ISLAMOPHOBIA AND GLOBAL POLITICAL RELATIONS: WESTERN NARRATIVES AND MUSLIM RESPONSES

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact of Islamophobia on global political relations, with particular attention to how Western media narratives and political discourse shape diplomatic interactions between Muslim-majority countries and Western states. It argues that Islamophobia operates primarily as a form of cultural violence that extends beyond social prejudice to produce measurable political, social, and international consequences. Drawing on Constructivist International Relations theory, securitization theory, and postcolonial analysis, the study demonstrates how media misrepresentation and exclusionary political rhetoric contribute to the normalization of discriminatory policies and the construction of civilizational boundaries. Through qualitative analysis of political rhetoric, media discourse, and policy developments in selected Western contexts, the research shows that Islamophobia undermines the political legitimacy of Muslim minorities, strains diplomatic credibility, and weakens Western soft power in Muslim-majority regions. At the same time, the thesis identifies viable counterstrategies, including media reform, sports diplomacy, grassroots mobilization, and multilateral policy engagement, as mechanisms for challenging entrenched narratives. It concludes that addressing Islamophobia requires coordinated structural reforms across media systems, political institutions, and international cooperation frameworks to foster more stable and inclusive global relations. Key words: Islamophobia, Western media narratives, Constructivist International Relations theory, securitization theory.

Date of Award	2026
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Islamic Studies