Islam is not a race.

Muslims are not a race.

And yet, over time and in many and various ways, religious traditions and religious people have been racialized.

That is to say, certain religions have been made into racial categories.

Although there are many different people groups that can and do practice Islam is one of those religions that has been racialized.

As a result, Muslims and others (like Sikhs) have been racially abused because of that fact.

That’s why I think this conversation with Jordan Denari Duffner and her new book — about Islamophobia, what it is, and what Christians should do about it — is an important consideration for Lutherans in pursuit of racial justice.

For Christians, learning more from Muslims, and how they suffer from racialized prejudice, injustice, and abuse — often because of our thoughts, words, and deeds — can help us better fulfill our call to love our neighbor.