Muslims feel included in the host society; including a prayer room or private space to pray either in school or at work; mandating a world religions course in schools; and including dietary accommodations in a hospital and other settings, that meet the needs of Muslims.