Abstract

The objective of this project is to investigate the tendentious dichotomization between so-called 'conservatives', 'radicals' or 'Islamists' and non-practicing Muslims who serve as an examplification for so-called 'moderate' Muslim behavior. Using qualitaitive content analysis, the study is focusing on how news reports in Western media are suggesting constitutional acts for practicing Muslims such as ritual prayer and fasting as possible indications for radicalization processes as well as culturally coined categories such as the growing of beards or wearing of traditional clothes as categories for integration.