Reuters / Lyle Stafford
The midterms have seen a huge spike in anti-Muslim rhetoric with almost all attacks coming from Republican candidates, a new study has found. The findings show the extent of anti-Muslim messaging two weeks out from polling day as Republicans aim to weaponize the issue of immigration. “We’ve seen anti-Muslim candidates running in every region,” said Scott Simpson, from Muslim Advocates, which commissioned the report. “It has really taken root and become very widespread.” The report examined over 80 campaigns across the U.S. run by candidates who have engaged in anti-Muslim campaign attacks over the last two years. Just under a third of the candidates were found to have called for Muslims to be denied basic rights or have declared that Islam is not a religion. The sharp rise in Islamophobic campaigns comes as a record number of Muslim Americans seek elected office.