The Political Appropriation of the Muslim Body

"This is a serious and important book. We only have to review the human rights abuses domestically and globally to see that Muslims are facing targeted crimes, cruel discrimination and vicious ill-treatment on an alarming scale. In some places it is amounting to genocide. My tribute to Susan Edwards. A great lawyer and champion of human rights." Helena Kennedy QC, Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, member of the House of Lords, Director of the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute

"This book undertakes a forensic examination of the physical and rhetorical attacks committed against Muslims and Muslim-looking people [those believed to be Muslim] in the years since September 11, 2001. Edwards' indictment of the Islamophobia that saturates contemporary media-coverage, counter-terrorism strategy, and foreign policy-making is both deeply personal and highly scholarly, drawing upon insights from law, sociology, anthropology,and cultural studies". Shakira Hussein, author of From Victims to Suspects: Muslim women since 9/11

Drawing upon law, politics, sociology, and gender studies, this volume explores the ways in which the Muslim body is stereotyped, interrogated, appropriated and demonized in Western societies and subject to counter-terror legislation and the suspension of human rights. The author examines the intense scrutiny of Muslim women's dress and appearance, and their experience of hate crimes, as well as how Muslim men's bodies are emasculated, effeminized and subjected to torture. Chapters explore a range of issues including Western legislation and foreign policy against the 'Other', orientalism, Islamophobia, masculinity, the intersection of gender with nationalism and questions about diversity, inclusion, religious freedom, citizenship and identity.

This text will be of interest to scholars and students across a range of disciplines,including sociology, gender studies, law, politics, cultural studies, international relations, and human rights.

Susan S.M. Edwards is Professor in Law, Emerita at University of Buckingham and has degrees in law and sociology. She is a barrister, women's rights activist and campaigner. She has researched and lectured around the world, including in the Middle East.

Auteur

Susan S.M. Edwards is Professor in Law, Emerita at University of Buckingham and has degrees in law and sociology. She is a barrister, women's rights activist and campaigner. She has researched and lectured around the world, including in the Middle East.

Résumé

Drawing upon law, politics, sociology, and gender studies, this volume explores the ways in which the Muslim body is stereotyped, interrogated, appropriated and demonized in Western societies and subject to counter-terror legislation and the suspension of human rights. The author examines the intense scrutiny of Muslim women's dress and appearance, and their experience of hate crimes, as well as how Muslim men's bodies are emasculated, effeminized and subjected to torture. Chapters explore a range of issues including Western legislation and foreign policy against the 'Other', orientalism, Islamophobia, masculinity, the intersection of gender with nationalism and questions about diversity, inclusion, religious freedom, citizenship and identity.

This text will be of interest to scholars and students across a range of disciplines, including sociology, gender studies, law, politics, cultural studies, international relations, and human rights.

Contenu

1. Introduction.- 2. Muslim Racialised Tropes Orientalism, Past and Present.- 3. Anti-Muslim Speech.- 4. The Rule Of Law and the War On Terror.- 5. UK Counter-Terror Measures Surveillance, and the Muslim Menace.- 6. US Counter-Terror Law and the Chronicles Of Torture.- 7. Discipline And Punish -Muslim Women's Body and the Covering Laws.- 8. Western Complicity in Non-Western Mandated Covering.