ISLAMOPHOBIA IN WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA: A VIRTUAL ETHNOGRAPHY EXAMPLE

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Dalaylı F., Yel A. M.

Düşünce ve Toplum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol.5, no.1, pp.1-22, 2021 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 5 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Journal Name: Düşünce ve Toplum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi
  • Journal Indexes: Index Copernicus, Asos İndeks
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-22
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: No

Abstract

In this study, Islamophobia among Turks, a Muslim community, was investigated.

As in other areas, Islamophobia is becoming more evident in working environments. The

first signals of this situation started to be given in social media environments. With the

spread of the internet and interactive media, people have become sharing everything on

social media. Those who are exposed to Islamophobic behaviors in the working

environment also make various posts on social networks. However, similarly, anti-

Islamic posts are quite common even in Muslim societies. In this study, the Islamophobia

that employees are exposed to was evaluated within the framework of both the work

environment and social media. Virtual ethnography was used as a method in the research.

Interviews were held on Twitter which is a social media medium. Within the scope of the

study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 3 recruiters and 10 employees for three

months. According to the results of the study, Islamophobia is very common in the work

environment and it is only a small example reflected on social media. Also, the posts

revealing Islamophobia on social media do not prevent the existing problem. Because the

shares on social media are instantaneous, the effect is also instantaneous.

Keywords: Islamophobia, Workplace, Social media, Twitter, Employer