New Books Network Khaled A. Beydoun, "The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims" (U California Press, 2023)
Jan 17, 2026
Khaled A. Beydoun, an associate professor of law at Arizona State University, dives into critical themes from his latest work, exploring the global phenomenon of Islamophobia. He discusses its roots in Orientalism and the repercussions of the American War on Terror. Beydoun highlights real-life narratives, emphasizing their importance in understanding exile and ethnic cleansing, as illustrated through the Rohingya experience. He also examines contemporary issues like India's Citizenship Amendment Act and the escalated Islamophobia following recent global events.
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Narrative Humanizes Legal Scholarship
- Law review style limits empathy by excluding personal narratives from legal analysis.
- Khaled Beydoun intentionally uses storytelling to humanize Muslim experiences and broaden audience reach.
Kenya Mission Inspires Book's Opening
- Beydoun recounts joining a medical mission in Wajir, Kenya, and treating an elderly Somali woman named Kalsum.
- Restoring her vision became a metaphor for exposing Western political and intellectual blindness toward Muslims.
Radicalization Theory Criminalizes Muslim Life
- Radicalization theory frames Muslim identity through the prism of terrorism and policing.
- Beydoun argues counter-radicalization policies deputize Muslims and restrict free exercise, assembly, and speech.
