Interrogating Antipodean Angst: New Zealand's Non-Muslim Majority Talk About Muslims

Eileen Ash; Ella Kahu; Keith Tuffin

doi:10.1080/13602004.2020.1847781

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Interrogating Antipodean Angst: New Zealand's Non-Muslim Majority Talk About Muslims

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Interrogating Antipodean Angst: New Zealand's Non-Muslim Majority Talk About Muslims

Eileen Ash, Ella Kahu and Keith Tuffin

Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, Vol.40(4), pp.559-575

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13602004.2020.1847781

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Abstract

New Zealand

Islam

non-Muslim

prejudice

antipodean angst

talk

Muslim

This study addresses Douglas Pratt's 2010 claim that New Zealand's non-Muslim majority experience "angst" in relation to a growing Muslim population. Based on interviews with non-Muslim New Zealanders we identified two key discourses. Firstly, participants constructed New Zealand as a safe haven and as tolerant and accepting of different religions and cultures. However, this tolerance and acceptance was conditional on Muslim assimilation and on participants' sense of security and safety. Secondly, in constructing Muslims, gender-based oppression was created as problematic. Further, Muslims were constructed as not all terrorists, suggesting a default link between Islam and terrorism. Media was constructed as deliberately overplaying this link. Overall, angst about the increasing numbers of Muslims in New Zealand society was not identified. However, the core underlying stance was that, to be accepted, those with different social norms should assimilate and not threaten current cultural norms. Covert racism was highlighted in this study.

Details

Title: Interrogating Antipodean Angst: New Zealand's Non-Muslim Majority Talk About Muslims
Authors: Eileen Ash (Author)
Ella Kahu (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
Keith Tuffin (Author) - Massey University
Publication details: Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, Vol.40(4), pp.559-575
Publisher: Routledge
DOI: 10.1080/13602004.2020.1847781
ISSN: 1469-9591
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Social Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99495708902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Religion

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