Islamophilia to Islamophobia: Liberal Religion and the Global Public Sphere

FAIN: FT-286320-22

Kathleen Foody
North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC 27695-0001)

Writing one chapter and the introduction and conclusion of a book tracing shifting representation of Islam in the public sphere from amiable to threatening.

This book project explores a series of differently located international attempts to promote a positive image of Islam on the world stage from the 1970s through the 2000s. It examines how American and British governments, international interfaith organizations, and domestic civil society groups crafted new images of Islam in the international sphere. This project contributes to conversations about the representation of Islam by examining how positive portrayals of “good Islam” responded to, made space for, and perhaps prompted, anti-Muslim fears and hostilities.