THE DYNAMICS OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND CANCEL CULTURE IN RELIGIOUS SECTARIAN DISCOURSE

Abstract

This study examines political correctness and incorrectness, as well as cancel culture attitudes, in relation to sectarian language on Arabic media since the Arab Spring in 2011. It focuses on expressions describing religious sects such as Sunni, Shiite, Salafist, Muslim Brotherhood, Jihadist, Alawite, Houthi, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Wahhabi; newly coined terms in Arab media reflecting hate speech and hostility; and the attitudes of Arab college students and instructors toward different religious sects. Data were collected from media sources and surveys of students and faculty to assess sectarian sentiments and levels of tolerance or hostility. Findings indicate widespread political incorrectness in both mainstream and social media, offending or discriminating against particular religious sects and reflecting societal discord and internal divisions. Survey results reveal prejudice, hatred, intolerance, and contempt toward opposed sects. Media content also demonstrates cancel culture practices, with members of certain sects—such as the Muslim Brotherhood—facing detention, estrangement, political bans, forced displacement, or migration to countries like Turkey, Qatar, and European nations. The study recommends strategies to eliminate political incorrectness and cancel culture attitudes, promote inclusive discourse, and prevent expressions or actions that marginalize or insult individuals belonging to specific religious sects