Islamophobic Rhetoric in Election Campaigns: An Analysis of Party Programs and Media Discourses in Germany

Authors : Mustafa Temel, Burak Somuncu

Pages : 95-109

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Publication Date : 2025-05-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study examines the treatment of Islam and Muslims in political election processes in Western countries. The research question is how Islamophobic discourses are framed in political rhetoric and how they influence social life by using the example of the German federal election as an example. The topic focuses on how Islamophobia is nurtured by historical, political and theological factors and how it becomes visible in the election campaign. The subject of the study is the official programs and social media content of political parties such as AfD, CDU, CSU, and FDP in Germany. The methodology includes a mixed approach with content analysis and critical method analysis. The assumption is that political language is effective in spreading and legitimizing Islamophobic attitudes. The results of the study show that discourses directly directed against Islam and Muslims are widespread and visible at a societal level in election campaigns.
Keywords : İslamofobi, İslamofobik Retorik, AfD, CDU, CSU, FDP

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