The Islamophobia Industry
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Property of Pluto Press: Do Not Reproduce The Islamophobia Industry “This concise, accessible and illuminating book meets one of the most urgent needs of our time. Lean has provided a compelling counter-narrative that reveals the vested interests and highly organized networks of those who preach the virulent Islamophobia that is not only endangering world peace but is also corroding the tolerance and egalitarian ethos that should characterize Western society. This book should be required reading.” — Karen Armstrong “Islamophobia is not only about ignorance and fear. Some people purposefully nurture it and use it as a political strategy. Nathan Lean’s The Islamophobia Industry shows what is happening behind the scenes. It is an essential book for anyone who wants to understand the rationale and objectives behind those who foster this new racism against Muslims.” — Tariq Ramadan, Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University and author of The Quest for Meaning “The climate of fear and cultural mistrust is one of the grim aspects of present-day society—but it doesn’t happen by accident. As this readable and well-researched book demonstrates, hatred sells; it can provide both money and power to those who profit from it. This book exposes the dirty secrets of those who try to manipulate public opinion against Muslims. It should be read by policymakers, concerned citizens, and everyone who values truth and intercultural understanding.” — Mark Juergensmeyer, Professor of Global Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence. “Nathan Lean has written a book of immense importance for our times. By lifting the veil on the multi-million-dollar Islamophobia Industry, Lean shines a light on the nefarious network of business, political, and religious organizations and individuals who employ rank bigotry to promote their interests. A must-read.” — Reza Aslan, author of No God But God “In this provocative and engaging book, Nathan Lean meticulously untangles the dense web of fear merchants who have made Muslim-bashing a cottage industry. He reveals the connections between them and the motives that animate their machine of propaganda. Lean’s is a battle against Islamophobia, one that he wages with a seamless and compelling narrative.” — Juan Cole, author of Engaging the Muslim World Lean T02579 00 pre 1 02/07/2012 08:10 Property of Pluto Press: Do Not Reproduce “The spike in anti-Muslim sentiment didn’t fall from the sky—it was manufactured by a shadowy network of bloggers, funders, pundits, preachers and politicians. In a tightly written, fast-paced narrative that feels like a thriller backed by the research of a doctoral thesis, Lean shows just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Essential reading for anyone who wants a window into the origins of contemporary Islamophobia.” — Eboo Patel, author of Acts of Faith and Sacred Ground “So many of America’s mistakes and bad acts over the past decade are due to Islamophobia, and Nathan Lean’s new book traces the phenomenon’s genesis and its culprits. Those who have been spawning this all-too-familiar demonization campaign have been hiding in the dark for too long. This book is so valuable because it drags them out into the light and thus performs a true service for the nation.” — Glenn Greenwald, columnist for Salon and author of Liberty and Justice For Some “In the months after 9/11, Americans took pride in defending Muslim neighbors in their own communities. Political leaders boasted about liberating Muslims overseas. So why are the politics of fear more intense a decade after the murders at the twin towers? Lean pins the blame on an Islamophobia industry in a lucid and detailed examination of the dark side of our politics.” — Richard Wolffe, MSNBC political analyst and author of Renegade: The Making of a President “Nathan Lean has written an eye-opener—the most comprehensive book to date on a new and dangerous cycle of minority persecution in American society. Lean’s book exposes the key players, funders and enablers of Islamophobia in America and the destructive effect of their politics on our national fabric. It is worth every minute of reading.” — Nihad Awad, National Executive Director, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) “Lean’s meticulous study is a convincing demonstration of the threat Islamophobia poses to a pluralistic society and democratic values. Rationalizing hatred of Muslims, well-funded ideologues also negatively impact civic discourse and push conservative politics into the orbit of right-wing extremism. This is an important resource for all who wish to understand the forces that manipulate our political process and discourse.” — Ingrid Mattson, Chair in Islamic Studies, Huron University College “Absolutely indispensable ... Any journalist, pundit, policy-maker or intelligence analyst who doesn’t read The Islamophobia Industry and take its message to heart is committing professional malpractice. Any citizen concerned about the future of this country and the world at large owes it to themselves to read this book, lest the processes Lean describes poison relations between the West and the Muslim world for generations to come.” — Mark LeVine, author of Heavy Metal Islam “The Islamophobia Industry is a clarion call. It’s a necessary and timely work that carefully dissects and exposes a cottage-industry of fear mongers who have deliberately manufactured hysteria and hate to divide Americans along religious and racial lines to promote their own self-profit and selfish, misguided politics.” — Wajahat Ali, award-winning playwright and lead author of Fear Inc.: Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America Lean T02579 00 pre 2 02/07/2012 08:10 Property of Pluto Press: Do Not Reproduce THE ISLAMOPHOBIA INDUSTRY How the Right Manufactures Fear of Muslims Nathan Lean Foreword by John L. Esposito Lean T02579 00 pre 3 02/07/2012 08:10 Property of Pluto Press: Do Not Reproduce First published 2012 by Pluto Press 345 Archway Road, London N6 5AA www.plutobooks.com Distributed in the United States of America exclusively by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of St. Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010 Copyright © Nathan Lean 2012 The right of Nathan Lean to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978 0 7453 3254 3 Hardback ISBN 978 0 7453 3253 6 Paperback ISBN 978 1 8496 4746 5 PDF eBook ISBN 978 1 8496 4748 9 Kindle eBook ISBN 978 1 8496 4747 2 EPUB eBook Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data applied for This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources. Logging, pulping and manufacturing processes are expected to conform to the environmental standards of the country of origin. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Designed and produced for Pluto Press by Chase Publishing Services Ltd Typeset from disk by Stanford DTP Services, Northampton, England Simultaneously printed digitally by CPI Antony Rowe, Chippenham, UK and Edwards Bros in the United States of America Lean T02579 00 pre 4 02/07/2012 08:10 Property of Pluto Press: Do Not Reproduce For Naima: my muse, my love, and my life Lean T02579 00 pre 5 02/07/2012 08:10 Property of Pluto Press: Do Not Reproduce Lean T02579 00 pre 6 02/07/2012 08:10 Property of Pluto Press: Do Not Reproduce Contents Acknowledgments viii Foreword by John L. Esposito x Introduction 1 1 Monsters Among Us: A History of Sowing Fear in America 16 2 A Web of Deception: Fomenting Hate Online 41 3 Media Mayhem: Broadcasting Anti-Muslim Madness 66 4 We Come Bearing Crosses: The Christian Right’s Battle for Eternity 78 5 Of Politics and Prophecy: The Alliance of the Pro-Israel Right 119 6 To Washington and Beyond: Islamophobia as Government Policy 137 7 Across the Pond: The Deadly Effects of Hate in Europe 156 Conclusion 181 Notes 185 Bibliography 211 Index 214 Lean T02579 00 pre 7 02/07/2012 08:10 Property of Pluto Press: Do Not Reproduce Acknowledgments This book came about during a particularly important time in my life. One week after getting married, I penned the first chapter. Over the course of the next year, a time when most young couples would be basking in the newness of wedded bliss, I was often sitting at my desk staring blankly at the computer screen or lost in deep thought during dinner. For any other woman, such obsession would have spurred a quick exit. But my wife Naima has been my greatest ally. She has loved me beyond measure, encouraged me without ceasing, and inspired me in so many beautiful ways. Where most would leave their beloveds ’till the end, I shall place mine first—precisely where she belongs atop the list of those who have so profoundly shaped this book, and in some cases, my life. My family, as always, was very supportive and encouraging. They endured my endless rants and shared in my excitement as the various pieces of this project came together. My father Larry, my mother Linda Rose, and my sister Katherine have each offered me, through their own lives, a vision of the type of person I hope to one day be. My grandmother too has a special place in my heart and constantly asked about my progress and expressed her support as only a grandmother can do. My parents-in-law, despite their distance, were also supportive of this endeavor and have a special place in my heart.