Islamophobia and the Question of Muslim Identity

The Politics of Difference and Solidarity

Evelyn Leslie Hamdon

This book is a critical analysis of a Muslim group in Canada that has been working to challenge Islamophobia in their community. An important part of their anti-racist work involves dealing with the internal conflicts and dilemmas created by the differences among the members of the group. The coalition has been successful in developing several educational initiatives, in part, because they have been able to negotiate internal differences in ways that do not fragment the group. Through discussions with members of the coalition the author explores the tensions that arise from these internal differences, and in doing so demonstrates the diversity of Muslim identity — and challenges the stereotypical image that has permeated the West for centuries.

Contents

Introduction: Islamophobia and Muslims in Canada • Why Now? Why This? • Participant Motivation for Engaging in Coalition Work • Who Can Define a Proper Muslim? • The New Muslim Ummah? Complex and Contested Muslim Identities • ” Sometimes it’s positive, sometimes it’s scary”: Personal Struggles with Identity and Difference • Strategies for Negotiating Difference • Making the Path as We Walk It

About the Author

Evelyn is a PhD student and Killam Scholar in the department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Alberta and her research focus is on representations of Arab and Muslim women in popular culture. Her research focuses on how racialized groups negotiate their complex identities and identity differences within solidarity and activist spaces and the effects of media representations on their lived experiences. More broadly, Evelyn is interested in how to support the deconstruction of identity binaries in order to heal social fissures and to foster mutual understanding and equity. Over the past 27 years Evelyn has, and continues to work as an adult educator/activist focusing on equity and identity in learning and social contexts and is currently the co-coordinator of the Global Citizenship Curriculum Development Initiative at the University of Alberta. Her current and past community involvement includes the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, The Edmonton Council of Muslim  Communities, Phoenix Interfaith Society, The Arab/Jewish Women’s Peace Coalition, Women In Black, The Anti-Racism and Decolonization Network, Global Education Network and The Centre for Organizing and Political Education.

Excerpt

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