Islamophobia is a lay ideology that disavows events’ political meanings rooted in empire, racism, and resistance, displacing political antagonisms onto the plane of culture.

Evidence

Draft paper on Islamophobia as lay ideology of US-led empire (Arun Kundnani)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: American Orientalism is the living root system that drives Islamophobia. — Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Understanding…, 168; Orientalist narratives depicting Islam as alien, violent, and inferior have deep historical roots and directly fuel the irrational fear, stereotypes, and dehumanization driving Islamophobia. — How Orientalism Fuels Islamophobia?; Islamophobia is an ideology tied to practices sustaining and reproducing the American empire, which was established through the demonization of Arabs and later Muslims. — An Overview of Orientalism of Muslims for American Empire (+12 more)

Broader Connections

• Islamophobia has material and political causes beyond ignorance or xenophobia #corroborates (0.82) — Carl W. Ernst, Islamophobia in America_ The Anatomy of…, 706
• Islamophobia functions as a screen hiding Western geopolitical responsibility #corroborates (0.82) — Peter Morey, Islamophobia and the Novel, 513
• Islamophobia is political rather than religious and must be fought politically #expands (0.80) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 576
• Liberal Islamophobia is racist and imperialist despite its gentler rhetoric #corroborates (0.80) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 430
• Islamophobia operates as cultural racism rooted in religion, culture, and ethnicity rather than biology. #complicates (0.78) — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 92
• Islamophobia functions as scapegoating that diverts attention from capitalism’s failures. #expands (0.78) — Peter Morey, Islamophobia and the Novel, 40
• Islamophobia is driven by state violence rather than mere ignorance #corroborates (0.78)
• Islamophobia is produced by state action, not only cultural bias #corroborates (0.76)
• Islamophobia undermines democracy by manufacturing fear and manufactured consent. #expands (0.75) — Arsalan Iftikhar, Fear of a Muslim Planet_ Global…, 635
• Islamophobia stems from nationalism’s ambiguities rather than fear of Islam #complicates (0.72)