Unpacking Islamophobia: Why White Christian Nationalists Target Islam

In this episode of WISE Women with Daisy Khan, host Dr. Daisy Khan welcomes religious studies professor Todd Green to expose the calculated strategy behind white Christian nationalist attacks on Islam in America. Todd reveals the medieval origins of anti-Muslim sentiment, tracing modern Islamophobia back to European Christian kingdoms' political rivalries with Islamic empires centuries ago. Despite Muslims representing only 3% of the US population, discover why white Christian nationalists position them as existential threats to American identity and Christianity itself. The conversation uncovers the psychological mechanics of extremist thinking, including the universal human tendency toward tribalism and Us-versus-Them frameworks that fuel religious bigotry. Todd explains how these groups weaponize shallow theology and inherited stereotypes, recycling the same fear tactics previously used against Catholics, Jews, and other immigrant communities throughout American history. Learn why Muslims face presumptions of guilt that other religious groups escape, and explore actionable solutions including interfaith relationship-building and foreign policy reform that could reshape public perception and create lasting change. Where Muslim voices rise, bridges are built, and history’s unsung heroines reclaim their light. WISE Women with Daisy Khan gives voice to Muslims sharing their experiences with anti-Muslim bias, educates non-Muslims to become upstanders against discrimination, and spotlights extraordinary women throughout history whose contributions have been erased. We reclaim faith as a force for good while building bridges between East and West—transforming fear into understanding, one conversation at a time. In a world where misinformation silences too many voices, we break through the noise by creating space for authentic dialogue. Muslims share their experiences, grievances, and hope for a better future, turning pain into a powerful conversation that demands to be heard. Our episodes are designed to educate and empower non-Muslims to reject stereotyping and discrimination when they see it. We believe understanding begins with listening, so we challenge disinformation with knowledge and empathy, equipping people to become courageous upstanders. We revive the legacy of luminary women who shaped civilizations yet were erased from history's pages—a reminder that women have always been shapers of civilizations, despite attempts to erase their contributions. At its heart, WISE Women confronts the distortion and weaponization of religion for political gain, reclaiming faith as a force for justice, equality, and empowerment. This isn't just another podcast—it's a bridge between communities taught to fear each other, between the world as it is and the world as it could be. We're opening hearts and minds, building the understanding our divided world desperately needs. Welcome to WISE Women. Where wisdom meets courage, and voices become bridges. News [Source: CBS Evening News] A man sent a hateful message to a Muslim candidate. He responded with a call for help, article by Steve Hartman https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-man-sent-a-hateful-message-to-a-muslim-candidate-he-responded-with-a-call-to-help/ #WISEMuslimWomen #Islam #Islamawareness #Islameducation #Muslim #Women #WhiteChristianNationalist #WISEWomen #TruthAboutJihad #Islamophobia #AntiHate #JihadExplained #Islammisunderstood #StandUpToHate #Islamiceducation #AmericanMuslims #ReligiousFreedom #TruthMatters Connect with Dr Daisy Khan: Website: https://daisykhan.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdaisykhan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WISEWomenwithDaisyKhan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WISEwomenwithdaisykhan/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576656401275 Connect with Todd Green: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddhgreen/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/toddhgreen Professional Profile: https://www.interfaithamerica.org/people/todd-green/ (Interfaith America)