The Muslim, State and Mind
Psychology in Times of Islamophobia
"This is one of the most important books to come out on Islamophobia in years." - Dr Sahar Ghumkhor, University of Melbourne
Mental health is positioned as the cure-all for society’s discontents, from pandemics to terrorism. But psychology and psychiatry are not apolitical, and neither are Muslims. This book unpacks where the politics of the psy-disciplines and the politics of Muslims overlaps, demonstrating how psychological theories and practices serve State interests and perpetuate inequality—especially racism and Islamophobia. Viewing the psy-disciplines from the margins, this book illustrates how these necessarily serve the State in the production of loyal, low-risk and productive citizens, offering a modern discussion of three paradigms underlying the psy-disciplines: neoliberalism, security and the politics of mental health.
Tarek Younis is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Middlesex University.
The Social Science for Social Justice series challenges the Ivory Tower of academia, providing a platform for academics, journalists, and activists of color to respond to pressing social issues.
Supplements
In this episode of the Surviving Society Podcast, we hear from Tarek Younis on his own experiences of challenging islamophobia in the discipline of psychology. We explore the ongoing consequences of the connection between racism, islamophobia and mental health for Muslims in contemporary society.
