Theological Dialogue Forensics: Ahmad Deedat in the Context of Islamophobia and Western Media Propaganda

This article explores the role of Ahmad Deedat in combating Islamophobia through a method termed theological dialogue forensics a critical, text-based approach to interfaith engagement that deconstructs Christian doctrines using scriptural reasoning. Drawing on library research and qualitative textual analysis, the study examines how Deedat’s public debates and writings served as tools for theological resistance against missionary activity and media-fueled misrepresentations of Islam. His work, which gained traction in postcolonial contexts, not only empowered lay Muslims to engage in interreligious dialogue but also challenged dominant Western narratives that portrayed Islam as irrational and violent. Furthermore, the article investigates the role of Western media in shaping public perceptions of Islam and highlights how Deedat’s confrontational yet evidence-based rhetoric functioned as a counter-narrative to the spread of Islamophobic discourse. While acknowledging the limitations of Deedat’s polemical style in contemporary pluralistic societies, the study argues for the continued relevance of his forensic method, especially when integrated with more dialogical and empathetic strategies. Ultimately, this research situates Ahmad Deedat’s legacy within the broader discourse of intellectual resistance, religious identity, and the urgent need for epistemic justice in a media-saturated world.