Abstract
American and European societies, particularly since the events of September 11, 2001, have struggled with the recurrent problem of Islamophobia, which continues to be expressed in waves of controversial legislative proposals, public anger over the construction of Muslim religious edifices, and outbreaks of violence. In his book The Fear of Islam: An Introduction to Islamophobia in the West (Fortress Press, 2015), Todd Green offers a sophisticated but accessible introduction to the historical roots and contemporary forms of anxiety regarding Islam within the Western world. Hans Gustafson will interview Dr. Green about the main themes in his book, including the rise of political Islamophobia, the depiction of Muslims in the media, and the importance of fighting anti-Muslim prejudice.
Todd Green is associate professor of religion at Luther College Decorah, Iowa, where he teaches courses on European and American religious history as well as interfaith dialogue. During the 2016-2017 academic year he will serve as a Franklin Fellow with the U. S. State Department, advising the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs on Islam, Islamophobia, and interfaith dialogue in Europe. Dr. Green is the past co-chair of the Religion in Europe Group of the American Academy of Religion and he currently serves on the editorial board for the journal Religions. The author of The Fear of Islam: An Introduction to Islamophobia in the West and the editor of Islam, Immigration, and Identity, he regularly blogs for The Huffington Post and has been interviewed by a variety of media outlets, including CNN, NPR, Al Jazeera, France 24, and Reuters. His views on Islamophobia have been cited by organizations such as the Council on Foreign Relations, the Center for American Progress, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Hans Gustafson is associate director of the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the departments of theology at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University and the University of St. Thomas. He regularly teaches courses on interreligious studies and dialogue, world religions, and approaches to other religions. Dr. Gustafson earned a B.A. in philosophy and theology from Boston College, an M.A. in philosophy from Claremont Graduate University, an M.A. in theology from the Universityof St. Thomas, and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Claremont Graduate University. His recent publications include Finding All Things in God: Pansacramentalism and Doing Theology Interreligiously (Pickwick, 2015) and "Descandalizing Multiple Religious Identity with Help from Nicholas Black Elk and His Spirituality: An Exercise in Interreligious Learning,” forthcoming in the Journal of Ecumenical Studies.
Sponsored by the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning in collaboration with the Muslim-Christian Dialogue Center at the University of St. Thomas
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