Islamophobia is the grammar of world order: Prof Salman Sayyid

“The genocide that’s ongoing is not an interruption of the argument that I made about Islamophobia being the grammar of world [order], but in fact, it’s a demonstration of that,” Prof Salman Sayyid tells Maktoob in an hour-long exclusive interview.

Salman Sayyid, a scholar of Islamophobia, argues that the term Islamophobia is not simply a matter of semantics, but rather a powerful concept that shapes how people understand and interact with the world. He also argues that Islamophobia is not simply a localized phenomenon but rather a global one that has become increasingly widespread and influential in the post-colonial world order.

Sayyid highlights that Islamophobia is not simply a matter of individual prejudice or passionate hatred. Instead, it operates as a deeply ingrained “grammar of the world order,” shaping institutions, policies, and social practices.

The professor of social theory & decolonial thought at the University of Leeds emphasizes the need to move beyond simply reacting to Islamophobia and develop strategic literacy, recognizing that the problem lies not only in individuals but also in the structures of power that perpetuate it. He calls for a deeper understanding of history and the formation of a Muslim agency that can effectively counter the forces of Islamophobia and create a more just and equitable world.