Beyond Single Narratives: Addressing Intersecting Oppressions Faced By Diverse Muslim Populations in Social Work

Social work faces a critical imperative to address the complex realities of diverse Muslim populations (including women, youth, refugees, immigrants, LGBTQ+, Black, and disabled individuals) often rendered invisible or misrepresented within the profession. A significant gap exists in social work research, policy, and practice regarding the compounded marginalization resulting from the intersections of systemic Islamophobia, anti-Muslim racism, sexism, ableism, xenophobia, and other forms of oppression. This systemic inadequacy creates profound barriers to equitable service access, engagement, culturally congruent care, and positive well-being outcomes, fundamentally challenging social work's commitment to social justice. This roundtable confronts this gap, addressing an issue of fundamental importance to the field. Â

This roundtable convenes experts to foster a critical dialogue on navigating these intersecting oppressions. Panelists will elaborate on distinct facets of the problem, moving from systemic analysis to practice innovation: 1) Deconstructing the pervasive impact of systemic Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism on social service systems, policy frameworks, and research paradigms; 2) Centering disability justice by exploring the "double invisibility" and unique challenges faced by Muslims with disabilities at the nexus of ableism and Islamophobia/racism; 3) Applying intersectionality and Contextual Approach to Acculturation Stress (CIAS) to grasp the compounded vulnerabilities and resilience among diverse Muslim subgroups; and 4) Identifying actionable strategies for developing anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and disability-just social work education, policy advocacy, and practice interventions.

This discussion will add to the current social work knowledge base. By moving beyond simplistic or monolithic portrayals of Muslim experiences, the roundtable will advance understanding of compounded marginalization and the specific ways intersecting oppressions manifest for diverse subgroups. It challenges existing research methodologies and theoretical applications, highlighting under-researched areas, particularly the intersection of disability and Muslim identity. The session integrates critical theoretical perspectives with empirical observations and practice-based wisdom, offering a more nuanced and holistic understanding crucial for the field's advancement. Â

The dialogue offers clear, meaningful implications for social work research, policy, and practice. Research implications include the urgent need for community-based participatory research (CBPR) with diverse Muslim communities, development of intersectional research methodologies, improved disaggregated data collection, and studies focusing on resilience factors. Policy implications involve advocating for anti-discriminatory policies within service provision, targeted funding for culturally and linguistically specific programs, inclusive refugee and immigrant integration policies that account for religious and disability needs, and challenging state-sponsored Islamophobia. Practice implications emphasize the need for enhanced practitioner training on Islamophobia and intersectionality, development of culturally adapted assessment tools and interventions, implementation of trauma-informed approaches acknowledging experiences of racism and religious discrimination, fostering disability accommodations, and promoting interfaith and cross-cultural collaboration. Â

The primary goal of this roundtable is to stimulate critical dialogue and foster a lively exchange of viewpoints among panelists and the audience. We aim to bridge gaps between research, policy, and practice by encouraging collaboration and shared learning. Audience participation will be actively encouraged to collectively identify barriers, promising strategies, and future directions for research and action necessary to promote equity and justice for diverse Muslim populations within social work systems. Â