Islamophobia Pre– and Post–September 11th, 2001

Abstract

Although much academic research has addressed racism, religious discrimination has been largely ignored. The current study investigates levels of self-reported racial and religious discrimination in a sample of 222 British Muslims. Respondents indicate that following September 11th, 2001, levels of implicit or indirect discrimination rose by 82.6% and experiences of overt discrimination by 76.3%. Thus, the current work demonstrates that major world events may affect not only stereotypes of minority groups but also prejudice toward minorities. Results suggest that religious affiliation may be a more meaningful predictor of prejudice than race or ethnicity. General Health Questionnaire scores indicate that 35.6% of participants likely suffered mental health problems, with significant associations between problem-indicative scores and reports of experiencing a specific abusive incident of September 11th-related abuse by respondents. The dearth of empirical work pertaining to religious discrimination and its effects is a cause for concern.

A Day in the “Swamp”: Understanding Discourse in the Online Counter-Jihad Nebula

“…41 Exacerbated by the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks, and incidents such as the murder of Lee Rigby, the position of the Muslim community in Britain and elsewhere has come under intense public scrutiny which has been accompanied by increased reporting of discrimination experiences. 42 For both Fekete and Kundnani, the governmental security response to these issues has also been a driving factor in both legitimising the views held by counter jihad scene and in overlooking the threat presented by them. 43 The popular press has also been seen as further legitimising anti-Muslim views.…”

Identification, screening and stereotyping in labour market discrimination

“…A striking development in the Western world in which this psychological mechanism may have played an important role is that the upsurge of fear of terrorism after 11 September 2001, seems to have led to more stereotyping and discrimination against Muslims in the labour market ("we against them" ;Sheridan and Gillett 2005;Sheridan 2006; see also Bar-Tal and Labin 2001). As quite a different example, agents may feel uncertain when they have to survive in an environment of fierce market competition.…”

20201218

“…A growing body of research has documented the increase in Islamophobic attitudes in many Western countries along with their negative consequences for Muslim immigrants and their descendants (Abu-Raiya, Pargament, & Mahoney, 2011;Pedersen, Dunn, Forrest, & McGarty, 2012;Sheridan, 2006). These include difficulties in obtaining employment, social exclusion, harassment and suspicion.…”

“…Despite evidence that religiosity and spirituality are associated with positive outcomes for health and quality of life (Hackney & Sanders, 2003;Sawatzky, Ratner, & Chiu, 2005), widespread and increasing Islamophobia (Sheridan, 2006) may diminish the positive contribution that religion can make to coping with acculturative stress and enhancing wellbeing for Muslims. This research combines theory and research on acculturation (Berry, 1997;Berry, & Sam, 2016) and religion (Pargament, 1997(Pargament, , 2011 to explore the role of religious coping in buffering stress and enhancing subjective wellbeing in New Zealand Muslims.…”