Digital War Against Islam: U.S. Muslim Scholar Warns of Rising Cyber Islamophobia and Calls for Strategic Response

Digital War Against Islam: U.S. Muslim Scholar Warns of Rising Cyber Islamophobia and Calls for Strategic Response
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Waseem Khan, an American Muslim researcher, has sounded the alarm over what he describes as a “hidden digital war” against Islam, urging Muslims to adopt smarter strategies to counter online distortions of their faith, Shia Waves Persian reported. His analysis, published by Vokal, examines the role of major digital platforms in amplifying anti-Islamic narratives and spreading misinformation.

According to Khan, platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok have increasingly become breeding grounds for negative stereotypes about Muslims. Content that mocks hijab or misrepresents Sharia law is often circulated under the guise of “entertainment” or “social critique,” subtly fueling Islamophobia.

Khan further highlights the involvement of research centers, lobbying groups, and political regimes that actively promote diluted versions of Islam—stripping away concepts such as jihad, hijab, and Sharia in an attempt to reshape religious identity. He also points to the double standards in Western narratives: extremist violence by militant Sunni groups is often framed as “Islamic terrorism,” while attacks on Muslims and mosques are downplayed or attributed to mental illness.

The study stresses that current Muslim responses to digital Islamophobia are largely emotional, short-lived, and lacking in strategy. Instead, Khan calls for a systematic, evidence-based digital engagement where Muslims present accurate narratives and challenge distortions using the same technological tools.

“The real danger,” Khan warns, “lies not only in the attacks themselves but in the absence of an effective Islamic strategy to counter this digital onslaught.”

His research, published by Vokal, offers a framework for understanding the growing challenge of cyber Islamophobia and underscores the urgent need for Muslims worldwide to develop coordinated, intelligent, and media-savvy responses.