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What is Islamophobia?
Every Muslim nowadays is aware of this term but how many of us really know about this? Let’s get educated with a concise research.
Let’s start- Bismillah(In the name of Allah)
What is Islamophobia?
Every Muslim nowadays is aware of this term but how many of us really know about this? Let’s get educated with a concise research.
Let’s start- Bismillah(In the name of Allah)
Islamophobia is defined by oxford dictionary as ‘Dislike of or prejudice against Islam or muslims, especially as a political force’.
In 1997, the Runnymede commission defined Islamophobia as, ‘An outlook or world-view involving on unfounded dread and dislike of muslims,
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In 1997, the Runnymede commission defined Islamophobia as, ‘An outlook or world-view involving on unfounded dread and dislike of muslims,
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which resulted in practises of exclusion and discrimination. The report argued that Islamophobia produced ‘closed views’ of Islam, which could be understood as viewing Islam monolithically, and as an ideological adversary which needed combating and
disciplining.
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disciplining.
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In 2017, Runnymede reissued a short definition, ‘Islamophobia is anti muslim racism’.
Islamophobia became a breeding ground for stereotypes which are against the dignity of Islam and Muslims.
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Islamophobia became a breeding ground for stereotypes which are against the dignity of Islam and Muslims.
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What are Islamophobic stereotypes?
-Monolithic and static
-Separate and ‘other’
-Inferior to the west
-Barbaric, irrational, primitive and sexist
-Violent, aggressive, supportive of terrorism
-Engaged in a clash of civilisations
- A political ideology.
-Monolithic and static
-Separate and ‘other’
-Inferior to the west
-Barbaric, irrational, primitive and sexist
-Violent, aggressive, supportive of terrorism
-Engaged in a clash of civilisations
- A political ideology.
What are the reasons that enabled Islamophobia?
1. Orientalism- Orientalism refers to study done by western scholars of the Middle east, North Africa and Asia in 18th and 19th centuries.
It developed in the context of, and served to justify European colonialism in those regions.
1. Orientalism- Orientalism refers to study done by western scholars of the Middle east, North Africa and Asia in 18th and 19th centuries.
It developed in the context of, and served to justify European colonialism in those regions.
Orientalism portrayed ‘Eastern’ peoples and their civilisations as exotic ‘others’.
Radically different from and inferior to western civilisations.
Essentially primitive, irrational, violent, despotic and fanatic.
This became a base for Islamophobia that we see today.
Radically different from and inferior to western civilisations.
Essentially primitive, irrational, violent, despotic and fanatic.
This became a base for Islamophobia that we see today.
2. Racialism-Racialization is a process by which people with similar physical characteristics are assigned to racialized groups.
These racial groups assigned certain attributes.
They are then placed on hierarchy that privileges ‘whiteness’ and Christianity.
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These racial groups assigned certain attributes.
They are then placed on hierarchy that privileges ‘whiteness’ and Christianity.
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2.1-African and native Americans-Distinct tribes and diverse languages and customs categorised by Europeans as one group.
2.2- Hindus-Diverse religious traditions categorised into a single group called ‘Hindus’.
2.3-Muslims- Despite origins in over 50 majority-muslim countries,
2.2- Hindus-Diverse religious traditions categorised into a single group called ‘Hindus’.
2.3-Muslims- Despite origins in over 50 majority-muslim countries,
Despite origins in over 50 majority-muslim countries, with diverse culture and languages categorised as one group.
3. Xenophobia and Ignorance- Xenophobia is a fear of foreigners or ‘others’.
Often faced by new immigrants.
Manifestation for racialization.
Concept of ‘dominant culture’.
Often faced by new immigrants.
Manifestation for racialization.
Concept of ‘dominant culture’.
Most Americans and Europeans don’t personally know a muslim and know little about Islam.
Only 38% of Americans say that they know a muslim.
62% have never conversed with a muslim.
In 2011 Belgium banned face veils.
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Only 38% of Americans say that they know a muslim.
62% have never conversed with a muslim.
In 2011 Belgium banned face veils.
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Islamophobic Industry- Promotes fear and hatred.
Funded with hundreds of millions of dollars by anti muslim organisations.
Reports cite that cumulative total revenue as of 2013 was over $200 million in U.S.
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Funded with hundreds of millions of dollars by anti muslim organisations.
Reports cite that cumulative total revenue as of 2013 was over $200 million in U.S.
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Often led by former academics or people with academic credentials to enhance credibility.
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Bigoted media- -Coverage of muslims and Islam has generally been negative even before 9/11.
-82% CBS and ABC and 60% of FOX coverage of muslims is negative.
-92% of muslim articles in 2018 referenced a foreign location.
-82% CBS and ABC and 60% of FOX coverage of muslims is negative.
-92% of muslim articles in 2018 referenced a foreign location.
Most stories about muslims involve violence and terrorism.
-Discrepancy in Media coverage of violence committed by muslims vs non muslims.
Another study from 2015 revealed that the New York Times depicts Islam more negatively than alcohol, cancer, and cocaine, with many
-Discrepancy in Media coverage of violence committed by muslims vs non muslims.
Another study from 2015 revealed that the New York Times depicts Islam more negatively than alcohol, cancer, and cocaine, with many
stories about Islam focusing on terrorism or extremism.
Common media bigotry can be explained as “Act done by a Muslim is called terrorism and act done by non Muslim is termed as a mentally unstable person.”
Common media bigotry can be explained as “Act done by a Muslim is called terrorism and act done by non Muslim is termed as a mentally unstable person.”
Entertainment industry- Representation of muslims and Arabs in Hollywood have constantly been stereotypical- villains, terrorists, sexist, stupid, oppressed women etc.
‘An ideal terrorist in movies is someone who wears a skullcap, has
a misbaha in his hands, with surma in his eyes and a tawiz around his neck.’
a misbaha in his hands, with surma in his eyes and a tawiz around his neck.’
Islamophobia in Indian Context-
With the history of around 1000 years, Muslims are still supposed to prove that are patriotic.
Created by the politicians in power for power.
Mob lynchings, burning of mosques, Murder in the name of Love Jihad.
With the history of around 1000 years, Muslims are still supposed to prove that are patriotic.
Created by the politicians in power for power.
Mob lynchings, burning of mosques, Murder in the name of Love Jihad.
Scrapping of article 370 in the only Muslim majority state.
Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA),
NRC- 4 lakh Muslims turned stateless.
Calling “Anti National and Go to Pakistan” to a Muslim who generally calls out to Anti-Muslim govt.
Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA),
NRC- 4 lakh Muslims turned stateless.
Calling “Anti National and Go to Pakistan” to a Muslim who generally calls out to Anti-Muslim govt.
What is the Impact of Islamophobia?- growing anti Muslim sentiments around the world.
1. China's systematic brainwashing of hundreds of thousands of Muslims in a network of high-security prison camps.
2. Daily attacks on civilians of Syria.
1. China's systematic brainwashing of hundreds of thousands of Muslims in a network of high-security prison camps.
2. Daily attacks on civilians of Syria.
3. Christchurch mosque shootings which left 51 muslims dead.
4. Ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims.
5. Lockdown in Kashmir.
Rise in hate crimes and media doesn’t care to report in mainstream news.
“Muslim life is the most fragile life now, no one really cares now”
4. Ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims.
5. Lockdown in Kashmir.
Rise in hate crimes and media doesn’t care to report in mainstream news.
“Muslim life is the most fragile life now, no one really cares now”
Impact on quality of Muslim life-According to Pew survey of Muslim Americans:
-50% believe that being Muslim in the U.S. has become more difficult in recent years.
-75% believe that there is discrimination against Muslims in the U.S.
-50% believe that being Muslim in the U.S. has become more difficult in recent years.
-75% believe that there is discrimination against Muslims in the U.S.
-32% were treated with suspicion
-40% of Muslim students were bullied because they belong to certain religion.
-common insults were “Taliban”, “Bomber”, “Killer”, and comments such as ‘Hey, gonna bomb the school now’.
-14% students felt unwelcome, unsafe at their school.
-40% of Muslim students were bullied because they belong to certain religion.
-common insults were “Taliban”, “Bomber”, “Killer”, and comments such as ‘Hey, gonna bomb the school now’.
-14% students felt unwelcome, unsafe at their school.
What should be done now to counter Islamophobia?
Call out whenever you deal with, build unapologetic faith and have patience for ‘They plan and Allah plans. Verily, Allah is the best of planners’
Call out whenever you deal with, build unapologetic faith and have patience for ‘They plan and Allah plans. Verily, Allah is the best of planners’
