Why Is Islam Often Made a Scapegoat?

 

Why Is Islam Often Made a Scapegoat?

Muslim man singled out under spotlight while shadowy crowd points fingers, negative propaganda in background.


Introduction

I often ask myself: why is it that whenever there is an issue of terror, violence, or fanaticism, the name of Islam almost always comes up? As if this one religion bears collective responsibility for the mistakes of a few. For me, this question is crucial, especially today when Islam often makes headlines unfortunately, with negative narratives.
(Said, Covering Islam, 1981)

Historical Stigma

Looking back, the negative perception of Islam is nothing new. Since the Crusades, the Western world has often positioned Islam as “the other” a common enemy to justify fear and legitimize expansion. Edward Said in Orientalism (1978) explained how the image of the East (Islam) was deliberately constructed for colonial interests.

I believe this is the root of why Islam is still targeted today. Modern media merely continues this old pattern framing the Muslim world as a hotbed of global threats.
(Said, Orientalism, 1978)

Role of Western Media

In my observation, the media plays a big role. Notice how when a terrorist is Muslim, the term “Islamic terrorist” always appears. But when the perpetrator is non-Muslim, the narrative shifts to “lone wolf,” “mentally ill,” or “domestic problem.”
(Poole, Reporting Islam, 2002)

This creates a framing bias. An act by a single Muslim is generalized to the entire community, while a non-Muslim’s act is seen as personal. As a result, Islam always appears linked to violence, even though global statistics show that most violence actually comes from state actors or non-religious groups.
(Juergensmeyer, Terror in the Mind of God, 2000)

Politics of Fear

In my opinion, Islam is often made a scapegoat because of political interests too. After the Cold War ended, the West lost its “common enemy.” Islam emerged as a new ideological enemy easily sold to the public to justify foreign policies.
(Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 2012)

Anti-Islam rhetoric has been used to justify wars in the Middle East, massive surveillance, and strict immigration policies. For certain politicians, stoking public fear with the image of “radical Islam” is an effective way to win votes. That’s why the negative narrative rarely goes away.

Internal Mistakes

Of course, I’m not blind. As a Muslim, I know that some groups have fallen into hardline preaching, even supporting violence. This is a loophole used to strengthen negative stereotypes.
(Roy, Globalized Islam, 2004)

The problem is, these extremists are a minority, but their actions are huge. Media prefers covering their loud voices rather than the peaceful, tolerant face of Islam. In reality, 99% of Muslims just want to live peacefully, work, raise families, and contribute to society.

Crisis of Representation

I feel the Islamic world also has homework in building a positive representation. We rarely have effective global spokespeople. Muslim academics often lose the stage to Western politicians or anti-Islam pundits in mainstream media.
(Ramadan, Western Muslims and the Future of Islam, 2004)

Many Islamic institutions are too busy with internal conflicts instead of developing a strong communication strategy. As a result, moderate voices are drowned out, while radical ones go viral.

Long-Term Effects

This stigma has real consequences. Islamophobia has spread in many Western countries. Muslims often become victims of discrimination, excessive surveillance, and even racial violence. Muslim children in the diaspora grow up fearing being labeled “dangerous” just because of their faith.
(Cesari, Why the West Fears Islam, 2013)

Ironically, the narrative of Islam as a threat fuels a cycle of revenge. An angry generation feels oppressed and some fall into radical ideology. This is a vicious cycle that keeps repeating.

How Should We Respond?

For me, the first step is introspection. Muslims must bravely criticize internal actors who damage the religion’s image. We need to build media literacy so we don’t react emotionally to every negative headline.
(Esposito, What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, 2011)

Second, we need to create a counter-narrative. Through films, books, social media, and communities — show Islam as friendly, scholarly, and peaceful. Young Muslims must be trained as journalists, content creators, cultural diplomats. We can’t just curse Western media without building our own narrative channels.

Personal Reflection

As a Muslim writer, I try to stay neutral. I don’t justify the stigma, but I don’t close my eyes to our internal faults either. I believe Islam’s image won’t change if Muslims remain passive. The world will not respect Islam if its followers don’t show the face of mercy.

The question “Why is Islam often made a scapegoat?” has long, complicated, and historical answers. But for me, the answer is also: because we have not truly united to correct our own image.

Lokasi: GWG8+4P Blodgett Mills, NY, Amerika Serikat

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