The need for Anti-Bias Education Resources to Combat Islamophia is timely and urgent. We recommend the following films and teaching guides to support you in countering Islamophobia in your learning environments. These materials are appropriate for elementary school, middle school and high school; they can also work well for higher education, adult education, HR trainings and professional development, public screenings and community group settings.
Anti-Bias Education Resources to Combat Islamophobia: Instructional Foundations
Anti-Bias Education Webinar
Our teacher training webinar about Anti-Bias Education: Using Media to Foster Critical Thinking and Combat Antisemitism and Islamophobia provides an overview of anti-bias teaching tools and strategies for dealing with difficult classroom situations around these topics. This webinar is available free and on-demand through Share My Lesson. Participants can quality for one hour of PD credit.
▶ Learn more about our Anti-Bias Education Webinar.
Facilitation Guidelines for Group Discussions
We also offer Facilitation Guidelines to create safe discussion spaces and lead productive explorations of difficult topics. The guidelines apply to a wide range of settings beyond the classroom and are useful for teaching Anti-Bias Education.
▶ Learn more about teaching with the Group Discussion Facilitation Guidelines.
Download Facilitation Guidelines
Preview Facilitation Guidelines
Anti-Bias Education Resources to Combat Islamophobia: Introducing Islam
Equip your students with religious literacy and cultural competence skills by introducing them to Islam with film.
Introduce Islam with Film: The Story of God
National Geographic’s docuseries The Story of God with Morgan Freeman sheds a brilliant light on the remarkable and unmistakable similarities among different faiths.
The section on Islam in our free The Story of God Curriculum Guide includes an introduction to Muslim beliefs and practices, highlights arts of the Islamic world, explores Islamic empires, and examines Islam’s rich contributions to science.
Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Language Arts, Religious Literacy, Religious Studies, Social Studies, World History, World Religions
▶ Learn more about teaching with The Story of God.
Download The Story of God Discussion Guide
Preview The Story of God Discussion Guide
Introduce Islam with Film: Wadjda
In Wadjda, a young Saudi girl signs up for her school’s Quran recitation competition as a way to raise the funds she needs in order to buy the bicycle of her dreams. This delightful film from Saudi Arabia’s first woman film director Haifaa Al-Mansour is relatable for students and teachers alike.
Our free Wadjda Curriculum Guide features a lesson with an introduction to the Quran.
Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Language Arts, Religious Literacy, Religious Studies, Social Studies, World History, World Religions
▶ Learn more about teaching with Wadjda.
Download Wadjda Curriculum Guide
Preview TWadjda Curriculum Guide
Anti-Bias Education Resources to Combat Islamophobia: Engaging Muslim Stories
To help your students break down implicit and explicit biases, consider teaching with films that present compelling Muslim characters.
Combatting Islamophobia with Film: Children of Heaven
Children of Heaven follows an Iranian brother and sister and their adventures over a lost pair of shoes. The film showcases both modern and tradition Tehran and portrays a loving family trying to do their best.
Our free Children of Heaven Curriculum Guide includes an introduction to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9
Subjects: Geography, Social Studies, World History
▶ Learn more about teaching with Children of Heaven .
Download Children of Heaven Curriculum Guide
Children of Heaven Curriculum Guides
Related Resource: If you are teaching about Iran, we also recommend The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble.
Combatting Islamophobia with Film: He Named Me Malala
He Named Me Malala follows events leading up to the Taliban attack on Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai for speaking out on girls’ education, followed by the aftermath, including her speech to the United Nations. It tells the story of an inspiring young Muslim woman who becomes a public figure and role model.
Lesson Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: English Language Arts, Language Arts, Speech, Women’s Studies
▶ Learn more about teaching with He Named Me Malala.
Download Malala Curriculum Guide Download Malala Discussion Guide
Preview Malala Curriculum Guide Preview Malala Discussion Guide
Combatting Islamophobia with Film: Resisterhood
Resisterhood profiles six diverse Americans who are all civically engaged in different, inspiring ways. One of the subjects is a first-time political candidates: Muslim-American Mimi Hassanein, a first-generation immigrant from Egypt. Her story speaks broadly to the immigrant experience in the USA and also what it’s like to be Muslim in contemporary America.
Lesson Grades: 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Current Events, Civics, Government, Political Science, Social Studies, Women’s Studies
▶ Learn more about teaching with Resisterhood.
Download Resisterhood Learning Guide
Preview Resisterhood Learning Guide
Combatting Islamophobia with Film: The Neighborhood Storyteller
In The Neigbhorhood Storyteller, a young Syrian mother in a refugee camp in Jordan embarks on a read-aloud project to raise a new generation of successful young women.
Our The Neighborhood Storyteller Discussion Guide features connections to Muzoon: A Syrian Refugee Speaks Out by Muzoon Almellehan with Wendy Pearlman, for educators interested in doing a film-book pairing for grades 5-12.
Lesson Grades: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College
Subjects: Current Events, English Language Arts, Geography, History, Social Studies, Women’s Studies, World History
▶ Learn more about teaching with The Neighborhood Storyteller.
Download TNS Learning Guide
Preview TNS Learning Guide
Anti-Bias Education Resources to Combat Islamophobia: Expand the Scope
Navigating Online Hate Speech
Our resources for teaching about Disinformation, Propaganda and Social Media pair well with Anti-Bias Education lesson for bringing discussions on the spread of Islamophbia into the present. For grades 9 and up.
▶ Learn more about teaching with our Disinformation, Propaganda and Social Media resources.
Broadening Perspectives
Our Windows and Mirrors media literacy activity encourages learners to engage with a balanced variety of text and media perspectives. The activity also builds belonging and class community by expanding students’ understanding of people in their classroom and the broader world. For all ages.
▶ Learn more about teaching with Windows and Mirrors.
Download Windows and Mirrors Handout Download Media Audit Log
Preview Windows and Mirrors Handout Preview Media Audit Log
Anti-Bias Education Resources to Combat Islamophobia: Related Resources
Teach about World Religions with Film
Teach Anti-Bias Education with Film
Ten Documentary Films That Celebrate Women of Faith (including multiple films about Muslim women)
Anti-Bias Education Resources to Combat Islamophobia: Important Dates
Teachers may want to teach with Anti-Bias Education lessons about combatting Islamophobia on these important dates:
- January 29 – National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia (Canada)
- Feb. 1-7 – World Interfaith Harmony Week
- March 1- Zero Discrimination Day
- March 15 International Day to Combat Islamophobia
- April – Genocide Awareness Month (U.S.) and Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month (Canada)
- June 18 – International Day for Countering Hate Speech
- Aug. 22- The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
- Nov. 14 – International Day for Tolerance
- Dec. 9 – International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
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