“Decolonization in Popular Culture: From Medieval Monsters to Modern Fanatics” with Anas Al-Sheikh Ali

As part of Institute Social’s Global Reflections series, Dr. Anas Al-Sheikh Ali, a director at the Washington-based International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), was hosted on December 8. In his talk titled Decolonization in Popular Culture: From Medieval Monsters to Modern Fanatics, Ali examined how Western popular culture has historically constructed narratives portraying Muslims—and especially Turks—as “the Other.”

During the discussion, Ali emphasized that the roots of modern prejudices are tied to cultural images that have been reproduced over centuries through art, literature, and media. He explained that medieval demonizing depictions of monsters gradually evolved into figures portraying Muslims as “fanatical” or “savage Easterners” in theatrical texts, poetry, popular novels, and cinema. Ali also highlighted the role of visual arts, citing works ranging from the Greek Slave sculpture to paintings from the Napoleonic era, which depicted Muslim societies as “defeated,” “controlled,” or as subjects in need of civilizing. In theater and poetry, productions spanning from Lord Byron to adaptations of Bluebeard further reinforced anti-Turkish representations.

He also noted that modern popular novels and Hollywood films have played a key role in spreading these perceptions globally. Referring to the work of Jack Shaheen, he pointed out that the consistent portrayal of Muslims as negative characters in cinema remains one of the most effective tools for deepening cultural prejudice. He also argued that culture has been weaponized as a form of “soft power” from the Cold War to the present, with modern media and digital platforms becoming the most visible arenas for this propaganda.

The talk provided an important platform for discussion, reminding participants that popular culture is not merely a space for entertainment, but a decisive force in shaping international politics and social perceptions.