The image of Arabs in the West roots of past and appearances of present

Abstract

The West has established a stereotyped image of Arabs and Islam during a complex process extending deep into history. Religious, political, economic, cultural and media factors have contributed to forming this image. The latter reflects a complex combination of interests, opinions, judgments and perceptions, which the media have been used to promote, despite the laws of these countries prohibiting discrimination in presenting individuals and groups with some kind of prejudice based on age, gender, race, nationality or religion. From Orientalism and science to media and art, they are all roots and sources that establish a deep understanding of the distorted image appearances of Arabs and Muslims in the conscious and unconscious minds of Western society.