Populism and Religion
Résumé
Nadia Marzouki explores the links between populism and religion. She explains how right-wing populism in Europe is 'hijacking' religion to protect a common identity and culture rather than a faith or belief. Indeed, populist leaders use religion as a tool to define who belongs or does not belong in a political community, and Marzouki explains that right-wing populist parties have increasingly resorted to a selective religious rhetoric to give more authority to their exclusionary definition of the nation. Moreover, she explains that faith-based groups across the United States use the scriptures and religious values to mobilise around the rights of undocumented immigrants, the environment and LGBQTI rights. Finally, Marzouki shows how the mainstreamisation of Islamophobic arguments had profound effects on Muslims' lives.