Introduction
The social construction of the “Muslim race” has influenced the racialisation of the community on the basis of their Muslim identity. The racialisation process has been exacerbated by the recent terror attacks in France and Belgium, resulting in the unjust attachment of these acts to the Muslim community. Anti-Muslim racism is now the predominant form of racism in Britain, manifesting itself on an institutional and individual level (Mahamadille, 2005). This essay aims to discuss the reality of anti-Muslim racism in Britain through processes of racialisation and through manifestations of anti-Muslim hostility and discrimination. But first emphasis is placed on how “the Muslim race” has become socially constructed by mainstream British society.
Social Construction of “Muslim Race”
Social constructionists share the belief that categorisation on the basis of biologically transmitted traits is a pseudo that traditionally was used to justify the unequal treatment of certain groups by others (mainly relating to skin colour) (Machery, 2005). Biology, religion and culture merely provide the materials from which we socially construct the ideas of difference and community. Scholars now widely believe that race is socially constructed as opposed to biologically based (Bonilla, 1997). The “Muslim Race” is arguably the greatest example of a socially constructed race in recent times. Despite major differences in skin colour, nationality and culture, the Muslim community have been categorised on the basis of their ethno-religion.
Racialisation
The social construction of the “Muslim race” has led to the groups racialisation. Racialisation refers to processes of domination that involve assigning racial characteristics to a specific group of people with the result of limiting their opportunities to full equality (Lentin, 2012). Muslims in Britain have been