Document Type : Original Article
Author
Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj. Iran
10.22034/scart.2025.143123.1690
Abstract
Hollywood cinema, as one of the most influential media globally, plays a significant role in reproducing and consolidating dominant discourses. One such discourse is Islamophobia, which can be analyzed within the framework of Edward Said's Orientalism theory. Said's theory suggests that the West has historically constructed the East, particularly the Islamic world, as the "Other" to assert its cultural and ideological dominance. This study, using Fairclough's critical discourse analysis method, examines the representations of Islamophobia in several Hollywood films, illustrating how this medium conveys a negative image of Muslims through narrative, characterization, symbols, and signs. The findings indicate that Hollywood cinema, by emphasizing stereotypes such as violence, religious extremism, and the association of Islam with terrorism, aligns with the reinforcement of Western hegemonic discourses. These films often portray Muslims as violent, backward, and a threat to Western values, thus perpetuating negative perceptions. The analysis of selected films reveals that these representations are designed purposefully, not only at the narrative level but also in the choice of sound, music, and even the timing of scenes to enhance the negative portrayal. This trend has intensified, especially after the events of September 11, 2001, and has impacted Western cultural and media policies. The present study demonstrates that Hollywood cinema, as a tool of soft power, serves to solidify Western hegemony and construct the concept of the "Other" in relation to Muslims, shaping public opinion and reinforcing societal prejudices against Islam and its followers.
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