Theoretical analysis of the rise of Islamophobia in Europe in the framework of securitization theory

In this study, the concept of Islamophobia, which gained popularity with the September 11 terrorist attacks, will be analyzed, and the historical processes it has gone through and the events that have contributed to its effectiveness will be examined. Within this scope, the study will examine the perceptions of threats created against Islam and Muslims, the temporal variability of Islamophobia as a threat, and the reasons behind this change. The study will also examine the concept of Islamophobia within a European context, focusing on the factors that fuel Islamophobia in Europe, including the rise of far-right movements and the role of media. Finally, the analysis of Islamophobia in terms of security, which will constitute the basic framework of the study, will be evaluated considering the Copenhagen School's securitization theory. Islamophobia has been adopted by Europe, resulting in discriminatory and othering practices against Muslims. Islam has been characterized by extremism and linked to terrorism. To perceive Islam and Muslims as security threats, particularly far-right parties and the media have created agenda by promoting anti-immigrant and racist policies, thereby convincing the receptive audience, namely Europe. The fundamental problem of the thesis is to explain, through events and concepts, how the discourses of threat against European society, the social welfare system, culture, values, and norms are constructed through discourse by securitizing actors rather than a real threat. This thesis aims to argue that the prevalence of Islamophobia in Europe has increased through securitization, but also argues that the security threat elements created through the speech act method are claimed for all Muslims and do not constitute a real threat.