Submitted to Program Units |
---|
1: Interreligious and Interfaith Studies Unit and Religion in Europe Unit |
Antisemitism and Islamophobia have been rising dramatically across Europe and North America. While there are distinct underlying social structures, political dynamics, and cultural phenomena that have fueled the emergence and evolution of antisemitism and Islamophobia, especially from country to country, they are often intertwined in certain ways and echoed across contexts. In light of these troubling trends, we seek papers that explore the complex distinctions between and/or intertwinings of antisemitism and Islamophobia in Europe or North America, or papers that offer a deeper perspective of either antisemitism or Islamophobia in comparative light between Europe and North America. We also welcome papers that problematize or contest these terms (antisemitism and Islamophobia), their conceptual formulations, their applicability, and their usefulness in certain contexts due to residual colonialism and ongoing intersections/confrontations with white supremacy. We encourage attention to how global events affect the rise of and relationship between antisemitism and Islamophobia and/or interreligious relations in either contemporary or historical contexts.
Abstract for Online Program Book (maximum 150 words)
Antisemitism and Islamophobia have been rising dramatically across Europe and North America. While there are distinct underlying social structures, political dynamics, and cultural phenomena that have fueled the emergence and evolution of antisemitism and Islamophobia, especially from country to country, they are often intertwined in certain ways and echoed across contexts. In light of these troubling trends, this panel will explore the complex roots and interreligious intertwinings of antisemitism and Islamophobia in Europe and North America. The papers offer reflection on these concepts from a range of perspectives, including: Du Bois' exploration of race, religion, Zionism and Antisemitism in the US; gender the transnational roots of Islamophobia in Protestantism in Britain and the US; and the oft-overlooked relationship between 20th century Jewish and Catholic revival in Europe. In the discussion portion, special attention will be drawn to how global events affect the rise of and relationship between antisemitism and Islamophobia and/or interreligious relations in contemporary or historical contexts.