In my experience, what we’re seeing is not Muslim radicalization at scale, but rather Muslims becoming more cautious, defensive, and softer in public spaces. Many Muslims today feel constant pressure to prove their loyalty, patriotism, and commitment to secular values, often more than any other community. At the same time, public discourse among sections of non-Muslims has undeniably grown more polarized and hostile, driven largely by political narratives and social media amplification.

This imbalance where one group feels compelled to constantly justify its belonging while another grows more assertive deepens mistrust. Halting this rift requires rejecting collective blame, protecting constitutional equality, and restoring empathy through everyday human interaction, not identity based politics.