UNITED network organisation Hope Not Hate has published a new report on the far-right “Counter-Jihad” movement. The Counter-Jihad Movement: Anti-Muslim hatred from the margins to the mainstream delves deep into the roots of the issue, and profiles key figures from the movement in Europe, North America and Australia.
The 180-page report describes how islamophobic “Counter-Jihad” views and arguments have gone from being the preserve of obscure neofascist groups, to being openly expressed by mainstream political parties and organisations. The report shows how such views are even driving policy decisions in some European countries, and have been central to candidates’ campaigns in the contest for the 2016 Republican Party presidential nomination in the United States.
The report outlines the core beliefs of the movement – according to the report: “The core belief behind Counter-Jihadism is the notion that jihadist terrorism is a natural consequence of the Qu’ran, that Islam is a supremacist religion seeking to dominate the world, and the incompatibility of Islam with ‘the West’.” The report also details key conspiracy theories spread by adherents to the movement, and the way the movement links its views and seeks to profit from current events such as the European refugee crisis and the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris.
The report features in-depth profiles outlining high-profile groups and key individuals from the movement in over 20 countries. The European countries profiled are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, while the report also features profiles of the United States, Canada, Australia and Israel.
The report is part of ongoing project that will also include a regular e-newsletter highlighting the latest trends in the movement, a community organising programme to support groups dealing with organised anti-Muslim hatred, and further in-depth reports.
Click here to read the exclusive report in full.