
Yaqeen Institute
June 13, 2025 at 02:54 PM
It’s called *“simplified complex representation.”*
It gives the appearance of diversity by pairing negative portrayals of Muslims with a token “good” counterpart.
Media narratives often:
· Link Islam to violence and terrorism
· Omit context or oversimplify global events
· Spotlight liberal or secular Muslims, and use “native informants” or ex-Muslims critical of Islam.
Despite offering “positive” alternatives, the underlying narrative often stays the same: Muslims must prove their loyalty, and peacefulness by falling in line with the status quo—or be cast as threats.
These portrayals sustain the “good Muslim/bad Muslim” binary—a central idea in Islamophobic discourse.
Media, just like politics, shapes public opinion and policy.
*Read the paper “What is Islamophobia? The Politics of Anti-Muslim Racism”* to explore more: https://yqn.io/999bcd

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