From Brethren to Burden? Threat Narratives and the Construction of Refugees on Egyptian Social Media

A Mixed-Methods Study

Bibliographic Data

ID19225798
AuthorsKayaty Ashour (0000-0003-1832-2254, Beni-Suef University, corresponding author), Marzouqah Q Alazmi (0009-0005-8148-4477, Kuwait University), Abdesselam Salmi (0000-0002-9020-8512, City University College of Ajman), Rezki Kettaf (0009-0002-9571-7591, Institute of Contemporary History)
Year2026
Pages1-20
Publication date2026-05-27
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1556-2948 • E-ISSN: 1556-2956
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15562948.2026.2674867
OpenAlexW7162629859
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited66

This study utilizes a mixed-methods design (survey N = 389; focus groups N = 17) to examine xenophobic hate speech against Syrian and Sudanese refugees among Egyptian social media users. We identify dominant “threat narratives”—specifically economic burden and security risks—amplified primarily through Facebook. Results highlight a complex dynamic where economic precarity drives hostility yet coexists with humanitarian ambivalence. The findings suggest that despite skepticism toward platform accuracy, social media may contribute to scapegoating perceptions within this sample during periods of crisis. The article concludes by recommending structural interventions, including platform accountability and targeted media literacy, to mitigate digital xenophobia in the Global South context.

Immigration · Narrative · Refugee · Syrian refugees · Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts · Middle East Politics and Society · Migration, Refugees, and Integration

Tools

Open DOI