Between Islam and Islamophobia

Abstract

We use data from qualitative interviews with forty atheist activists in two Canadian cities to analyze the politics of critiquing Islam in the contemporary political environment. We show that atheist activists struggle to navigate between their criticisms of Islam, their fears of being labeled “Islamophobic” (taken as a synonym for “racist” or “xenophobic”), and their concerns about contributing to anti-Muslim rhetoric. To manage this struggle, atheists rely on stigma management tactics that allow them to hold or express criticisms of Islam without earning racially charged stigmatizing labels. Using these stigma management techniques speaks to the precarious positions of many atheists today as they try to critique Islam without expressing or contributing to prejudicial views against Muslims. This article will interest scholars of religion and nonreligion, especially those interested in the perceived stigmas associated with atheism and stigma management among members of secular movement organizations.

Exploring the Challenges and Implications of Atheism for Religious Society in Malaysia

“…Atheism in Malaysia as well for most religious country is frequently deemed a deviation from societal norms and is subject to social and cultural stigma (Duile 2020;Simmons and Sandhu 2020). The factors that contribute to the development of atheistic perspectives in a predominantly religious society and how they interact with the broader Malaysian religious environment should be understood.…”

The many facets of negative public opinion towards Muslims

“…For others still, negative public opinion towards Muslims is part of a wider dislike of all forms of organized religion inherited from the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s in the province (Clarke and Macdonald, 2017: 154;Meunier, 2007: 302;Meunier et al, 2010: 114). Other observers also point to the unique nature of Islamophobia in the province and the targeting of Muslims specifically (Allen, 2010;Amiraux, 2014;Amiraux and Garcia, 2020;Kalin, 2011;Simmons and Sandhu, 2020;Zine, 2022). The relationship between Muslim communities and the province of Quebec has also been analysed in light of earlier failed attempts to legislate on religious symbols.…”