Islamophobia and Hate Speech

Abstract

This chapter begins by introducing various approaches to Islamophobia Studies and how to apply them to the concept of hate speech, which will be understood as the communication of disparagement and animosity on the basis of an identity-based factor. Islamophobia is a strategic instrument for powerful actors to achieve certain goals, thus hate speech is applied to disseminate ideas of superiority and to incite hatred, contempt, and discrimination against Muslims. Lasswell’s model of communication describes an act of communication with regard to “who said it, what was said, in what channel it was said, to whom it was said, and with what effect it was said.” In order to identify “who said it,” the chapter draws on a five-part typology of Islamophobic actors that produce ideas and practices detrimental to Muslims. “What is said” and “in what channel” are demonstrated on patterns of Islamophobic messages in mass media and in social media.