Islamophobia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Islamophobia - Essay ExampleIslamophobia, if any, especially as contested deep down a U.K. context, is just such an instance of an active (mis)labelling practice in which contestants - (Jeudo-Christian) Occident vs. (Islamist) Orient as possible (mis)labelled parties to contest - exchange exact same (mis)labelled identity signifier i.e. Islamophobic not only in order to frame parties to contest but for an appropriation of what, ultimately, defines frames of contest per se.Indeed, much literature is dedicated to uncertainty (mis)appropriateness of Islamophobia as a labeller of phobia generated, presumably, from an increasingly visible presence of Islam / Muslims in the U.K. in recent years. 1,2,3 The case for / against Islamophobia, depending on which political party holds argument, is, in fact, made much blurry given ambiguity of what constitutes a Muslim identity in the first place. 4 Considering potentially multiple identities of U.K. Muslims 5,6, contestation between andThis pa per examines multilayered manipulations of Islamophobia as contested within a U.K context. The argument, first, discusses literature on race relations and immigration policies, more emphasis being set on policies pertaining to Commonwealth subjects in Indian Subcontinent. An examination follows of how race-based (addressing ethnicity, assimilation and multiculturalism issues) as opposed to faith-based (addressing religious practices, rights, and interfaith relations) protections have much influenced and/or mixed up contestations over Islam, Muslims and, most importantly, Islamophobia, if any, within a U.K. context. Finally, Islamophobia is placed in a wider European context in which contestation over Islamophobia as such is attached to Continental debates on modern nation-states and multiculturalisms. Race, race relations and immigration policies Historically, Britain has received waves of immigrants of diverse descent for a multitude of reasons. Yet, post-World War II period, pa rticularly during mid-1940s, 1950s and 1960s, witnessed unprecedented influx into major industrial cities for reconstruction efforts. 7,8 Up until late 1960s, no specific laws addressed inter-ethnic violence and conflict. Ironically, ex-colonies subjects were regarded, after all, as second class citizens. 9 Only when families of Asian (primarily Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi) works started to flood English cities and ports in what is referred to as chain immigration (i.e. residents invite close family members and friends and, once Insert Your lowest Name 4settled, relatives and friends invite their own families and friends) did local acts of ethnic violence give prominence to and raise universal awareness on a national level of alien citizen status as part of British reality. 10Still, post-World War II period is one characterised more by inflammatory statements made about nationals of non-British gillyflower and descent 11 rather than about