What should I do if I'm bullied at school for being Muslim?

Safety first

• In danger right now: walk away, go to a teacher or the office, and stay near other people. If someone is threatening or hurting you, call emergency services (911 in the US, 999 in the UK, 112 in most of Europe).
• Don't fight back if you can avoid it: Islam allows you to defend yourself, but getting away is usually safer, and retaliation can get you punished instead of the bully. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6114).
• Hijab pulled, things damaged, physical contact: this is serious and should always be reported the same day.

Tell a trusted adult

Pick someone you trust: a parent, a teacher, a school counselor, a head of year or a coach. If you're a new Muslim and your family isn't supportive, a counselor or a trusted adult at your mosque can help too. You don't need to have a perfect explanation. "Some students are making fun of me for being Muslim and I don't feel safe" is enough.

Use the school's procedures

• Keep a record: dates, times, what was said or done, names of witnesses, and screenshots of any messages or posts.
• Report in writing: an email to your teacher or head of year creates a record. Ask what the school's anti-bullying policy says and what will happen next.
• Follow up: if it continues, ask for a meeting with a parent or another adult present, and go higher (principal, head teacher) if needed.
• If the school doesn't act: in many countries schools are expected by law to deal with harassment linked to religion or ethnicity. Groups like CAIR (US) or Tell MAMA (UK) can give advice.
• Online bullying: don't reply, screenshot it, then block and report the account.

Looking after yourself

Bullying hurts, and it's normal to feel angry, embarrassed or tempted to hide your faith. Talk about it instead of carrying it alone. Make du'a, lean on friends who are kind to you, and remember that Islam honors you even when some people mock it. Allah says: "let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them" (Quran 49:11). If you ever feel hopeless, reach out to a helpline such as Childline (UK) or 988 (US). If you wear hijab and feel anxious about it, see What if I'm scared to wear hijab in public?

If you see another student being bullied, speak up or tell an adult. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to help the oppressed and to stop the oppressor "by preventing him from oppressing others" (Sahih al-Bukhari 2444).