RELIGION 1450

Instructor: Dr. Jade Weimer

Name: SADAT PARVEZ

Student ID: 7920392

Behind the Headlines:

Understanding the Portrayal of Islam in Western Media

assignment we are going to look closely at how Islam is shown in Western news. It is essential to

understand how the media shapes our views on this topic and how these portrayals affect society.

The rise of radical Islam and events like 9/11, the media plays a vital role in shaping what people

think about Islam. The goal is to figure out how this affects what people think and how it can

either help or make things more complicated in society.

The main idea is that how Islam is shown in Western media is not simple. It is influenced by

many things, like politics and society. Instead of just criticizing, we want to really understand

why these portrayals happen. We are looking at the bigger picture to see how media affects what

people think about Islam.

We have been learning about how the media talks about different stuff. Now, we are taking a

closer look at how they talk about Islam. We have talked about stereotypes and common themes

that keep popping up. There have been readings and discussions about how certain events, like

the 9/11 attacks, bombings in different cities and lack of knowledge about female head coverings

have influenced the way Islam is shown in the media. These conclusions help guide us in this

assignment as we explore deeper into why these portrayals exist and what impact they have on

how people see Islam.

According to Rezaei and Salami(2019) the way Islam is shown in Western news is a big topic.

News websites, especially online ones, have a strong influence on what people think. After
events like 9/11, how Islam is talked about in the news became a big deal. People worry that the

news might create stereotypes or treat all Muslims the same way. The words and stories in news

headlines can shape how people see Islam and Muslims. They want to find hidden biases,

stereotypes and how Islam is described in different situations. Even though news should be fair,

sometimes the way Islam is shown can be influenced by powerful ideas, politics and what people

in society already think. The challenge is to tell the truth without making all Muslims look the

same. This is important for understanding each other better in our connected world.

After 9/11, life for Muslims changed a lot. They faced more suspicion and discrimination,

especially in Western countries. Governments introduced strict security measures, and Muslims

were often treated unfairly. This made many Muslims feel like they were being watched and

judged just because of their religion. The government actions, like the USA PATRIOT Act,

allowed for more surveillance, which affected people's privacy. Muslims had to deal with

negative stereotypes and it created a sense of not belonging. Even today, Muslims and their

advocates are working hard to fight against discrimination and promote fairness. The period after

9/11 reminds us of the importance of treating everyone with respect, no matter their background.

Bullock and Jafri's article highlights a problem faced by Muslim women in Canada. They feel

left out when people talk about "women" in the country. The issue is that they are often

compared to a stereotypical image of women from less wealthy countries, which gives a limited

idea of what a "Canadian woman" is. The authors argue that this viewpoint wrongly sees Muslim
women as bringing "backward" values to Canada and ignores the uniqueness of their Canadian

identity.

In critically analyzing Bullock and Jafri's article, it becomes evident that the media plays a

significant role in reinforcing stereotypes about Muslim women in Canada, particularly through

the lens of Islam. The authors argue that the portrayal of Muslim women in the media contributes

to their exclusion from the broader narrative of Canadian womanhood.

One common stereotype highlighted by Bullock and Jafri is the portrayal of Muslim women as

carriers of "backward" values, especially in the context of practices like wearing a headscarf. A

significant news story illustrating this stereotype is the reporting on discussions about Quebec's

Bill 21. This legislation limits the display of religious symbols by public sector workers,

including Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab. The media coverage often frames the

headscarf as a symbol of resistance to the so-called "secular" values of the province, reinforcing

the notion that these women are somehow incompatible with modern, progressive Canadian

society. This narrative not only perpetuates stereotypes but also influences public opinion,

potentially shaping a divisive discourse around religious freedom and cultural diversity.

Furthermore, the media tends to oversimplify the meaning of headscarves, primarily presenting

them as symbols of oppression. This oversimplification was evident in the coverage of a high-

profile legal case involving a Muslim woman in Canada who was asked to remove her niqab

while testifying in court. The media's focus on the niqab as a barrier to justice overshadowed the

nuanced discussion about religious freedom and personal choice. By portraying the niqab
exclusively as oppressive, the media strengthened stereotypes about Muslim women. This

shaping of narratives may impact public opinions and could potentially play a role in sidelining

the voices and experiences of these women.The issue with these stereotypes is their ability to

mold public perceptions and impact policy choices. When the media consistently portrays

Muslim women as outsiders bringing "backward" values to Canada, it not only strengthens a

limited view of Canadian identity but also sustains damaging biases. This critical analysis

underscores the importance of media literacy and the need for a more nuanced, inclusive

portrayal of Muslim women in Canada to challenge stereotypes and foster a better understanding

of cultural and religious diversity within the nation.

In summary, the depiction of Islam in Western media is a nuanced and intricate matter that

extends beyond simple criticism. This assignment has explored the intricate ways in which media

shapes our perceptions of Islam, underscoring the significance of comprehending the broader

context from which these portrayals arise. The analysis of stereotypes and recurring themes,

especially in the aftermath of events like 9/11, underscores the substantial influence that media

can hold in shaping public opinion. The insights provided by Rezaei and Salami (2019)

underscore the power of news websites, especially online platforms, in shaping people's thoughts

on Islam. The difficulty lies in maintaining fairness and accuracy while steering clear of creating

stereotypes that oversimplify and generalize diverse Muslim experiences.

Bullock , K. H., & Jafri, G. J. (n.d.). Media (mis) representations: Muslim women in the
Canadian nation. https://cws.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/cwshttps://
cws.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/cws/article/download/7607/6738article/download/
7607/6738.

Kashan, S. (2010). The USA PATRIOT Act: Impact on Freedoms and Civil Liberties. https://
dc.cod.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1123&context=essai

Rukavina, S. (2022). New research shows Bill 21 having “devastating” impact on religious
minorities in Quebec | CBC news. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/
bill-21-impact-religious-minorities-survey-1.6541241

Rezael, S., & Salami, A. (2019, June). The portrayal of Islam and Muslims in Western media: A
critical ... https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
331488131_The_Portrayal_of_Islam_and_Muslims_in_Western_Media_A_Critical_Dis
course_Analysis