Islamophobia and Its Impact on Muslims: A Study

Running head: THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
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THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Introduction
Islamophobic sentiments in various parts of the Western world have attained
substantial attention, specifically after the terrorist attacks took place on 11th September,
2001. The effects and experiences faced by Muslims in comparison to non-Muslims have
been rarely been observed. Islamophobia is considered as the fear, prejudice and
discrimination against Muslims specifically when perceived as a geopolitical force or the
source of terrorism. Muslims across the world represent around one-quarter of the global
populace1. One-fifth of the world’s Muslim population mainly inhabit nations where Islam is
not the majority religion, which includes Western societies in which Islam is the principal
minority faith and Muslims are the rapidly increasing religious groups. Although, this belief
system engages myriad of practices within the general arena of its tradition, Muslims are
highly misunderstood as well as misrepresented in number of contexts. The following paper
aims to shed light on the views and experiences experienced by Muslims and the impact of
Islamophobia on Muslims. In addition to this, it will analyse factors whether Islamic veils
will be seen as a symbol of female obedience.
Discussion
Muslims Imagined as the ‘other’ in Western Societies
Muslims are typically represented as outsiders in Western societies. Although
unbiased and informed discussions have its significance, stereotypical discourses and media
representations regarding followers of Islam are extensive, exemplifying the existence and
value of Muslims in Western societies as outward to the dominant group2. As a consequence,
Muslims are often seen as lacking the competence of participating as equal citizens. It has
1 Wallace, Michael, Bradley RE Wright, and Allen Hyde. "Religious affiliation and hiring discrimination in the
American South: A field experiment." Social Currents 1, no. 2 (2014): 189-207.
2 Sayyid, Salman. "A measure of Islamophobia." Islamophobia Studies Journal 2, no. 1 (2014): 10-25.