Call for Papers: Islamophobia – Structural Roots and Prophetic Response
Published: February 18, 2025 • Updated: February 19, 2025
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
We invite submissions that critically examine the multifaceted phenomenon of Islamophobia, understood as hostility toward Islam and/or Muslims rooted in prejudice. This hostility, distinct from reasoned critique, inquiry, or debate, has been increasingly scrutinized in academic scholarship, which has illuminated its structural foundations in institutional disinformation, racism, propaganda, and the spread of misinformation.
While these structural analyses are essential, a crucial dimension remains underexplored: Islamic theological and spiritual perspectives. This call seeks to bridge that gap by welcoming scholarship that not only investigates the systemic roots of Islamophobia but also accounts for human agency, ethical responsibility, and the enduring universality of Islam’s message.
We particularly encourage contributions that explore:
- Islamophobic ideologies: Critical studies of movements such as the Christian Right, Zionism, and Hindutva that fund and propagate Islamophobia, with a focus on Islamic intellectual and theological responses. Investigations of the term “Islamophobia” as an analytical category.
- Internal challenges: Analysis of how internal divisions—such as sectarianism, racism, ethnocentrism, classism, and the role of compromised elites—exacerbate Islamophobia or target specific Muslim groups.
- Comparative analyses: Comparisons and contrasts of Islamophobia with similar or related phenomena such as anti-Semitism, racism, and anti-immigrant nativism, including their origins, manifestations, impacts, and historical responses.
- Ethical and religious imperatives: The obligations of Muslims toward fellow believers—through solidarity, support, and resilience—and toward those who, often unknowingly, consume and perpetuate Islamophobic narratives.
- Prophetic guidance: How Muslims can balance vigilance and proactive action against hostility with prophetic virtues such as compassion, patience, and generosity.
- Practical responses: Strategies at both the individual and communal levels to counter Islamophobia through informed analysis, empirical research, personal moral cultivation, and collective engagement.
By integrating theological insights with social analysis, this call seeks to inspire scholarship that educates, empowers, and offers a holistic response to Islamophobia—one that is intellectually rigorous, spiritually grounded, and practically impactful.
We have compiled a literature review on Islamophobia research for your reference. Please use this resource to inform your work and identify gaps that your research can address.
We invite more rigorous scholarly contributions for Hashiya—our forthcoming online and print research journal—catering to a specialized academic audience. For further details, please contact our Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Ovamir Anjum, at [email protected].
If you are interested in contributing, please send us an abstract and select bibliography at the link below; outlines are also welcome. Upon acceptance and publication, you will receive an honorarium commensurate with the length and rigor of your submission. Additionally, to streamline our editorial process, successful authors who submit their preliminary materials by April 7, 2025 will receive an extra $100.
Please see our review criteria for successful submissions below.
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Understanding the Yaqeen Peer Review Process
At Yaqeen, we are committed to publishing high-quality research that aligns with our mission to Dismantle Doubts, Nurture Conviction, and Inspire Contribution. To ensure each submission meets our standards and serves our community effectively, we employ a comprehensive peer review process. Below are the key criteria we consider when evaluating your paper.
| Alignment with Yaqeen’s Goals |
| We assess whether your research aligns with our core priorities. Your work should contribute to dismantling doubts, nurturing conviction, or inspiring positive action within the Muslim community and beyond. |
| Value to Readers |
| We seek papers that offer new insights, are relevant and accessible, and provide value to our audience. If your research offers advice or solutions, they should be specific, insightful, and actionable. Practical recommendations that can genuinely benefit readers are highly valued. |
| Analytical Rigor |
| Your arguments should be well-structured and supported by robust evidence. We look for clear methodologies, sound reasoning, and thorough consideration of potential counter-arguments, ensuring your conclusions are logically derived and free from major flaws. |
| Academic Integrity |
| Upholding the highest standards of academic honesty is crucial. Ensure that all sources are properly cited, ideas are accurately represented, and that you engage with existing scholarship fairly and ethically. |
| Engagement with Scripture and Scholarship |
| Proper and accurate use of Qur’anic verses and hadith is essential. Additionally, engaging with authoritative Sunni scholarship and accurately representing various schools of thought enriches your paper’s credibility and depth. |
| Clarity and Organization |
| A well-organized paper with a clear flow makes your research accessible and engaging. Proper structure, coherent paragraphs, and appropriate use of headings enhance readability and comprehension. |
| Appropriate Tone and Sensitivity |
| Maintain a respectful tone, especially when addressing sensitive or controversial topics. Your writing should inspire confidence and respect, fostering a positive connection with readers. |
| Language and Accessibility |
| Use clear and precise language, avoiding unnecessary jargon. Your paper should be accessible to a broad audience, ensuring that complex ideas are communicated effectively. |
We encourage continuous improvement. Our reviewers will provide constructive feedback to help you enhance your work further, whether through expanding certain sections, refining arguments, or considering additional resources.
By adhering to these criteria, you can ensure that your research not only meets Yaqeen’s standards but also makes a meaningful impact on our readers. We look forward to your contributions and to supporting the growth of insightful and impactful scholarship within our community.
