Read or listen to the NPR article
https://www.npr.org/2011/04/11/135305409/frances-burqa-ban-adds-to-anti-muslim-climate
and then read the Semati article and then answer the following questions.
- What, in your words, do you think Semati is arguing in his article? He has an opinion about the ways that Islamophobia is showing up in public policies in the United States and Western Europe. What are the pieces of his argument with which you agree? What are the pieces with which you disagree?
- Given what you learned in the NPR report and from other materials about France’s ban on the burqa (more specifically, on the niqab or face covering), how do you think such a proposed ban would fare in the United States? Do you think that a politician proposing such a ban would receive support in the United States? Why might some people support such a ban? Why might some people object to such a ban?
Globalization
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Globalization
Semati is basically criticizing popular beliefs and ideologies that have been raised concerning Islamism. He argues that the Muslim Other as figured in the post-Cold War popular and political imaginary posit that ‘culture’ has acquired a putative explanatory power in addressing (global) socio-political antagonisms because it accommodates the evasion of the politics of the emergence of the Muslim Other (Semati, 2010). This alludes to the demonization of Islamism and categorizing it as an inferior civilization and a special culture that is different from others. The author does not subscribe to the positive aspect of the term Islamophobia but only sees it as a justification and embellishment of the deep-rooted hate for Muslims among those who subscribe to Euro-Americaness. He writes that “The notion of Islamophobia is viewed as an ideological response that not only empties politics from (international) politics by attributing to Islam the ills of (global) society but also by conflating politics, histories, societies and cultures of the Middle East into a unified and negative conception of an essentialized Islam as ideology, which is then deemed incompatible with Euro-Americaness” (Semati, 2010).
A ban on the burqa, specifically on the niqab or face-covering in the US will receive mixed reactions from the public and government institutions as well. Some people will support it while others will oppose it. Those will oppose this ban will do it on the ground of infringement of religious freedom and individual choices. Conservative Muslims have been wearing head coverings and niqab for centuries. Why would it be considered an offense or an improper culture now? However, others can argue that the niqab is a way too exaggerated form of head covering that is unnecessary because it only allows a tiny opening for only the eye to see. Since this is only imposed on women and America being a liberal society may portray this as undermining women and equality. Additionally, it may provoke security-related debate because it is not easy to identify someone in a niqab and that may provide escapes for criminals (Cliteur & Zee, 2016).