Islamophobia from the Perspective of Western Political Thought

This research aims to clarify the concept of Islamophobia, examining its causes, manifestations, and the reasons behind its intensification and the clash between the Islamic world and the West. It also seeks to propose appropriate solutions to address this phenomenon and counter its negative effects. The study concludes that Islamophobia has become prominent in international political discourse, especially following political events and attacks by (Islamic) groups on civilian targets worldwide. This phenomenon is rooted in the longstanding conflict between followers of major religions. The researcher emphasizes that Islam is often stereotyped in Western societies as a result of Western interests, propagated through political discourses, ideological writings by Orientalists, studies, media in all its forms, and by extreme right-wing parties. Combating this phenomenon requires a comprehensive strategy to eliminate terrorism and its sources, promote the true image of Islam to Western audiences, and distinguish the genuine portrayal from stereotypes fueled by Western media and ideology. A clear media plan should be developed to achieve this goal. Furthermore, fostering a global public opinion reveals that Islamophobia is a serious issue, comparable to anti-Semitism in the West.