Deconstructing America’s Focus on Muslim-Based Terrorism in Light of Growing Right-Wing Violence: Understanding the “New Populism”

• In Event: 2329 - Section on the Sociology of Religion Referred Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 5. Religion and Violence

Abstract

This paper is a qualitative case study that compares two different American groups and efforts to surveil them by the government, namely Muslims, and Right-wing groups. Whenever a breaking news story appears on various media outlets covering a terrorist related incident, it is almost guaranteed that the perpetrator will be Muslim or have a Muslim sounding name. Regardless of political affiliation, the average viewer may lean towards correlating Muslims with terrorism. The infiltration of Muslim communities (under constant surveillance and suspicion) through the use of informants has “thwarted” terrorism and led to distrust of law enforcement within Muslim communities. Meanwhile, American right-wing groups continue to train in military like scenarios with a surplus of arms and ammunition. The members proclaim that their intent is to protect the rights of Americans, but they have a keen interest in monitoring the activities of Muslims which they feel most terrorist organizations stem from. In comparison to patriotic militias, who receive laissez-faire treatment from law enforcement, a double standard arises in how Muslims are provoked and surveilled. Former informants have become outspoken on how the FBI instructed them to create plots of terrorism to justify their “war on terror.” Pressure is then placed on Muslim-Americans by the government, the media, and the general public to condemn terrorism and re-declare their allegiance to American values. This paper will shed light on victims of informant provocation, surveillance of Muslim communities, the double standard in treatment through political neglect and the enablement of American militia groups.

Authors

• Anas Askar

• Amin Asfari, Wake Tech