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The Fear of Islam: An Introduction to Islamophobia in the West
The Fear of Islam investigates the context of Western views of Islam and offers an introduction to the historical roots and contemporary anxiety regarding Islam within the Western world.
Tracing the medieval legacy of religious polemics and violence, Green orients readers to the complex history and issues of Western relations to Islam, from early and late modern colonial enterprises and theories of "Orientalism," to the production of religious discourses of otherness and the clash of civilizations that proliferated in the era of 9/11 and the war on terror.
In this second edition, Green brings the reader up to date, examining the Islamophobic rhetoric of the 2016 US presidential election and the ongoing success of populist and far right parties in Europe. Green provides updated data on the rise of anti-Muslim legislation--for example, the Muslim ban in the United States and a wave of full-face veil bans in Europe--as well as the rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes on both sides of the Atlantic since 2015.
This important book is essential reading for anyone who wants to better understand current views of Islam and to work toward meaningful peace and understanding between religious communities.
Tracing the medieval legacy of religious polemics and violence, Green orients readers to the complex history and issues of Western relations to Islam, from early and late modern colonial enterprises and theories of "Orientalism," to the production of religious discourses of otherness and the clash of civilizations that proliferated in the era of 9/11 and the war on terror.
In this second edition, Green brings the reader up to date, examining the Islamophobic rhetoric of the 2016 US presidential election and the ongoing success of populist and far right parties in Europe. Green provides updated data on the rise of anti-Muslim legislation--for example, the Muslim ban in the United States and a wave of full-face veil bans in Europe--as well as the rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes on both sides of the Atlantic since 2015.
This important book is essential reading for anyone who wants to better understand current views of Islam and to work toward meaningful peace and understanding between religious communities.
363 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 13, 2023
4.5✪:
"The Fear of Islam: An Introduction to Islamophobia in the West" by Todd H. Green was published in 2015 by Fortress Press. Todd Green is an Associate Professor of Religion at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and a former U.S. State Department advisor on Islamophobia in Europe.
This book is an incredibly informative and well-researched introductory book for understanding the construction of Islamophobia in the West and its impacts on Muslims across the globe. With anti-Muslim sentiment apparently on the rise, Green's analysis of the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of Islamophobia was very insightful.
Green's exploration of the link between historical events and contemporary Western attitudes towards the Islamic world was truly fascinating. He highlighted how Colonialism, Orientalism, and the Clash of Civilizations subtly sowed the seeds of Islamophobia's sprawling roots in the West. Additionally, he delved into the CONTROVERSIAL AND QUESTIONABLE ROLE PLAYED BY THE USA in the Middle East during the Cold War, a role that contributed to the emergence of extremism and violence, often labelled as Islamic terrorism, and its eventual connection to the tragic 9/11 events. He also examines how post-9/11 Western politics have been influenced by these Islamophobic ideas. Notably, he highlights how Islamophobia has evolved into a profitable industry, serving to perpetuate USA and Eurocentric global power structures. The book meticulously discusses factors such as stereotyping, lack of intercultural contact, and other elements that allowed anti-Muslim biases to develop and persist.
Because of the reasons mentioned above, covering a wide range of issues, from unjust suspicion of Muslims, profiling, biased legal measures, and skewed media coverage by so-called "professional Islamophobes" and others, discrimination, hate crimes, illegal detentions, human rights violations, various forms of physical, mental, and sexual abuse to war, Green seems to explore Islamophobia’s impact in all its dimensions.
In the concluding chapter, the author offers valuable insights by summarizing interviews with scholars and politicians from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. These discussions shed light on a path forward, emphasizing the importance of fostering greater understanding among faiths and cultures.
Overall, "The Fear of Islam" strikes a fine balance between scholarly depth and easy accessibility, presenting a well-researched and thought-provoking analysis of a topic that couldn't be more relevant in today's world. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all readers, as it equips us with a deeper understanding of a complex issue that affects us all.
"The Fear of Islam: An Introduction to Islamophobia in the West" by Todd H. Green was published in 2015 by Fortress Press. Todd Green is an Associate Professor of Religion at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and a former U.S. State Department advisor on Islamophobia in Europe.
This book is an incredibly informative and well-researched introductory book for understanding the construction of Islamophobia in the West and its impacts on Muslims across the globe. With anti-Muslim sentiment apparently on the rise, Green's analysis of the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of Islamophobia was very insightful.
Green's exploration of the link between historical events and contemporary Western attitudes towards the Islamic world was truly fascinating. He highlighted how Colonialism, Orientalism, and the Clash of Civilizations subtly sowed the seeds of Islamophobia's sprawling roots in the West. Additionally, he delved into the CONTROVERSIAL AND QUESTIONABLE ROLE PLAYED BY THE USA in the Middle East during the Cold War, a role that contributed to the emergence of extremism and violence, often labelled as Islamic terrorism, and its eventual connection to the tragic 9/11 events. He also examines how post-9/11 Western politics have been influenced by these Islamophobic ideas. Notably, he highlights how Islamophobia has evolved into a profitable industry, serving to perpetuate USA and Eurocentric global power structures. The book meticulously discusses factors such as stereotyping, lack of intercultural contact, and other elements that allowed anti-Muslim biases to develop and persist.
Because of the reasons mentioned above, covering a wide range of issues, from unjust suspicion of Muslims, profiling, biased legal measures, and skewed media coverage by so-called "professional Islamophobes" and others, discrimination, hate crimes, illegal detentions, human rights violations, various forms of physical, mental, and sexual abuse to war, Green seems to explore Islamophobia’s impact in all its dimensions.
In the concluding chapter, the author offers valuable insights by summarizing interviews with scholars and politicians from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. These discussions shed light on a path forward, emphasizing the importance of fostering greater understanding among faiths and cultures.
Overall, "The Fear of Islam" strikes a fine balance between scholarly depth and easy accessibility, presenting a well-researched and thought-provoking analysis of a topic that couldn't be more relevant in today's world. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all readers, as it equips us with a deeper understanding of a complex issue that affects us all.
October 22, 2021
Democracy does not come easy, even in the West, and it should come as no surprise that Muslim nations that have not been at this nearly as long should also struggle.
Written by my favorite religion professor at Luther, this book has sat on my bookshelf, unread, for far too long. I'm glad I finally picked it up and was rewarded with a thorough and engaging history of the relationship between the West and Islam. I expected it to be a bit dry at times, but I didn't find that at all and was most certainly absorbed by the history within its pages.
Written by my favorite religion professor at Luther, this book has sat on my bookshelf, unread, for far too long. I'm glad I finally picked it up and was rewarded with a thorough and engaging history of the relationship between the West and Islam. I expected it to be a bit dry at times, but I didn't find that at all and was most certainly absorbed by the history within its pages.
September 22, 2020
I heard about this book on this Ezra Klein Show episode.
It is a very good book and the author presents facts about the disproportionate suspicion / profiling of Muslims and the amount of media coverage that is given to "professional Islamophobes", even as Muslims trying to rectify the public image of their religion are given no air time at all.
Very important book; I recommend it to anyone who has felt within themselves an inexplicable resistance when thinking about Muslims at a societal level.
It is a very good book and the author presents facts about the disproportionate suspicion / profiling of Muslims and the amount of media coverage that is given to "professional Islamophobes", even as Muslims trying to rectify the public image of their religion are given no air time at all.
Very important book; I recommend it to anyone who has felt within themselves an inexplicable resistance when thinking about Muslims at a societal level.
March 16, 2021
I enjoyed this brief yet well-researched introduction to the construction of Islamophobia in the West and its impacts on Muslims across the globe. Prof. Green through his scholarships has shown the historical context, the role of the orientalist-colonial project, the role of the USA in promoting terrorism in the Middle East to curb Soviet forces during the cold war, that later played the role in the 9/11 catastrophe, and how post-9/11 political dispensation in the West and largely throughout the globe was influenced by Islamophobic notions defined in response to these events, to deal with 'Muslim other'. Islamophobia is an industry that is monetized broadly to maintain the eurocentric global power structure to which Muslims and Muslim nations are a threat.
A good introductory book for a review on Islamophobia contextualization!
A good introductory book for a review on Islamophobia contextualization!
March 19, 2023
Well organized. Quality information. Engaging and easy to read. I really enjoyed this book. Green does a great job explaining the history of Islamaphobia and how it differs from legitimate criticism of Islam. I wasn't a big fan of chapter 6 at first, but then at the end of the chapter I thought he rounded it out nicely. Its very thorough in a very understandable way and I really appreciated the depth. The conclusion chapter interviews right people of varying beliefs and that added a nice insight for how to move forward. (And the glossary and further reading in the back are useful!)
September 18, 2020
Incredibly informative book on the history and current day effects of Islamophobia. While at some points I felt like the truth is probably a bit more in the middle, it was a very good read to get some more insights into islamophobia and to understand (and hopefully not participate in) the current political climate and its unfair fingerpointing to islam for many problems and incidents happening in the West.
September 18, 2025
Four and a half stars. A very comprehensive account of Islamophobia, or anti Muslim bigotry, that discusses its origins, manifestations and effects, such as the power imbalance in terms of access to media and narratives, and “complex ignorance” of many who hold negative views that needs to first be deconstructed.
June 27, 2022
This is an important topic - well researched and written with a balanced perspective, and valuable for non-Muslims to consider. It is far too easy for those of us who are not Muslim to assume that the little we know represents all Muslims, and that we 'understand' people who are 'other'.
January 31, 2021
Good introduction to the concept of Islamophobia
January 7, 2022
Great primer on Islamophobia. Filled with insightful perspectives and a plethora of resources for further investigation.
November 2, 2015
Much needed book
I see so much Islamophobia, that it was good to read an introductory book on the subject that explains it, defines it, analyzes it, and even proposes ways to combat it.
I see so much Islamophobia, that it was good to read an introductory book on the subject that explains it, defines it, analyzes it, and even proposes ways to combat it.
July 28, 2016
Very informative. A book that we all need to read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews