Muslim Perspectives in the Western World: Islamophobia and the Challenge of Integration

The current issue, Islamophobia and the Challenge of Integration: Muslim Perspectives in the Western World is the most discussed topic because it is discussed in Western countries. Islamophobia, a phrase meaning dread of Islam and Muslims due to fear of harassrment, is a common occurence in Western countries. By 11 September 2001, every aspect of Western life was affected, including social relations, economic opportunities, and political participation. In their efforts to integrate themselves, Muslims in Western countries face various difficulties. The process of integrating immigrant communities into mainstream society is often hampered by discriminatory and hateful laws.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of Islamophobia on the integration process. In addition, it will discuss how Muslim communities attempt to overcome these barriers. By understanding these dynamics, we can design policies and strategies that support social inclusion and harmony between communities in the Western world.

Islamophobia is a term that refers to prejudice, discrimination, fear, and hatred toward Islam and Muslims. This phenomenon is frequently manifested as negative stereotypes discriminatory behavior, physical and verbal abuse, as well as social distancing from Muslim individuals or communities. Islamophobia not only damages social relations but also reinforces hostility and intolerance in society.

The process by which Muslim individuals or groups attempt to adapt and become a part of the larger society without giving up their cultural and religious identity is known as integration in the context of Muslim communities in countries. Assimilation is a process in which individuals or groups from one culture take on and integrate the cultural characteristics of the dominant group in society.

Discrimination and Prejudice, Western countries today are often faced with a variety of discrimination and prejudice that will affect daily life. This discrimination will occur in various sectors, including the workplace, schools, and society.
Muslims are often discriminated against in the job recruitment process, for example. 

For example, reports show that individuals with Islamic-sounding names often get fewer job interview calls compared to those with yan names. At school, Muslim students may experience bullying or harassment based on their religious identity. In the general community, Muslims may face discrimination in the form of verbal or physical abuse, as well as social exclusion.

The Concept of Islamophobia and Integration

Based on the historical development of Islam in the West, our understanding of Islamophobia considers the historical influence of Islamic civilisation within a particular region and across the globe. 

The history of Islamophobia in the West began with the medieval crusades, which reinforced negative perceptions of Islam as an external enemy. During the crusades, several military campaigns from Latin Europe were initiated to take back the Holy Land from Muslims. This led to political and military conflicts that often perceived Islam as a threatening force.

Most Muslim territories in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia were controlled by European countries such as Britain, France and the Netherlands in the 1800s and early 1900s. Besides generating labour and natural resources among Muslims, colonialism instilled a sense of religious and cultural superiority among the colonisers. Governments have sought to use religion as a tool for societal and political control by creating negative stereotypes of Muslims as insolent or culturally inward-looking.

After the Second World War, the Cold War, fought between the Western bloc and the Soviet bloc, affected global geopolitics. In the Middle East, Muslims who wanted political and social change were often frustrated and dissatisfied because Western countries supported authoritarian regimes or secular monarchies. This suggests that the West is an enemy of Islam that imposes unfavourable policies.

Terrorist attacks carried out by groups claiming to be Muslims, such as the Al-Qaeda attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001, have greatly affected people's perception of Islam. Although the majority of Muslims reject and condemn such violence, the media often reinforces the link between terrorism and Islam as a whole. Unbalanced opinions or sensationalism can reinforce poor beliefs and cause more people to disparage Islam.

In a number of Western countries, especially in recent decades, populist politicians have used immigration and identity issues as a way to gain political support. Negative attitudes towards Islam can be reinforced by rhetoric that blames Islam for current social or economic problems. 

Political campaigns based on fears of "Islamisation" or loss of national identity have the potential to exacerbate cultural conflicts. Another factor contributing to the development of Islamophobia is a lack of deep understanding of Islam as well as a lack of direct interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims. Ignorance or misunderstanding of Muslim culture, values and religious practices can exacerbate prejudices and stereotypes.

Islamophobia in everyday life can be seen in verbal discrimination, negative stereotypes in the media, employment difficulties and discriminatory policies, excessive security surveillance, as well as reactions to clothing or religious symbols. This can affect access to worship and religious needs, and can lead to social isolation and anti-Muslim sentiment. Measures that can be taken to prevent Islamophobia include education, intercultural dialogue. Protection of human rights, and rejection of stereotypes and discrimination.
- The Difference between Integration and Assimilation in the Context of Islamophobia
Integration leads to the process of individuals or groups from diverse cultural backgrounds participating fully in the social, economic, and political life of a society while maintaining their cultural identity whereas Assimilation, refers to the process by which minority individuals or groups are expected to adopt the majority culture, often at the expense of their original cultural identity.
- The Importance of Integration for Multicultural Societies in Overcoming Islamophobia
Integration is an important process for multicultural societies that ensures that cultural diversity does not become a source of conflict but a driving force that enriches life together.
The reasons why integration is important for multicultural societies are:
1. Increased social harmony
2. Strengthening National Identity
3. Increased Social and Economic Participation
4. Development of a Rich and Diverse Culture
5. Political Stability and Security

Challenges Faced by Muslims in Western Countries
- Discrimination and Prejudice
1. Workplace
 -Workplace
 Unfair treatment: Muslim workers are often treated with suspicion or deemed incompetent simply because of their religion.
 Difficulty praying: Muslim workers do not have enough time and space to pray, or they may have difficulty requesting time off on religious holidays.
 -Schools
 Religious bullying: Muslim students are often subjected to verbal and physical bullying from other students because of their faith, such as insults or physical attacks.
 Harassment by Teachers: Sometimes teachers also show prejudice, such as making negative comments about Islam in class.
 -General public
 Verbal and physical attacks: Muslims are often subjected to verbal or physical attacks in public places, such as on the street, public transport, etc.
 Unfair service: Muslims are often treated badly or turned away from restaurants, shops or other service providers because they wear the hijab.
2. The role of the media in reinforcing negative stereotypes.
   Focus on Violence and Terrorism: the media reports a lot of violent acts committed by individuals or groups claiming to be Muslims.
   Ignoring positive contributions: Achievements and positive contributions of the Muslim community rarely receive equal attention.
- Government Policy
1. Policies that support and hinder integration
   Restrictive policy on religious symbols
   Exclusive education policy (removal of religious education)
2. The impact of anti-terrorism policies on Muslim communities.
   Muslims are often subjected to very strict security checks at airports, borders, and other public places.
Daily Harassment: Muslims often face daily harassment at work, school or in public places because they are perceived as a threat or something else.
- Identity and Culture
1. Challenges in maintaining Muslim identity amidst Western culture
   Discrimination and Prejudice
   Social Integration
   Restrictions on Religious Freedom
2. Conflict between religious values and secularism
The conflict between religious values and secularism, when seen from an Islamophobic perspective, is often associated with negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims in the context of a predominantly secular society.
Efforts to Address Integration Challenges
- Government Approach
By the government not implementing excessive surveillance and control policies on individual Muslims, under the pretext of counterterrorism.
 This often creates a sense of insecurity among Muslims.
1. Policy initiatives that support integration
Incorporate education about Islam into the school curriculum in order to educate people from an early age about Islamic values, religious practices, and the positive contributions of Muslims to society.
2. Best practice examples from successful countries.
Canada has an active multiculturalism policy that promotes recognition and respect for cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity. Canada has an awareness programme to counter stereotypes and prejudices against Muslims.

Case Studies of Western Countries
- America
1. Policy analyses and everyday realities of American Muslims
Muslims in America reflect a complex and often challenging situation.
2. The role of organizations such as CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations).
   Advocacy and Legal Protection
   Active in Public Education and Awareness
   Active in Media Monitoring
- Australia and Canada
Australia and Canada have different approaches to the integration of Muslim communities, namely:
1.Comparison of integration approaches and the influence of Islamophobia
   Australia
 Integration with Assimilation Approach
 Security and Migration Policy
 Education and Awareness Approach
   Canada
Active Multiculturalism
 Awareness and Education Approach
 Legal Protection

Conclusion

This publication highlights the impact of Islamophobia and the challenges of Muslim integration in the West. Islamophobia, in the form of discrimination and negative stereotypes, hinders integration into majority societies. Organisations such as CAIR play a role in protecting the rights of Muslims through legal advocacy and public education. 

Countries such as Canada stand out for their multicultural policies that support the recognition of cultural and religious diversity. To overcome Islamophobia, education, intercultural dialogue, protection of human rights, and rejection of stereotypes are needed. These measures are important to promote social integration and harmony among.

Anggun Chintya Novitasari_20230510127_J_AIK 2 Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta