Lehigh Preserve Institutional Repository Embracing Islam in the Age of Terror: Post 9/11 Representations of Islam and Muslims in the United States and Personal Stories of American Converts Brunet, Clemence 2013 Find more at https://preserve.lib.lehigh.edu/ This document is brought to you for free and open access by Lehigh Preserve. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator of Lehigh Preserve. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Embracing Islam in the Age of Terror: Post 9/11 Representations of Islam and Muslims in the United States and Personal Stories of American Converts by Clemence Brunet A Thesis Presented to the Graduate and Research Committee of Lehigh University in Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Arts in American Studies Lehigh University May 2013 i © 2013 Copyright Clemence Brunet ii Thesis is accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts in American Studies. Embracing Islam in the Age of Terror: Post 9/11 Representations of Islam and Muslims in the United States and Personal Stories of American Converts Clemence Brunet Date Approved Thesis Director Dr. Saladin Ambar Co-Director Dr. Bruce Whitehouse Department Chair Dr. Edward Whitley iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract 1 Introduction 2 Chapter One: Perceptions and Representations of Islam and Muslims after 9/11: language, media, hate groups and public opinion 8 Chapter Two: Muslim terrorists in the Entertainment Media and American Jihadists in the Media 49 Chapter Three: Personal Stories and Experiences of White American converts to Islam 85 Conclusion 133 Works Cited 138 Vita 155 iv ABSTRACT The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were one of the most traumatic events experienced by the American people on their soil.