Islamophobia and Free Speech - Paperback

by Steven Greer (Author)

Tackling prejudice, hatred, and discrimination, whatever the substance or source, is both laudable and necessary. Yet in many places, this noble cause has spawned a much less worthy corollary - the widely-held assumption that little, if any, criticism of Muslims or Islam should be permitted. In recent years, dozens of high-profile cases have rested upon this false premise. Several of those wrongly accused have been murdered or maimed. Others have been forced into hiding. Vilification, cancellation, ostracism, and the shredding of careers and reputations have been the experience of others. And rather than leaping to their defense, too often public institutions have instead censured the victims. A blanket of intimidated self-censorship has further stifled lawful and legitimate debate. In Islamophobia and Free Speech, cancel culture survivor and internationally renowned human rights scholar Steven Greer surveys the current trend in a trailblazing study which also considers the historical debate about the Islamic faith, the essentials of its mainstream interpretation, and the principal dissenting Muslim perspectives. Greer also examines relevant legal and human rights frameworks and the British government's latest proposals about how to address "anti-Muslim hostility". Presenting a devastating critique of the campaign against "Islamophobic expression", Islamophobia and Free Speech should be required reading for everyone concerned about increasing intolerance and preventing the erosion of lawful expression in Britain and elsewhere.

Author Biography

Steven Greer is Emeritus Professor at the University of Bristol Law School and Research Director at the Oxford Institute for British Islam. He studied law at the University of Oxford, sociology at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and holds a PhD in law from the Queen's University of Belfast. In a career spanning nearly 40 years, he has taught and delivered numerous papers throughout the UK and abroad, including in China and at Harvard Law School. He has published widely, particularly in the fields of criminal justice, human rights, and law and terrorism. Two of his books were shortlisted for prestigious prizes. He has also acted as consultant/advisor to various organizations, written for national and regional newspapers in the UK and Ireland, and appeared on numerous radio and TV stations.