| Popis: |
Owing to a racialized environment where Islam is a “chronic object of discussion and debate”, this dissertation unpacks Muslims’ political participation from an agential perspective. The several empirical studies aim to answer the following question: How and why do Muslims participate in an environment that perceives Muslims as the dangerous Other? To study how and why Muslims participate in politics in racialized environments in a comprehensive way, this dissertation focused on (1) Muslims’ electoral choices on the party and candidate level and explanations of these choices in a flexible proportional list system, (2) Muslims’ non-institutionalized participation and its drivers and (3) Muslims’ hidden, everyday resistance practices. Moreover, this dissertation paid attention to the intersecting power dynamics (i.e., gender, religiosity, ethnicity) affecting the political engagement of Muslims in Belgium. All in all, this dissertation showed how Muslims exert their agency in the political realm through various forms of active engagement, despite facing multiple obstacles. Focusing on Muslims’ perspectives, this dissertation adds to the literature that does not center what policymakers and public opinion seem to deem important. The several empirical studies rebut widespread stereotypes and misconceptions of Muslims that could inform policies, and create awareness of the lack of social justice and equality in our society. |
