Contesting Islam, Constructing Race and Sexuality

de Sunera Thobani, Jason Bahbak Mohaghegh, Lucian Stone

"The current political standoff between America and Iran and the civil wars in Syria and Yemen illustrate that the interaction between so-called Western and Middle Eastern civilizations is constantly in flux. A recurring theme however is how Islam and Muslims signify the 'Other' in the Western socio-cultural imagination and have become the standard against which the West identifies itself, particularly during the so-called 'War on Terror'. In a unique and insightful blend of feminist, critical race and post-colonial theory, SuneraThobani examines how Islam has contributed to the formation of Western identity at critical points in history such as the Crusades, the Reconquista and the colonial period. More specifically, she explores how masculinity and femininity are formed at such pivotal junctures and what role feminism has to play in the fight against 'radical' Islam. Cleverly exposing their symbiotic relationship, Thobani writes of how the return of 'religion' has created the racial, gender and sexual politics by which Western society defines itself and more specifically defines itself against Islam. Engaging with leading thinkers and multi-disciplinary ideas, she has written an essential text for students of critical theory, religion, history and politics"--