What is Islamophobia?

Racism, Social Movements and the State

David Miller editor Narzanin Massoumi editor Tom Mills editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Pluto Press

Published:20th Jun '17

Should be back in stock very soon

What is Islamophobia? cover

As racist undercurrents in many western societies become manifestly entrenched, the prevalence of Islamophobia - and the need to understand what perpetuates it - has never been greater.

Critiquing the arguments found in notionally left accounts and addressing the limitations of existing responses, What is Islamophobia? demonstrates that Islamophobia is not simply a product of abstract, or discursive, ideological processes, but of concrete social, political and cultural actions undertaken in the pursuit of certain interests.

The book centres on what the editors refer to as the 'five pillars of Islamophobia': the institutions and machinery of the state; the far right, incorporating the counterjihad movement; the neoconservative movement; the transnational Zionist movement; and assorted liberal groupings including the pro-war left, and the new atheist movement. The book concludes with reflections on existing strategies for tackling Islamophobia, considering what their distinctive approaches mean for fighting back.

'A masterful volume, intellectually provocative ... it challenges the basic assumptions of the Islamophobia scholarship field ... A must read for any person concerned with the current period and the rising tide of bigotry and racism' -- Hatem Bazian, founder of the Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project, University of California at Berkeley
'A remarkably courageous and painstakingly evidence-based book… This unique and much needed framework for understanding Islamophobia is a must read for social scientists, policy makers and human rights activists alike!' -- Salma Yaqoob, Political Activist and Head of the Birmingham Stop the War Coalition
'The best study I have ever seen of this scourge that now plagues the world' -- Joel Kovel, author of Overcoming Zionism (2007) and The Lost Traveller's Dream (2017)
'This important, thoughtful and disturbing book could not be more timely. The authors compel us to examine our institutions, face unwelcome facts, and revise some of our culturally entrenched positions and assumptions' -- Karen Armstrong, author of A History of God

ISBN: 9780745399577

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 386g

304 pages