ISLAMOPHOBIA İN EUROPE: POLITICAL LEVERAGE FOR FAR-RIGHT/POPULIST PARTIES

Abstract

Although the history of the ideas that constitute the content of the concept of Islamophobia can be taken back quite a bit, the spread of the concept took place in the period after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The discriminatory discourse, which is frequently used both in the media and in the field of politics, has played a role in the increase of negative thoughts in the view of Muslims and the religion of Islam. When the negative image created combined with the economic problems, a favorable environment for populist right politics was created. It is observed that far-right populist parties in Europe, which perceive religious, ethnic and cultural differences as a threat to their countries, try to manipulate the masses who are suspicious of the ideal of the multicultural and multi-ethnic European Union, and use Islamophobia as political leverage, continue their rise in European politics.  However, the increase in hate crimes against foreigners, immigrants and Muslims has increased the concerns about the future of the multicultural and multi-ethnic structure of the European Union. In this context, the study also includes an evaluation on the situation created by the increasing Islamophobia in Europe, based on a scale created by Gordon W. Allport.