Introduction: Challenging Misconceptions
In his influential book, The Fate of Abraham: Why the West is Wrong about Islam, Peter Oborne exposes the deep-rooted misconceptions about Muslims that have been ingrained in Western thought. These prejudices, which date back centuries, were deliberately constructed to justify military conquests, economic expansion, and political dominance. From the Crusades to colonialism, from the Cold War to the War on Terror, Islam has consistently been framed as the “other,” an adversary that must be contained, controlled, or even eradicated. However, this distorted narrative has not only harmed Muslims but has also weakened Western societies by fostering division, fear, and authoritarian policies that undermine democracy itself.
Despite this long history of misrepresentation, Islam and the West are not destined for conflict. Instead, they share deep historical, intellectual, and moral connections that can serve as a foundation for mutual understanding and collaboration. By critically reassessing the dominant narratives and recognizing Islam’s invaluable contributions to civilization—both historical and contemporary—we can move toward a more just and inclusive society.
Historical Roots of Hostility: The Invention of the Muslim “Enemy”
The portrayal of Islam as an enemy of Western civilization is not a modern invention—it dates back to the medieval period when the Catholic Church, European monarchs, and early historians constructed a narrative of Islam as a violent, expansionist, and heretical force. This portrayal was strategically crafted to justify the Crusades, a series of religious wars that were, at their core, about territorial expansion, economic control, and consolidating the power of the Church.
The medieval chroniclers who documented these conflicts exaggerated and distorted Islamic beliefs and practices, painting Muslims as bloodthirsty infidels. Islamic civilization, which at the time was experiencing a golden age of intellectual and scientific achievements, was ignored or deliberately erased from Western historical accounts.
This hostile framing persisted through the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, with European historians depicting Islam as a stagnant and backward religion incapable of progress. Colonial powers later adopted this narrative, using it to justify their occupation of Muslim lands. The division of Muslims into “good” and “bad” categories—collaborators versus resistance fighters—became a standard colonial tactic. This legacy continues today, shaping foreign policies, immigration laws, and domestic security measures across the West.
From the Cold War to the War on Terror: Islam as the New Enemy
With the fall of the Soviet Union, the West needed a new ideological adversary. Islam, which had long been cast as a monolithic and threatening force, became the perfect replacement. Samuel Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations thesis cemented this idea in Western political thought, suggesting that Islam and the West were destined for an inevitable and irreconcilable conflict. This narrative, though deeply flawed, provided ideological justification for interventionist policies, the expansion of surveillance states, and the militarization of foreign policy.
The events of 9/11 further entrenched this mindset, allowing governments to implement sweeping counterterrorism measures that disproportionately targeted Muslims. The invasion of Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and Western interventions in Libya and Syria were all framed as necessary battles in this supposed civilizational war. In reality, these interventions destabilized entire regions, creating the very extremism they claimed to be fighting.
Think Tanks and the Manufacture of Fear
While political leaders and mainstream media have played a significant role in reinforcing anti-Muslim narratives, think tanks such as the Henry Jackson Society and Policy Exchange have been instrumental in providing the intellectual framework for Islamophobic policies.
Henry Jackson Society: A Neoconservative Agenda
Founded in 2005, the Henry Jackson Society (HJS) is a neoconservative think tank that promotes aggressive foreign policies and strict domestic security measures. Figures like Douglas Murray have been central in pushing the idea that Muslim immigration poses an existential threat to Western values. His book, The Strange Death of Europe, argues that Europe is being “overrun” by Muslims who refuse to integrate—a claim that fuels far-right rhetoric and anti-immigration policies across the continent.
HJS has influenced key counterterrorism policies, including the Prevent program, by producing reports that disproportionately link Islam to extremism while ignoring far-right terrorism. Their 2016 report, Islamist Terrorism: Analysis of Offences and Attacks in the UK, has been cited by government officials to justify stricter surveillance laws, despite criticism from academics and human rights organizations for its selective use of data.
Policy Exchange: The Architects of Prevent
The Policy Exchange, another influential think tank, has played a major role in shaping counter-extremism policies in the UK. One of its most damaging reports, The Hijacking of British Islam, falsely claimed that British mosques were distributing extremist literature. Despite later revelations that the report contained fabricated evidence, it was used to justify increased surveillance of Muslim institutions.
Policy Exchange’s greatest influence has been on the Prevent strategy, which has led to thousands of Muslims being referred for so-called “deradicalization” programs based on vague and arbitrary criteria. This policy has turned Muslim communities into objects of suspicion, fostering alienation and eroding trust between Muslim citizens and the state.
By creating an atmosphere of fear, these think tanks not only distort public perceptions but also enable governments to erode civil liberties under the guise of national security.
The Reality: Muslims as Integral Members of Society
Despite the relentless negative portrayal, the reality is that Muslims are indispensable to Western societies. Beyond their historical contributions to science, medicine, philosophy, and the arts, Muslims today are vital contributors to social welfare, economic growth, and cultural enrichment.
- Charitable Giving: Studies show that Muslims are the most generous religious group in the UK in terms of charitable donations, significantly supporting both local and international causes.
- Civic Engagement: Contrary to the narrative that Muslims are insular, polling data consistently show that Muslims in the UK and the US have high levels of civic engagement and national pride.
- Contributions to Key Sectors: Muslim professionals play a crucial role in medicine, law, academia, and technology, driving innovation and public service.
- Interfaith Work: Many Muslim organizations actively engage in interfaith dialogue and community-building efforts, fostering harmony and mutual understanding.
Moving Forward: Building a Future of Cooperation and Respect
The misrepresentation of Islam in the West is not an accident—it is the result of deliberate policies, intellectual frameworks, and media narratives that serve political and economic interests. However, this does not mean the situation is unchangeable. There are concrete steps that can be taken to foster a more accurate and constructive understanding of Islam:
- Media Accountability: Journalists must challenge anti-Muslim narratives rather than reinforce them. Fact-checking and ethical reporting are essential in countering misinformation.
- Educational Reform: Schools and universities should incorporate comprehensive curriculums that acknowledge the contributions of Islamic civilization to global history.
- Political Advocacy: Muslim organizations and allies must actively engage in policymaking processes to ensure fair representation and challenge discriminatory laws.
- Community Outreach: Interfaith and intercultural dialogue should be promoted to build mutual understanding at the grassroots level.
- Challenging Think Tanks: Academics and activists must expose the flawed methodologies and biased agendas of organizations like HJS and Policy Exchange, holding them accountable for their role in shaping harmful policies.
The future of Islam and the West is not one of inevitable conflict. It is one of shared histories, common values, and intertwined destinies. By rejecting divisive narratives and embracing mutual respect, we can build societies that are stronger, more just, and more united. We are not your enemies—we are your neighbors, your colleagues, your doctors, your teachers, and your friends. The choice before us is clear: division or unity, fear or understanding, hostility or hope. The time to choose hope is now.
