‘It definitely trickles down’: Muslims in Texas suffer effects of Republicans’ hate speech

Muslims say anti-Islamic rhetoric making everyday life difficult - and threats and harassment not uncommon

Following a brutal Republican primary runoff in which Islamophobia took center stage, anti-Muslim hatred continues spilling into public life in Texas.

Texans say that the hate speech shared by elected officials is increasingly echoed by people in their everyday interactions, including discussions about education or interactions at a store, in a park, at university and at elementary school. In one case, students at the University of Houston were praying when a man approached them and burned a Qur'an. In other cases, people have been verbally attacked for wearing traditional garments.