Muslims 'used as scapegoats' as Islamophobic political rhetoric rises in US
The US midterm elections are months away, and Republican politicians appear to be leaning into a tried-and-true method of whipping up support in their base: Islamophobia. Experts say the US is seeing a rise of Islamophobia in general, and an increase in Islamophobic rhetoric among political figures in particular. One of the last committee hearings on the schedule before Congress went into August…
As the US midterm elections draw nearer, Republican politicians are increasingly embracing Islamophobia to rally their base, according to experts. The rise of Islamophobic rhetoric among political figures is a growing concern, with experts attributing it to rising dissatisfaction over various issues in the US, such as the Iran war, petrol prices, and economic uncertainty.
During a recent committee hearing focused on countering the Muslim Brotherhood's influence in the US, Senator Ted Cruz, the sole participant after Democrats boycotted, tried to connect the Muslim Brotherhood with other groups and political figures like Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed. Meanwhile, a group of Congressmen formed the Sharia-Free America Caucus, with over 70 members advocating against "extreme" Islamic law. Texas Representative Keith Self called adherence to this law one of the "greatest threats" facing the nation.
As Islamophobic rhetoric becomes more prevalent, experts warn that Muslims are being used as scapegoats when things go wrong. This approach is part of the playbook used to create fear and rally the Republican base. Republican politicians are attempting to pass discriminatory laws against Muslims, which could potentially pass due to the current Republican control of Congress and the White House.
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