Chris Allen – 2010

219 Pages·2011·2.95 MB·English

Islamophobia

Chris Allen
ISLAMOPHOBIA
Despite numerous sources suggesting that Islamophobia is becoming both
increasingly prevalent and societally acceptable in the contemporary world, there
remains a lack of textual sources that consider either the phenomenon itself, or its
manifestations and consequences. There is no authoritative text that attempts to
understand or contextualise what might be seen to be one of the most dangerous
prejudices in the contemporary climate.
Chris Allen begins by looking at ways of defining and understanding
Islamophobia. He traces its historical evolution to the present day, considering the
impact of recent events and their aftermath especially in the wake of the events
of September 11, before trying to understand and comprehend a wider conception
of the phenomenon. A series of investigations thematically consider the role of
the media, the contemporary positioning of Muslims throughout the world, and
whether Islamophobia can be seen to be a continuum of historical anti-Muslimism
or anti-Islamism, or whether Islamophobia is an entirely modern concept. The
issue of Islamophobia is considered from the perspective of the local, regional,
and global.
The incidence of Islamophobia, and the magnitude of the phenomenon and its
consequences, is one that warrants a greater investigation in the world today. This
book is both academically and socially relevant and necessary.
For Ernie and Ivy; Ivy and Ron; Emily, Maisie and Harry; Rachel
Islamophobia
CHrIS ALLen
University of Birmingham, UK
© Chris Allen 2010
All rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher.
Chris Allen has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be
identified as the author of this work.
Published by
Ashgate Publishing Limited Ashgate Publishing Company
Wey Court east Suite 420
Union road 101 Cherry Street
Farnham Burlington
Surrey, GU9 7PT VT 05401-4405
england USA
www.ashgate.com
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Allen, Christopher, Ph. D.
Islamophobia.
1. Islamophobia. 2. Islamophobia – History. 3. Muslims in popular culture.
I. Title
305.6’97–dc22
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Allen, Christopher.
Islamophobia / Chris.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBn 978-0-7546-5139-0 (hardcover : alk. paper) – ISBn 978-1-4094-1757-6 (ebook) –
ISBn 978-0-7546-5140-6 (pb k. : alk. paper) 1. Islam – Public opinion. 2. Muslims –
Public opinion. 3. Islam and politics. 4. Muslims – non-Muslim countries. 5. Islam – 21st
century. I. Title.
BP52.A38 2010
305.6’97–dc22
2010028981
ISBn 9780754651390 (hbk)
ISBn 9780754651406 (pbk)
ISBn 9781409417576 (ebk)
Contents
Acknowledgements vii
PArt 1 IntroDuCtIon
1 The First Decade of Islamophobia 3
PArt 2 HIstory In Context
2 revelation to reformation, Orientalism and Colonialism 25
3 From revolution to revival, rushdie and the Clash of Civilisations 37
PArt 3 A DeCADe of tHe runnymeDe rePort
4 recognition: A new reality that needed naming 51
5 runnymede: An Open and Closed Case 65
PArt 4 IsLAmoPHoBIA In Context
6 ‘They’re All the Same’: Islamophobia in the Context of the UK 83
7 Different Forms of Discourse, Speech and Acts: Islamophobia
in europe 101
PArt 5 towArDs A n ew tHeory AnD DefInItIon of
IsLAmoPHoBIA
8 What is Islamophobia? 123
9 Islamophobia: Comparisons and Correlations 139
10 Islamophobia: A new Ideology for a Media Generation 159
11 Towards a New Definition of Islamophobia 187
PArt 6 ConCLusIon
12 Tentative Steps into the Twenty-First Century 193
Bibliography 197
Index 205
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Acknowledgements
This book is the result of almost a decade’s worth of endeavour. Unsurprisingly, a
good number of people deserve to be recognised for their part in making it happen.
These are listed below in no particular order (and for those who I have forgotten or
overlooked, please accept both my apologies and gratitude in equal measure):
To Jorgen nielsen for his support and guidance as my doctoral supervisor at the
University of Birmingham and for the experience and knowledge gained through
collaborating with him on the eUMC Islamophobia project.
To Dilwar Hussain, Mohammed Siddique Seddon, robin richardson,
Muhammad Abdul Aziz and Anas al Shaikh Ali for their support and encouragement
over many years and in many different ways.
To Musab Bora for far too many conversations and lunches over which this
book, its contents and numerous other issues were discussed at length.
To Deirdre Burke, George Chryssides, ron Geaves and Steve Jacobs who, at
the University of Wolverhampton, were the first people to set me on this book’s
journey.
To the Arts and Humanities Research Council for its recognition and financial
support to undertake research into Islamophobia in the days when it wasn’t
fashionable to do so.
To Joy Warmington and everyone at BrAP (www.brap.org.uk).
To David Stephenson, Karen rowlingson and everyone in the Institute of
Applied Social Studies at the University of Birmingham for their ongoing support
into research in this area.
To Sarah Lloyd and eve ryone at Ashgate for making this book happen.
And finally, to the ones I love:
To my parents Ivy and ron and my grandparents, Ivy and ernie, all of whom I
hope are proud of what I have achieved.
To my children – emily, Maisie and Harry – for always offering hope and for
a long time, being the reason to carry on. Believe in yourselves and you’ll achieve
what you want.
And to Rachel, for restoring my confidence and self-belief.
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PArT 1
Introduction