An obscure documentary titled "The Great American Conflict" is emerging as a significant, albeit controversial, influence in US politics, particularly within conservative circles in Texas. The 75-minute film, produced by Iran Alive Ministries with the stated goal of revealing the "true Islam" and warning America, has been shown at gatherings of local Republicans and conservative activists. Its release and subsequent screenings coincide with a notable rise in Islamophobic rhetoric and policy proposals aimed at activating the Republican base, candidates, and party leaders.
The documentary's themes reflect a broader trend on the American right, blending Islamophobia with Christian nationalist sentiment. Produced by an organization focused on converting Iran to Christianity, the film argues that Islam is inherently violent, incompatible with the American Constitution, and engaged in an effort to infiltrate American politics to replace a "Judeo-Christian" America. It presents testimonials from evangelical Christians and former Muslims who converted to Christianity, alongside selectively edited clips of Muslim prayers, veiled women, and purported inflammatory comments by Muslim speakers.
This resurgence of Islamophobia is occurring against a backdrop of increased antisemitism and heightened Muslim visibility in politics, including the elections of Zohran Mamdani in New York City and Abdul El-Sayed's Senate campaign in Michigan. According to Nathan Lean, a researcher and author of "The Islamophobia Industry," anti-Muslim sentiment has become more mainstream, reaching a point where "Islamophobia has passed the dinner table test." Lean points to institutionalization of this prejudice, citing the Sharia-Free America Caucus in Congress and efforts within the Texas GOP to officially oppose "sharia" law.
"The Great American Conflict" draws on figures like Brigitte Gabriel, founder of ACT for America, an anti-Islamic extremism group from the early 2000s, suggesting a link to earlier waves of Islamophobia. However, the current iteration is characterized by its increasing mainstream political presence. Speakers in the film, such as Pastor Shahram Hadian, argue that Western societies are at a critical decision point, facing the decline of Christian values and a perceived demographic shift fueled by Muslim families. They highlight demographic changes in areas like Michigan and Texas and focus on projects like a mosque-centered housing development in East Plano, Texas, as evidence of this perceived encroachment.
Some speakers frame Islam not as a religion but as a political ideology seeking to undermine American institutions. They allege a coordinated strategy to "infiltrate" and "dominate the West," referencing groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and accusing politicians such as Zohran Mamdani, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib of prioritizing foreign Islamic identities over American ones. This is contrasted with an idealized vision of a "Judeo-Christian" America.
While Iran Alive Ministries' primary focus appears to be Christian evangelism in Iran, its involvement with "The Great American Conflict" aligns with a faction of the anti-Muslim movement composed of evangelical Christians. Lean suggests that the group's mission to create a Christian world may lead them to view Muslims as a significant threat.
The momentum behind these sentiments is expected to grow as the midterm elections approach. Online discourse, particularly around areas with significant Muslim populations like Dearborn, Michigan, shows a strong engagement from right-leaning accounts. A survey by Magnitude Media indicated that over the past six months, a substantial majority of posts containing Islamophobic language originated from right-leaning sources. The film's use in official Republican events in Texas suggests a strategic acknowledgment of the political utility of such messaging.
Experts like Lean express concern that this rhetoric, framing the issue as a conflict for survival, could lead to increasingly extreme responses. The integration of these narratives into political campaigns signals a worrying trajectory for discourse surrounding Islam and Muslims in the United States.