Riyaz, Aniqa Akrami Mohamed2026-04-182026-04-182022https://repository.iou.edu.gm/handle/123456789/572This research seeks to explore the impact and influence that representations and depictions of Muslims in mass media — including but not limited to the news media, film industry, and social media — has on global Muslims in general, and on Indian Muslims in particular. The research argues that currently there exists overwhelmingly greater negative representations of Muslims in the mass media, and attempts to investigate the reasons behind negative representations of Muslims in both global and Indian mass media networks and platforms. The research also attempts to analyze the impact of themes like capitalism and secularism present in the media upon Muslim religious behaviors. Presently, there exist studies on the negative presentation of Muslims in mainstream media and on the existence of the above-mentioned themes in commercial media, but few studies are available on how those representations impact Muslims and their religious behaviors, and even fewer studies have been made on the effects that these portrayals have over the religious beliefs, practices, and behaviors of Indian Muslims. Using the mixed research methodology, this thesis uses extant research design as the primary source of data and uses the results of a survey of 207 respondents who are either Indian Muslims or deeply acquainted with Indian Muslims as a secondary source for supplementing the understanding gained from the qualitative method. The findings of the survey reveal that there exists impact of media representations of aforementioned themes on Muslim religious behaviors that affects Muslim spirituality, social identities, and the very lives of Muslims as well. The researcher hopes that these findings will contribute towards the understanding of how the media works, who owns or controls most of the media, what are the agendas behind the representations and narratives of the media, how this impacts Muslims and their religious behaviors, and what can be done to undo the negative effects of media on Muslims. Keywords: Minority Muslims, Media Representation, Impact, Muslim Religious Behaviours, Islamophobia Declarations and Statements The researcher declares that this work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not being concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. The researcher also declares that this thesis is the result of her own investigations, except where otherwise stated. Abstract 2 Declarations and Statements 3 Abstract 2 Declarations and Statements 3Thesis