Islam and the Politics of Terrorism: Aspects of the British Experience

Australians’ divergent opinions about Islam and Muslims

“…Its manifestations include the fuelling of incivilities and conflict, vitriol and violence directed at Muslims and linking a stereotypical concept of Islam with terrorism (Dunn et al, 2007;Iner et al, 2017;Saeed, 2003;Strawson, 2008). As Strawson (2008) so persuasively sets out, in the contemporary national security context distinguishing Islam from terrorism requires a deep understanding of Islam, its history and its complexities. Yet studies have shown that Australians are largely ignorant about Islam, its adherents and their significant historical and contemporary contributions to Australian society (Dunn, 2004(Dunn, , 2005O'Donnell et al, 2017;Saeed, 2003).…”

“…In post-9/11 Australia, driven by domestic and international events and ignited by sections of both the political elite and the news media, Islamophobia has burgeoned (Dunn et al, 2007; Dunn and Kamp, 2016; Iner et al, 2017; Kabir, 2007; Manne, 2006; Poynting and Mason, 2007; Saeed, 2003). Its manifestations include the fuelling of incivilities and conflict, vitriol and violence directed at Muslims and linking a stereotypical concept of Islam with terrorism (Dunn et al, 2007; Iner et al, 2017; Saeed, 2003; Strawson, 2008). As Strawson (2008) so persuasively sets out, in the contemporary national security context distinguishing Islam from terrorism requires a deep understanding of Islam, its history and its complexities.…”