This study examines the relationship between Islamophobia and the representation of Muslim identity in the context of Radical Salafism. Islamophobia is not merely a form of prejudice arising from religious or cultural differences; it is also shaped by perceptions of Muslim identity through actors, discourses, and representations. The study analyzes the impact of Radical Salafism’s ideological discourse and the violent practices of organizations such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Boko Haram on perceptions of Muslim identity. It argues that the radical reinterpretation of concepts such as jihad, caliphate, and takfir, and their generalization through media and political discourses as representative of Islam and Muslims, strengthen Islamophobic perceptions. Although Radical Salafism does not represent the pluralistic nature of Islamic thought, it has become a visible representation of Muslim identity. The portrayal of radical groups as representative of all Muslims in Western media and political discourse facilitates the association of Muslim identity with security-centered stereotypes. The underrepresentation of Muslims in media, politics, and the public sphere, together with the limited visibility of counter-narratives, deepens this crisis of representation. The study demonstrates that Radical Salafism significantly influences perceptions of Muslim identity and contributes to the spread of Islamophobic discourse despite not representing Islamic thought.
This study examines the relationship between Islamophobia and the representation of Muslim identity in the context of Radical Salafism. Islamophobia is not merely a form of prejudice arising from religious or cultural differences; it is also shaped by perceptions of Muslim identity through actors, discourses, and representations. The study analyzes the impact of Radical Salafism’s ideological discourse and the violent practices of organizations such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Boko Haram on perceptions of Muslim identity. It argues that the radical reinterpretation of concepts such as jihad, caliphate, and takfir, and their generalization through media and political discourses as representative of Islam and Muslims, strengthen Islamophobic perceptions. Although Radical Salafism does not represent the pluralistic nature of Islamic thought, it has become a visible representation of Muslim identity. The portrayal of radical groups as representative of all Muslims in Western media and political discourse facilitates the association of Muslim identity with security-centered stereotypes. The underrepresentation of Muslims in media, politics, and the public sphere, together with the limited visibility of counter-narratives, deepens this crisis of representation. The study demonstrates that Radical Salafism significantly influences perceptions of Muslim identity and contributes to the spread of Islamophobic discourse despite not representing Islamic thought.
