ISLAMOPHOBIA AND ITS DISCONTENTS: THE REDUCTION OF MUSLIMS' SELF CONFIDENCE IN THE INFORMATION AGE

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Published: Dec 30, 2010
Keywords:
Islamophobia self-confidence media constructing opinion propaganda

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Lili Yulyadi Arnakim
Ibnu Hamad

Abstract

This paper analyzes the role of the media in this age of information technology in diminishing Muslims' self confidence. The propaganda of the West and the war it has been waging on Islamophobic sentiments intensified after the September 11 tragedy in 2001, to which the image of Islam has been more tarnished like never before, leading to the loss of self-confidence amongst Muslims in representing Islam. By recourse to textual analysis of selected printed and electronic media from Western as well as Muslim countries, this paper finds that the media has played aa significant role in constructing public opinion on Islam and to a great extent has resulted in the increase of Islamophobic sentiments among non-Muslims in addition to the loss of Muslim self-confidence. Since the media is controlled by Western elites and corporations, the information on this broader Islamic threat have been overwhelmingly anti-Islamist in orientation and opposed the influence of Islam on the social and political life of Muslims. 'Islamic' sources of information, on the other hand, have also been misleadingly triumphant in tone, trumpeting success that has been exaggerated or unrepresentative of broader trends. This paper suggests that Islamically-oriented sources should strategically position and reconstruct Islam more meaningfully and effectively when tackling public opinion.
 

Keywords: Islamophobia, self-confidence, media, constructing opinion, propaganda

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Vol. 15 (2010): Abstract & Full Paper
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