ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to understand Islamophobia in the context of Malaysia by examining the historical and contemporary structures of power that has enabled the rise of Islamophobia, the factors that have rendered Islamophobia increasingly normalized, as well as the manifestations of Islamophobia in Malaysia. The chapter argues that Islamophobia in the Malaysian context needs to be understood from the lens of racism. Previously held cultural and racial biases against the Malay–Muslim majority populace in Malaysia has now translated to bias against the Islamic faith. The rise of political Islam in Malaysia has encroached on the lives of many non-Muslims in the country resulting in a vehement Islamophobic counter reaction.
