ISlamophobia: A comparison of perceived social distance of Muslim students and social distance of non-muslim students to İslam

In this study, it is aimed to compare the social distances of university students towards Muslims and Muslims perception of social distance of non-Muslims in America. For this purpose, Demographic Information Form, Freedom of Faith Information Form and Bogardus Social Distance Scale were applied to Muslim and non-Muslim university students who continue their education in New York, USA. Questions for Muslim and non-Muslim participants were expressed in different ways to understand the perception of Muslims and the perspective of non-Muslims. As a result of the research, the social distance perceived by Muslims from non-Muslims was found to be significantly higher than the social distance that non-Muslims actually showed. Keywords İslamophobia, social distance, social identity, social contact, freedom of belief, Muslim, non-Muslim