The Gray Area with Sean Illing The war on Muslims (with Mehdi Hasan)
Jan 20, 2020
In this enlightening discussion, Mehdi Hasan, a senior writer for The Intercept and host at Al Jazeera, dives deep into the global epidemic of anti-Muslim bigotry. He examines the unsettling rise of Islamophobia, linking it to political movements and historical roots. Hasan uncovers the grim realities faced by Uyghurs, Rohingya, and other Muslim minorities, emphasizing how social media fuels hate. He also critiques the dual narratives of leaders like Modi and Trump, shedding light on the ideological justifications behind the war on Muslims and the urgent need for understanding and resilience.
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Islamophobia's Justification
- Anti-Muslim bigotry is unique: its existence often requires justification.
- This contrasts with other bigotries where the problem's reality is readily accepted.
Stereotypes and Their Impact
- Muslims are stereotyped as a monolithic, foreign threat to Western culture.
- This fuels authoritarian policies domestically and aggressive interventions abroad.
Bush's "War on Terror" Legacy
- While Bush tried to prevent widespread anti-Muslim bigotry after 9/11, his "war on terror" framework was easily manipulated.
- Other countries used this framework to justify pre-existing prejudices against Muslims.
