The Racial Muslim: When Racism Quashes Religious Freedom

A country's religious liberty and legal and social structures can produce prejudice and discrimination against Muslims due to the Racial Muslim concept, which combines race and religion. This book explores the gap between America's aspiration for and fulfillment of religious freedom and its changing demographics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 356 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2021
Publisher: University of California Press

Why does a country with religious liberty enmeshed in its legal and social structures produce such overt prejudice and discrimination against Muslims?
Sahar Aziz's groundbreaking book, "The Racial Muslim," delves into the intricate interplay between race and religion, unveiling what she refers to as the Racial Muslim phenomenon. By comparing discrimination against immigrant Muslims with the prejudicial treatment of Jews, Catholics, Mormons, and African American Muslims during the twentieth century, Aziz explores the gap between America's aspiration for and fulfillment of religious freedom. As America's demographics rapidly shift from a majority white Protestant nation to a multiracial, multireligious society, this book becomes an essential read for understanding how our past continues to shape our present, ultimately detrimentally impacting the nation's future.

The book begins by examining the historical roots of anti-Muslim sentiment in America, tracing it back to the arrival of the first Muslims in the country. Aziz argues that the perception of Muslims as foreign and inferior has been perpetuated by a combination of factors, including media coverage, political rhetoric, and cultural attitudes. She also highlights the role of religion in perpetuating stereotypes and discrimination, as religious beliefs and practices are often used to justify anti-Muslim attitudes.

Throughout the book, Aziz employs a comparative analysis to examine the similarities and differences between discrimination against immigrant Muslims and other religious minorities in America. She highlights the ways in which race and religion intersect to create a unique form of prejudice and discrimination that affects Muslim communities. For example, she notes that while Jews, Catholics, and Mormons have faced similar forms of discrimination, they have also been able to mobilize and advocate for their rights, leading to significant legal and social changes. In contrast, Muslim communities have been slower to organize and advocate for their rights, partly due to the historical marginalization and isolation of Muslim communities.

Aziz also explores the impact of discrimination against immigrant Muslims on their social and economic well-being. She argues that anti-Muslim prejudice and discrimination lead to increased levels of social isolation, economic marginalization, and political disenfranchisement. Muslim communities are often subjected to profiling, surveillance, and hate crimes, which can have a devastating impact on their mental and physical health. Moreover, discrimination against immigrant Muslims can limit their access to education, employment, and housing opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and inequality.

In conclusion, "The Racial Muslim" is a thought-provoking and important book that sheds light on the complex relationship between race, religion, and discrimination in America. Aziz's analysis provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about religious freedom and equality in the United States. By examining the historical roots of anti-Muslim sentiment and the ways in which race and religion intersect to create the Racial Muslim phenomenon, Aziz offers a roadmap for addressing the ongoing challenges faced by Muslim communities in America. This book is an essential read for policymakers, educators, and community leaders who are committed to promoting religious freedom and equality and creating a more inclusive and just society for all.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520382299