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Islamophobia is a neologism which defines hatred of [[Muslims]] and Islam as an irrational fear. It is generally used to intimidate critics of Islam in America and prosecute critics in Europe.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11464025 |title=Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders goes on trial|date=2010-10-04|publisher=BBC News Europe}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://michellemalkin.com/2006/06/12/the-trial-of-oriana-fallaci/|title=The Trial of Oriana Fallaci|author=Michelle Malkin|date=2006-06-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://frontpagemag.com/2011/11/30/the-political-persecution-of-elisabeth-sabaditsch-wolff/|title=The Political Persecution of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff|date=2011-11-30|author=Ned May|publisher=Front Page Magazine}}</ref>

Islamophobia is a neologism which defines hatred of [[Muslims]] and Islam as an irrational fear. It is generally used to intimidate critics of Islam in America and prosecute critics in Europe.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11464025 |title=Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders goes on trial|date=2010-10-04|publisher=BBC News Europe}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://michellemalkin.com/2006/06/12/the-trial-of-oriana-fallaci/|title=The Trial of Oriana Fallaci|author=Michelle Malkin|date=2006-06-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://frontpagemag.com/2011/11/30/the-political-persecution-of-elisabeth-sabaditsch-wolff/|title=The Political Persecution of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff|date=2011-11-30|author=Ned May|publisher=Front Page Magazine}}</ref>

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first known use of the term Islamophobia  was in 1976, though it has become more frequently used since the 1997 publication of ''Islamophobia: A Challenge For Us All'' by Trevor Phillips of the Runnymede Trust, a left-wing UK think tank that focuses on race and racism. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/16/national/main563594.shtml|title=Anti-Muslim Discriination On Rise|author=Jennifer C. Kerr|date=2009-05-18|publisher=CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4102389.stm|title=‘Rise’ in Muslim discrimination|author-Dominic Casciani|publisher=BBC News|date=2004-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_42_37/ai_79339769/ |title=Interfaith group deplores anti-Muslim violence|date=2001-10-05|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|accessdate=2012-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=127fe2880e48951b564ac2f3e171242e|title=Big Jump in Hate Crimes Against Muslims Documented|date=2006-10-10|author=Jim Lobe|publication=New America Media}}</ref> However, according to former Imam Abdur-Rahman Muhammad in a Daily News article, the term Islamophobia was conceived in Muslim think tanks for the purpose of "beating down critics." <ref>http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ground-zero-mosque-built-u-s-muslims-access-american-dream-article-1.440737&date=2012-04-24</ref>

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first known use of the term Islamophobia  was in 1976, though it has become more frequently used since the 1997 publication of ''Islamophobia: A Challenge For Us All'' by Trevor Phillips of the Runnymede Trust, a left-wing UK think tank that focuses on race and racism.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/16/national/main563594.shtml|title=Anti-Muslim Discriination On Rise|author=Jennifer C. Kerr|date=2009-05-18|publisher=CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4102389.stm|title=‘Rise’ in Muslim discrimination|author-Dominic Casciani|publisher=BBC News|date=2004-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_42_37/ai_79339769/ |title=Interfaith group deplores anti-Muslim violence|date=2001-10-05|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|accessdate=2012-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=127fe2880e48951b564ac2f3e171242e|title=Big Jump in Hate Crimes Against Muslims Documented|date=2006-10-10|author=Jim Lobe|publication=New America Media}}</ref> However, according to former Imam Abdur-Rahman Muhammad in a Daily News article, the term Islamophobia was conceived in Muslim think tanks for the purpose of "beating down critics." <ref>http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ground-zero-mosque-built-u-s-muslims-access-american-dream-article-1.440737&date=2012-04-24</ref>

The Runnymede Trust defines Islamophobia as having the following characteristics:

The Runnymede Trust defines Islamophobia as having the following characteristics:

In a May 2001 interview, [[British]] politician Nick Giffen stated "Muslims are the biggest problem at present, for several reasons, because they have the highest birth rate, which means their communities need living space - that's what the ethnic cleansing is about. They have political corruption in their own countries, and when they have a chance to get council places they are there for graft. Most important of all is that Islam is an aggressive religion." <ref>‘Far right aims to gain foothold in Oldham’, Jeevan Vasagar, May 30, 2001 The Guardian"</ref>

In a May 2001 interview, [[British]] politician Nick Giffen stated "Muslims are the biggest problem at present, for several reasons, because they have the highest birth rate, which means their communities need living space - that's what the ethnic cleansing is about. They have political corruption in their own countries, and when they have a chance to get council places they are there for graft. Most important of all is that Islam is an aggressive religion." <ref>‘Far right aims to gain foothold in Oldham’, Jeevan Vasagar, May 30, 2001 The Guardian"</ref>

On September 15, 2001, Balbir Singh Sodhi, a [[Sikh]] man (known for wearing distinctive beards and turbans) was mistaken for a Muslim and murdered at a gas station in Mesa, Arizona. His murderer, Frank Silva Roque, was convicted and initially sentenced to death, but this was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole by the Arizona Supreme Court. <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3154170.stm</ref>

On September 15, 2001, Balbir Singh Sodhi, a [[Sikh]] man (known for wearing distinctive beards and turbans) was mistaken for a Muslim and murdered at a gas station in Mesa, Arizona. His murderer, Frank Silva Roque, was convicted and initially sentenced to death, but this was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole by the Arizona Supreme Court.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3154170.stm</ref>

==Criticism of the concept of Islamophobia==

==Criticism of the concept of Islamophobia==

Rowan Atkinson, a British comic-actor has likewise stated that although criticizing another person based on their race is ridiculous and irrational, criticizing another's religion, which is a voluntary belief, is a right.  He further stated that laws should not be created which protect certain types of ideas from criticism and not others.

Rowan Atkinson, a British comic-actor has likewise stated that although criticizing another person based on their race is ridiculous and irrational, criticizing another's religion, which is a voluntary belief, is a right.  He further stated that laws should not be created which protect certain types of ideas from criticism and not others.

[[Stephen Schwartz]], an American [[writer]] and critic of [[Wahabbism]], has stated that although the charge of Islamophobia is sometimes leveled too quickly against an opponent, that it is still a real phenomenon<ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=17874</ref>, which he defines as:

[[Stephen Schwartz]], an American [[writer]] and critic of [[Wahabbism]], has stated that although the charge of Islamophobia is sometimes leveled too quickly against an opponent, that it is still a real phenomenon,<ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=17874</ref> which he defines as:

:1) Attacking the entire religion of Islam as a problem for the world;  

:1) Attacking the entire religion of Islam as a problem for the world;  

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[[category:phobias]]

[[Category:Phobias]]

[[category:Islam]]

[[Category:Islam]]

[[Category:Hillary Clinton]]

[[Category:Hillary Clinton]]