Islamophobia and Attitude of the Western World Media: Exploring Counterstrategies in the Prophet’s Seerah Perspective

Abstract

The interrelation of media, public, and policy agenda has been well-established and widely debated in media and political circles. Islamophobia, a hard-core reality of the Western world is one such grave reflection of the phenomenon. Most of the Western misconceptions about Islam such as oppression, terrorism, fist-waving, and/or jumping on burning flags, reiterated through media channels, socio-cultural stereotypes and discriminatory legislation have collectively contributed to widespread hatred among the masses there. The history of Islamophobia traces its roots in medieval Mecca soon after the proclamation of Prophethood by Almighty's last messenger Muhammad (PBUH). The Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provides us reflections on guidance and strategies to deal intelligently with this contemporary challenge of Islamophobia, which had turned enemies of Islam in the medieval ages, into his best companions. The case study qualitatively investigates the literature on anti-Islamic sentiments in the contemporary West and suggests potential strategies to counter the phenomenon of Islamophobia in the light of the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).