Difference between revisions of "Islamophobia"

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[[File:Richard Dawkins photo.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|260px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] is dismissive of the concept of "Islamophobia" and declared: "I’m always being accused of Islamophobia, that’s a non-word."<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/richard-dawkins-defends-ahmed-mohamed-comments-and-dismisses-islamophobia-as-a-non-word-10515389.html Richard Dawkins defends Ahmed Mohamed comments and dismisses Islamophobia as a 'non-word'], ''Independent'', 24 September 2015</ref> See: [[Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations]] ]]
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'''"Islamophobia"''' is, literally, "fear of Islam" though the term can be used for a variety of purposes, like: ''"fear or hatred of [[Islam]] and Muslims"'', and is often used to smear people opposed to and critical of Islam.
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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=https://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>
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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=https://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 Islamic 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>
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The Runnymede Trust defines "Islamophobia" as having the following characteristics:
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#Islam is seen as a monolithic bloc, static and unresponsive to change.
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#Islam is seen as separate and "other". It does not have values in common with other cultures, is not affected by them and does not influence them.
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#Islam is seen as inferior to the West. It is seen as barbaric, irrational, primitive and sexist.
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#Islam is seen as violent, aggressive, threatening, supportive of terrorism and engaged in a Clash of Civilizations.
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#Islam is seen as a political ideology, used for political or military advantage.
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#Criticisms made of 'the West' by Islam are rejected out of hand.
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#Hostility towards Islam is used to justify discriminatory practices towards Muslims and exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society.
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#Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural and normal.
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==Liberal Islamophobia==
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Liberals use the term "Islamophobia" often as a way to demonize and smear their opposition. But true Islamophobia is often espoused by the defenders of Islam. Politically correct attitudes of liberals demand concerns for Islamic sensitivity, a fear of offending Islam, demand concessions for Islam over legitimate religions, obfuscate or whitewash Islamic beliefs as to minimize their true intentions. For example, liberals combat so-called "Islamophobia" by exercising [[tolerance]] for the [[sharia law|Islamic judicial process]] which demands that persons convicted of homosexual acts be thrown from the highest point, usually a tall building. The liberal idea of "Islamophobia" is not an irrational fear of Muslims but rather a fear of offending Muslims.
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[[CAIR]] is notorious for using the term, heavily equating "Islamophobia" with "[[racism]]" despite Islam being a socio-political ideology and not a "race" or a "religion".
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==Examples of "Islamophobia"==
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In a May 2001 interview, [[British]] politician Nick Griffin 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 [housing] 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>
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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>
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==Criticism of the concept of "Islamophobia"==
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Kenan Malik, a British writer, has criticized the concept of "Islamophobia", calling it a myth.  He argues that the charge of "Islamophobia" is leveled against those who criticize [[Islam]] or Muslims in any way (even when those criticisms are legitimate) to serve as a "chilling effect."
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Rowan Atkinson, a British comic-actor has likewise stated that although criticizing another person's 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.
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[[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:
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#Attacking the entire religion of Islam as a problem for the world;
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#Condemning all of Islam and its history as extremist;
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#Denying the active existence, in the contemporary world, of a moderate Muslim majority;
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#Insisting that Muslims accede to the demands of non-Muslims (based on ignorance and arrogance) for various theological changes, in their religion;
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#Treating all conflicts involving Muslims (including, for example, that in Bosnia-Hercegovina a decade ago), as the fault of Muslims themselves;
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#Inciting war against Islam as a whole.
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[[Daniel Pipes]] argues that the word "Islamophobia" conflates "fear of Islam and fear of radical Islam" and is used to suppress all criticism of Islam including radical Islam. Even moderate Muslims who critically examine the excesses of fellow Muslims are labeled "Islamophobes".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meforum.org/pipes/3075/islamophobia|title=Islamophobia?|author=Daniel Pipes|publication=Middle East Forum|date=Oct 25, 2005}}</ref> The term is used to make Muslims another victim-group.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/islamophobia-is-a-fabrication-20090329-9fjm.html?page=-1|title=Islamophobia is a fabrication|author=Paul Sheehan|date=March 30, 2009|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> Paul Jackson in his study of anti-Islamic politics in the UK, criticizes the Runnymede criteria as lacking in distinctions. He points out the term prevents justifiable examination of jihadi groups.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.radicalism-new-media.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/The_EDL_Britains_New_Far_Right_Social_Movement.pdf|author=Paul Jackson|page=10|title=The EDL}}</ref>
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David Horowitz and Robert Spencer wrote that accusations of "Islamophobia" are a [[political correctness|PC]] thought crime used by liberals against conservatives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://frontpagemag.com/2012/david-horowitz-and-robert-spencer/islamophobia-thought-crime-of-the-totalitarian-future-4/|title=Islamophobia: Thought Crime of the Totalitarian Future|author=David Horowitz and Robert Spencer}}</ref>
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== See also ==
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*[[New Atheism and Islamophobia]]
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*[[Atheism vs. Islam]]
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*[[Islam and Christianity]]
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*[[Muzzamil Hassan]]
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== External links ==
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*[http://www.combatantsforpeace.org/ Combatants for Peace]
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*[http://www.islamophobia.org/news.php Islamophobia]
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*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/04/10/thought-europes-muslims-gradually-blend-britains-diverse-landscape-known-better/ UK Equalities Chief Who Popularised The Term ‘Islamophobia’ Admits: ‘I Thought Muslims Would Blend into Britain… I Should Have Known Better’]
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==References==
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<references/>
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[[Category:Phobias]]
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[[Category:Islam]]
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[[Category:Hillary Clinton]]

Revision as of 13:07, April 2, 2019

Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins is dismissive of the concept of "Islamophobia" and declared: "I’m always being accused of Islamophobia, that’s a non-word."[1] See: Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations

"Islamophobia" is, literally, "fear of Islam" though the term can be used for a variety of purposes, like: "fear or hatred of Islam and Muslims", and is often used to smear people opposed to and critical of Islam.

"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.[2][3][4]

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.[5][6][7][8] However, according to former Imam Abdur-Rahman Muhammad in a Daily News article, the term "Islamophobia" was conceived in Islamic think tanks for the purpose of "beating down critics." [9]

The Runnymede Trust defines "Islamophobia" as having the following characteristics:

  1. Islam is seen as a monolithic bloc, static and unresponsive to change.
  2. Islam is seen as separate and "other". It does not have values in common with other cultures, is not affected by them and does not influence them.
  3. Islam is seen as inferior to the West. It is seen as barbaric, irrational, primitive and sexist.
  4. Islam is seen as violent, aggressive, threatening, supportive of terrorism and engaged in a Clash of Civilizations.
  5. Islam is seen as a political ideology, used for political or military advantage.
  6. Criticisms made of 'the West' by Islam are rejected out of hand.
  7. Hostility towards Islam is used to justify discriminatory practices towards Muslims and exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society.
  8. Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural and normal.

Liberal Islamophobia

Liberals use the term "Islamophobia" often as a way to demonize and smear their opposition. But true Islamophobia is often espoused by the defenders of Islam. Politically correct attitudes of liberals demand concerns for Islamic sensitivity, a fear of offending Islam, demand concessions for Islam over legitimate religions, obfuscate or whitewash Islamic beliefs as to minimize their true intentions. For example, liberals combat so-called "Islamophobia" by exercising tolerance for the Islamic judicial process which demands that persons convicted of homosexual acts be thrown from the highest point, usually a tall building. The liberal idea of "Islamophobia" is not an irrational fear of Muslims but rather a fear of offending Muslims.

CAIR is notorious for using the term, heavily equating "Islamophobia" with "racism" despite Islam being a socio-political ideology and not a "race" or a "religion".

Examples of "Islamophobia"

In a May 2001 interview, British politician Nick Griffin 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 [housing] places they are there for graft. Most important of all is that Islam is an aggressive religion." [10]

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.[11]

Criticism of the concept of "Islamophobia"

Kenan Malik, a British writer, has criticized the concept of "Islamophobia", calling it a myth. He argues that the charge of "Islamophobia" is leveled against those who criticize Islam or Muslims in any way (even when those criticisms are legitimate) to serve as a "chilling effect."

Rowan Atkinson, a British comic-actor has likewise stated that although criticizing another person's 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,[12] which he defines as:

  1. Attacking the entire religion of Islam as a problem for the world;
  2. Condemning all of Islam and its history as extremist;
  3. Denying the active existence, in the contemporary world, of a moderate Muslim majority;
  4. Insisting that Muslims accede to the demands of non-Muslims (based on ignorance and arrogance) for various theological changes, in their religion;
  5. Treating all conflicts involving Muslims (including, for example, that in Bosnia-Hercegovina a decade ago), as the fault of Muslims themselves;
  6. Inciting war against Islam as a whole.

Daniel Pipes argues that the word "Islamophobia" conflates "fear of Islam and fear of radical Islam" and is used to suppress all criticism of Islam including radical Islam. Even moderate Muslims who critically examine the excesses of fellow Muslims are labeled "Islamophobes".[13] The term is used to make Muslims another victim-group.[14] Paul Jackson in his study of anti-Islamic politics in the UK, criticizes the Runnymede criteria as lacking in distinctions. He points out the term prevents justifiable examination of jihadi groups.[15]

David Horowitz and Robert Spencer wrote that accusations of "Islamophobia" are a PC thought crime used by liberals against conservatives.[16]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Richard Dawkins defends Ahmed Mohamed comments and dismisses Islamophobia as a 'non-word', Independent, 24 September 2015
  2. ↑ "Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders goes on trial", BBC News Europe, 2010-10-04. 
  3. ↑ Michelle Malkin (2006-06-12). The Trial of Oriana Fallaci.
  4. ↑ Ned May (2011-11-30). The Political Persecution of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff. Front Page Magazine.
  5. ↑ Jennifer C. Kerr. "Anti-Muslim Discriination On Rise", CBS News, 2009-05-18. 
  6. ↑ "‘Rise’ in Muslim discrimination", BBC News, 2004-12-16. 
  7. ↑ "Interfaith group deplores anti-Muslim violence", 2001-10-05. Retrieved on 2012-05-13. 
  8. ↑ Jim Lobe (2006-10-10). Big Jump in Hate Crimes Against Muslims Documented.
  9. ↑ 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
  10. ↑ ‘Far right aims to gain foothold in Oldham’, Jeevan Vasagar, May 30, 2001 The Guardian"
  11. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3154170.stm
  12. ↑ http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=17874
  13. ↑ Daniel Pipes (Oct 25, 2005). Islamophobia?.
  14. ↑ Paul Sheehan. "Islamophobia is a fabrication", March 30, 2009. 
  15. ↑ Paul Jackson. The EDL. 
  16. ↑ David Horowitz and Robert Spencer. Islamophobia: Thought Crime of the Totalitarian Future.
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