The Evolution of Islam and The American Right
About this episode
This episode discusses the evolution of Islam's perception in America, particularly in relation to the far-right and the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Later this year, Americans will recognize September 11, 2026 as the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center back in 2001. The attack was enacted by Al-Qaeda, a radical Islamic organization. And while countless Muslims decried the violence as both a tragedy and as an anti-Islamic act, the following years saw many Muslims ( and people suspected to be Muslims ) severely mistreated. Right after 9/11, there were nearly 20 times the amount of assaults on muslims every year as there had been in the 90’s. And, while that figure has risen and fallen in the decades since, in certain circles, a suspicion of Muslims in the U.S. and even an all out hatred of the Islamic faith has lingered. One of the circles in which Islam has often been called into question has been the far right. Speaking of Muslims back in 2015, Trump said “Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension.” He said this in connection with his plans to prevent Muslim Immigration into the United States. A plan which, when elected, he partially saw through, by banning refugees from seven predominantly Muslim nations from entering the country…
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Al-Qaeda, FOX News
Places: Christchurch, New Zealand
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