Bilal's Muslim name triggers suspicion even though he no longer identifies as a Muslim, revealing how this interaction is best described as racial as opposed to religious discrimination. Bilal is not discriminated against because of his beliefs, but rather his body is essentialized as a threat because his Muslim name categorizes him as a potential terrorist.

DEFINE: Distinguishes racial discrimination from religious discrimination via essentialization of the body versus actual beliefs. XREF: Connects to critical race theory concepts about racialization and how markers (like names) trigger suspicion independent of actual identity.

Saher Selod, Forever Suspect_ Racialized…, loc. 151