Behnashr new book, telling narrative of Islamophobia in Canada

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Behnashr, the publishing house of Astan Quds Razavi, has released a new book titled ‘Islamophobia: Anti-Muslim Racism’, which offers narratives of Islamophobia rampant in the Canadian education system and media. The book recounts lived experiences of Muslim youth in Canada and their challenges in the wake of Sep. 11 attacks.

Presenting a historical context of Islamophobia through race, gender, social class, and Muslims’ representations in cinema, television, and news media, the author Naved Bakali explores experiences Muslim teachers and students have gone through in Canadian secondary schools in the post-9/11 era. It also investigates whether or not there is a connection between anti-Muslim racism and false clichés in the media. Some Hollywood movies centering on “Islamic Terrorism” are also analyzed later in the book.

Theorizing anti-Muslim racism, or 'Islamophobia' from a critical race perspective, Bakali argues how racist treatment of Muslims in public and political spheres has been mediated through the “War on Terror”.

Furthermore, the author examines Muslim youth experiences in dealing with race, gender, identity, and politics in their schools and broader society. The book uncovers systemic bias and racism against Muslim youth in a climate that is fast becoming hostile towards Muslims. Ultimately, the findings of this this work suggest that anti-Muslim racism in the post-9/11 period is inseparably linked to the effects of the “War on Terror” in the North American context. Moreover, Islamophobia is also influenced by local practices, policies, and nationalist debates. This book is a unique contribution to anti-racism education as it examines systemic and institutionalized racism towards Muslims in Canadian secondary schools.

‘Islamophobia: Anti-Muslim Racism’ was written in English by Naved Bakali in 2016 and translated into Persian by Mojtaba Moalemian and Zahra Niknasab.

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