Religious Citizenships and Islamophobia

The attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris in January 2015 once again brought to the fore the place of Islam in Western secular democracies, and the questioning of Muslim citizenship. The hyper-mediatisation of jihadist terrorism and its subsequent conflation with Muslim communities in general, has led to both an increase in widespread popular fear of Islam and its followers, and the further marginalization and stigmatization of Muslim communities living in Western societies.

This book brings together a range of studies and reflections pertinent to the contemporary issues surrounding religious citizenship and Islamophobia. Sentiments of insecurity and uncertainty, which far-right populist movements focus on, are increasingly finding resonance among ordinary citizens. Some traditional political parties are now flirting with demagogic discourse with respect to matters Islamic to the point where there is a hardening within Western democracies, manifested in the adoption of illiberal policies, the narrowing of the conception of secularity, and the alienation of a younger generation of Muslims. Yet there can still be found both glimmers of hope and slivers of sanity. This book was originally published as a special issue of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations.

Introduction: Religious Citizenship and Islamophobia1. Fight Islamophobia in Europe? Less Islam and Muslims and More Citizenship!2. Swedish Muslims and Secular Society: Faith-Based Engagement and Place3. Islam Returns to Spain: Religious Diversity, Political Discourse and Women’s Rights4. Merah and Breivik: A Reflection of the European Identity Crisis5. Islamophobia as Reactive Co-Radicalization6. The New Anti-Semitism in Europe: The Islamic Dimension of, and Jewish Belonging in, the EU7. Demonizing ISIL and Defending Muslims: Australian Muslim Citizenship and Tony Abbott’s "Death Cult" Rhetoric

Virginie Andre is a Research Fellow at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University, Burwood, Australia. Her expertise lies in the field of religious and political globalisation, specifically in relation to Muslim political resistance and neo-jihadism. She also has an expertise in countering violent extremism, ethno-nationalism and conflict transformation, social media and youth radicalization, and diasporic cultures in transition.

Douglas Pratt is Professor in the Studies in Religion Programme of the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, an Adjunct Research Professor at the University of Bern, Switzerland, and an Adjunct Associate Professor (Research) at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. A Research Team Leader of the University of Birmingham, UK, based project Christian-Muslim Relations: A Bibliographical History 1500-1900 (CMR1900), he is widely published in the field of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations along with religious extremism and related issues.