Uncovering Islamophobic Victimisation

Abstract

In a post-9/11 climate, veiled Muslim women face an increased risk of abuse and hostility by virtue of the visibility of their Muslim identity. This chapter examines the nature of Islamophobic victimisation and illustrates the different forms of abuse that veiled Muslim women experience in public. It reveals the regularity with which actual and potential victims become repeat targets of verbal and physical attacks. The chapter also uncovers ‘invisible’ forms of Islamophobic victimisation including persistent staring and stalking which are rarely recognised or acknowledged as such by victims. Crucially, recognising Islamophobic victimisation as a process signifies that it is ‘part and parcel’ of veiled Muslim women’s everyday life, and this reinforces the sense of constant risk for actual and potential victims. Although it is difficult to quantify this victimisation, the chapter identifies how commonplace these experiences are and highlights the relevance of factors such as space in terms of rendering Muslim women more or less vulnerable.