Liberal Islamophobia rejects Islam-bashing while enacting policies that target Muslims

Evidence

Adhering to the precepts of liberal Islamophobia, the report goes on to state that “we must counter al-Qa’ida’s propaganda that the United States is somehow at war with Islam” and instead affirm that “Islam is part of America, a country that cherishes the active participation of all its citizens, regardless of background and belief. We live what al-Qa’ida violently rejects—religious freedom and pluralism.” Obama added that “our rich diversity of backgrounds and faiths makes us stronger.” This is the modus operandi of liberal Islamophobia: to roundly reject Islam-bashing—and then proceed to institute proposals that target Muslims. When representative Peter King held his McCarthy-style hearings in March 2011 to determine the extent of Muslim radicalization in the United States, he was rightly criticized by liberals. However, that August, when Obama institutionalized this process through his “counter-radicalization” strategy, there was nary a peep of protest. — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 583

Categorization

• DEFINE: Provides the sharpest definition of ‘liberal Islamophobia’ in the chapter: the rhetorical rejection of anti-Muslim bigotry combined with material targeting of Muslims.
• XREF: This definition is the analytic tool the reader needs to connect Kumar to the liberal-multiculturalism critiques in Iftikhar and Rana. — connects to: The Rushdie-Hirsi Ali manifesto rejects Islamophobia as a confound of criticism and stigmatization — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 73; Islamophobia includes polite liberal variants, not only conservative conspiracy theories — Carl W. Ernst, Islamophobia in America_ The Anatomy of…, 48; Refusing to name white nationalists while condemning Muslims weaponizes Islamophobia — Arsalan Iftikhar, Fear of a Muslim Planet_ Global…, 229 (+13 more)

Broader Connections

• Liberal Islamophobia is racist and imperialist despite its gentler rhetoric #expands (0.80) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 430
• Liberal Islamophobia under Obama worsened conditions for Muslims at home and abroad #exemplifies (0.75) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 436
• Islamophobic power can deploy oppositional tactics to advance Muslim marginalization #exemplifies (0.70)