The United States: A New Internal Enemy

What a regression in 15 months! On June 4, 2009, in his famous speech in Cairo, Obama set out to restore the extremely damaged relationship between the U.S. and the Islamic world. The new president stated, “So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace.” He lauded “a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive.” His words were met with a chorus of praise from Muslim countries like the United States. Only professed jihadists and the less audible American anti-Islamic groups vehemently dismissed his speech.

The tables have turned very quickly. At the beginning of the summer, an extensive investigation by the Pew Global Attitudes Project into Muslims in Islamic countries and those living in the West revealed that “the modest level of confidence found (in Obama and his politics) in 2009 had notably declined.” The announcement of one unknown and deranged priest that he planned to burn a Quran on September 11 automatically incited anti-American hatred in many Muslim countries around the world.

Obama cannot do anything about it, and meanwhile, those who believe Islam to be an illegitimate faith in the U.S. threaten to gain ground each day. The phenomenon is accompanied by a sudden rise in public hatred toward Muslims (which has increased from 0.8 percent to 1.4 percent of the population). The craziest beliefs circulate among ever-widening circles: the “masked” Muslim, Obama secretly preparing to establish the Sharia in his country … With the general elections approaching on Nov. 4, the Republican opposition avoids publicly denouncing racist ideas, which serves tacitly to legitimize their expression. Republicans used the same tactic during the political campaign against a Muslim community center being built close to Ground Zero.

The United States has always been known for its raging outbursts against the ”internal enemy,” despite claiming to be a model for continued integration of immigrants, the cornerstone upon which the nation was built. Even beyond African Americans and Native American Indians, this enemy often wears the face of the last immigrant group to date. Or minority groups such as Jews, Mormons, Catholics and Communists … Against whom, a few months ago, conservative politicians launched an anti-immigration campaign that was unsuccessful this time. However, a well-known sector of American opinion seems more receptive towards Islamophobia.

France is in no position to lecture others whilst it redefines its identity, has “quotas for deportations” of illegal immigrants and hunts the Romani. One fact remains: in a time of acute socio-economic crisis, two very different Republican models can generate similar forms of manipulation regarding fear of the internal enemy. To their disgrace.