This book investigates the contested phenomena of Islamophobia, exploring the dichotomous relationship that exists between Islamophobia as a political concept and Islamophobia as a ‘real’ and tangible discriminatory phenomenon. In doing so, this book improves understanding about Islamophobia through arguing how this dichotomous contestation serves a number of functions. To do so, Allen radically reframes and reconfigures existing notions and understandings of Islamophobia. It does so in two ways. First, through presenting empirical data gathered from more than 100 victims of Islamophobic hate crime to categorically evidence that Islamophobia is indeed real and tangible. Second, through unrivalled ‘insider’ experience gained as an independent adviser on Islamophobia and associated issues to various political, community and third sector stakeholders. Challenging existing scholarly conceptions of Islamophobia, this book also challenges politicians and policymakers to do more.
Provides a timely response to the need for a definition and understanding of Islamaphobia, in the public, political and policy spaces Offers robust empirical evidence to inform and shape thinking Examines how Islamophobia is experienced differently by men, women and communities, and examines the impacts
Chris Allen
discrimination policy hate studies victims securtization social policy identity ethnicity, class, gender and crime violence and crime
“This is a timely and significant contribution to our understanding of Islamophobia. Reconfiguring Islamaphobia: A Radical Rethinking of a Contested Concept provides new and informed insights related to Islamophobia as a discriminatory phenomenon in the public, political and scholarly spaces. Written by Chris Allen, leading international expert, the book demonstrates how Islamophobia is not merely a discriminatory phenomenon but also a highly political and politicised phenomenon. The book deploys a unique methodological approach including robust empirical data and ‘insider’ experiences in order to demonstrate the real and tangible manifestations of Islamophobia and thus reconfigure Islamophobia as a public and political phenomenon. I highly recommend it as essential reading for students, academics and practitioners interested in this subject” (Irene Zempi, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Nottingham Trent University, UK)
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