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'''Islamophobia''' is a ] used to refer to an irrational fear or ] towards ] and the religion of ]. '''Islamophobia''' is a ] used to refer to an irrational fear or ] towards ] and the religion of ]. The concept is not universally accepted.
Proponents believe that there exists a systematic prejudice against Muslims and Islam, leading to anti-Muslim ]. They believe that islamophobia is a serious problem which should be tackled.


⚫ == Use of the term ==
{{sectNPOV}}
Some believe that prejudice against Muslims has increased since the ] attacks. Dr Abduljalil Sajid, an adviser to the Commission on British Muslims, an anti-racism group, has said he believes many organizations are "institutionally Islamophobic". He has said that "since the 11 September attacks the single most important concern has been ] harassment of Muslims. Even one of (Britain's) Muslim ] ... has been stopped twice by police." Some believe that prejudice against Muslims has increased since the ] attacks. Dr Abduljalil Sajid, an adviser to the Commission on British Muslims, an anti-racism group, has said he believes many organizations are "institutionally Islamophobic". He has said that "since the 11 September attacks the single most important concern has been ] harassment of Muslims. Even one of (Britain's) Muslim ] ... has been stopped twice by police."


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The concept of Islamophobia has been questioned, with some commentators arguing that the term can also be used to censor legitimate criticism of Islam and of Muslim individuals. . They believe that is used to negatively characterize criticism directed at Islam. The concept of Islamophobia has been questioned, with some commentators arguing that the term can also be used to censor legitimate criticism of Islam and of Muslim individuals. . They believe that is used to negatively characterize criticism directed at Islam.

⚫ == History and use of the term ==

⚫ Islamophobia, as a phenomenon, is believed{{fact}} to date back to the initial ] and grew as a result of the ]. It has been argued that Islamophobia exists outside the West, for example in India. This is more closely related to communal politics in India, although Islamophobia in India does share, with western Islamophobia, the denigration of Islamic culture and history. {{ref|Dalrymple}}

⚫ The term 'Islamophobia' is a ] dating from the early 1990s and is formed with the suffix ] in a similar way to ] or ]. As such, it reflects the influence of such ] movements as ] and ]. During this period, some ] and cultural analysts argued that there was a shift in forms of prejudice from ones based on race to ones based on notions of cultural superiority and otherness. {{ref|Seabrook}} {{ref|Rudiger}}


Actions and beliefs typically described as Islamophobic range from systematic discrimination to physical assault. Hate crimes against Muslims are commonly categorized as Islamophobic, as is inflammatory hate speech, and criticism. The ] Minister Peter Hain's statement that ]'s Muslim community is "isolationist" was met with accusations of Islamophobia, and ] prime minister ]'s statement that Western civilization is "superior" to Islam was similarly deemed Islamophobic. Actions and beliefs typically described as Islamophobic range from systematic discrimination to physical assault. Hate crimes against Muslims are commonly categorized as Islamophobic, as is inflammatory hate speech, and criticism. The ] Minister Peter Hain's statement that ]'s Muslim community is "isolationist" was met with accusations of Islamophobia, and ] prime minister ]'s statement that Western civilization is "superior" to Islam was similarly deemed Islamophobic.
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After September 11, Given the strong association between ]s and the religion of ], Islamophobia is often expressed as a form of ] racism, though not all Arabs are Muslim and the majority of Muslims are not Arab, indeed in the UK most of the victims of Islamophobia have been ] and their Children and in Germany the majority of Victims have been ] and their Children. Anti-Muslim bias has occasionally been expressed in violent attacks on ]s who were mistaken for Muslims on account of their distinctive turbans. Many human rights organizations have documented this recent trend of Islamophobic events and hate crimes against Muslims. After September 11, Given the strong association between ]s and the religion of ], Islamophobia is often expressed as a form of ] racism, though not all Arabs are Muslim and the majority of Muslims are not Arab, indeed in the UK most of the victims of Islamophobia have been ] and their Children and in Germany the majority of Victims have been ] and their Children. Anti-Muslim bias has occasionally been expressed in violent attacks on ]s who were mistaken for Muslims on account of their distinctive turbans. Many human rights organizations have documented this recent trend of Islamophobic events and hate crimes against Muslims.

== History ==

⚫ Islamophobia, as a phenomenon, is believed{{fact}} to date back to the initial ] and grew as a result of the ]. It has been argued that Islamophobia exists outside the West, for example in India. This is more closely related to communal politics in India, although Islamophobia in India does share, with western Islamophobia, the denigration of Islamic culture and history. {{ref|Dalrymple}}

⚫ The term 'Islamophobia' is a ] dating from the early 1990s and is formed with the suffix ] in a similar way to ] or ]. As such, it reflects the influence of such ] movements as ] and ]. During this period, some ] and cultural analysts argued that there was a shift in forms of prejudice from ones based on race to ones based on notions of cultural superiority and otherness. {{ref|Seabrook}} {{ref|Rudiger}}


==Runnymede Trust usage== ==Runnymede Trust usage==
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#Hostility towards Islam is used to justify discriminatory practices towards Muslims and exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society. #Hostility towards Islam is used to justify discriminatory practices towards Muslims and exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society.
#Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural or normal. #Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural or normal.
#Students in many Western schools report insults against Muslims.


The Runnymede description of Islamophobia was accepted by the ]{{fact}} and by numerous Muslim organizations such as FAIR UK, the forum against Islamophobia and racism. The Runnymede description of Islamophobia was accepted by the ]{{fact}} and by numerous Muslim organizations such as FAIR UK, the forum against Islamophobia and racism.
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Toynbee has rejected the label of "Islamophobe" and argued that her comments must be judged on their truth or falsity, not on the offence they might give to most members of the Muslim community. Toynbee has rejected the label of "Islamophobe" and argued that her comments must be judged on their truth or falsity, not on the offence they might give to most members of the Muslim community.

A Former Muslim, journalist Kenan Malik has rejected the widespread existence of Islamophobia in his Documentary . There is undoubtedly ignorance and fear of Islam in this country. Muslims do get attacked because of their faith. And I believe that Britain's anti-terror laws are an affront to democracy. But it's hard to find evidence of a general climate of Islamophobia.


British columnist Josie Appleton criticized the definition given by the ] and wrote: British columnist Josie Appleton criticized the definition given by the ] and wrote:
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Civil-rights activist Bahram Soroush views the term Islamophobia as a form of "Intellectual blackmail", a means of avoiding legitimate criticism of Islam by "scaremongering". Civil-rights activist Bahram Soroush views the term Islamophobia as a form of "Intellectual blackmail", a means of avoiding legitimate criticism of Islam by "scaremongering".


On the other hand, ], professor of economics in the ] believes that what is seen as Islamophobia is essentially just another form of racism, an "extension of ‘ein ]’". He claims that his "main fear is that what we did to Jews we may now do to Muslims. The next ] would be against Muslims." Wolfram Richter, professor of economics in the ] believes that what is seen as Islamophobia is essentially just another form of racism, an "extension of ‘ein ]’". He claims that his "main fear is that what we did to Jews we may now do to Muslims. The next ] would be against Muslims."


== Anti-Islamophobia efforts == == Anti-Islamophobia efforts ==
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== Hate crimes against Muslims == == Hate crimes against Muslims ==

One Muslim journalist in the UK, Kenan Malik has rejected the widespread existence of Islamophobia in his essay . Caution is needed in attributing Islamophobia as the base cause of any event, it is not sufficient that a Muslim is a victim of crime, there the accusation of islamophobia could be used as a mechanism to stifle debate and criticism of the cultural practices of Muslim societies. Anti-social behaviour and deliquency may be the cause of any of the events cited as being islamophobic attacks.


* Attack on a Mosque in ], ]. <small>(*)</small> * Attack on a Mosque in ], ]. <small>(*)</small>
* Attack on a Mosque in ], ]. * Attack on a Mosque in ], ]. (two "projectiles" of unknown nature hit glass of mosque. No reported damage.)
* Attack on a Mosque in ], ]. * Attack on a Mosque in ], ]. (A window was broken at 4:30 a.m.. Motive unknown - e.g. Whether intent was theft, vandelism, etc. No message indicating intent left.)
* The attack on a ] in ], ]. <small>(*)</small> * The attack on a ] in ], ]. <small>(*)</small>
* Smearing a ] with ] and dumping it in ], ]. <small>(*)</small> * Smearing a ] with ] and dumping it in ], ]. <small>(*)</small>

Revision as of 18:44, 20 December 2005

Islamophobia is a neologism used to refer to an irrational fear or prejudice towards Muslims and the religion of Islam. The concept is not universally accepted.

Proponents believe that there exists a systematic prejudice against Muslims and Islam, leading to anti-Muslim hate crimes. They believe that islamophobia is a serious problem which should be tackled.

Use of the term

The neutrality of this section is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Some believe that prejudice against Muslims has increased since the September 11, 2001 attacks. Dr Abduljalil Sajid, an adviser to the Commission on British Muslims, an anti-racism group, has said he believes many organizations are "institutionally Islamophobic". He has said that "since the 11 September attacks the single most important concern has been police harassment of Muslims. Even one of (Britain's) Muslim peers ... has been stopped twice by police."

Many human rights organizations have documented this recent increase in Islamophobic events and hate crimes against Muslims and Islamic organizations have done the same . Secretary-General Kofi Annan told a December 7, 2004 UN conference on the emergence of Islamophobia that "(when) the world is compelled to coin a new term to take account of increasingly widespread bigotry — that is a sad and troubling development. Such is the case with 'Islamophobia'."

American journalist Stephen Schwartz has defined Islamophobia as the condemnation of the entirety of Islam and its history as extremist, denying the existence of a moderate Muslim majority, regarding Islam as a problem for the world, treating conflicts involving Muslims as necessarily their own fault, insisting that Muslims make changes to their religion, and inciting war against Islam as a whole.

The concept of Islamophobia has been questioned, with some commentators arguing that the term can also be used to censor legitimate criticism of Islam and of Muslim individuals. . They believe that is used to negatively characterize criticism directed at Islam.

Actions and beliefs typically described as Islamophobic range from systematic discrimination to physical assault. Hate crimes against Muslims are commonly categorized as Islamophobic, as is inflammatory hate speech, and criticism. The UK Minister Peter Hain's statement that Britain's Muslim community is "isolationist" was met with accusations of Islamophobia, and Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's statement that Western civilization is "superior" to Islam was similarly deemed Islamophobic.

The term most often appears in discourse on the condition of immigrant Muslims living as minorities in the United States, Europe, and Australia, although it has also been used in recent years in countries such as India, and occasionally in connection with non-immigrant Muslim communities or individuals. In the most prominent cases, however, experiences of immigrant communities of unemployment, rejection, alienation, and violence have allegedly combined with Islamophobia to make integration difficult. It has been argued that this has led, in the United Kingdom for example, to Muslim communities suffering higher levels of unemployment, poor housing, poor health, and levels of racially motivated violence than other communities.

After September 11, Given the strong association between Arabs and the religion of Islam, Islamophobia is often expressed as a form of anti-Arab racism, though not all Arabs are Muslim and the majority of Muslims are not Arab, indeed in the UK most of the victims of Islamophobia have been Asians and their Children and in Germany the majority of Victims have been Turks and their Children. Anti-Muslim bias has occasionally been expressed in violent attacks on Sikhs who were mistaken for Muslims on account of their distinctive turbans. Many human rights organizations have documented this recent trend of Islamophobic events and hate crimes against Muslims.

History

Islamophobia, as a phenomenon, is believed to date back to the initial expansion of Islam and grew as a result of the crusades. It has been argued that Islamophobia exists outside the West, for example in India. This is more closely related to communal politics in India, although Islamophobia in India does share, with western Islamophobia, the denigration of Islamic culture and history.

The term 'Islamophobia' is a neologism dating from the early 1990s and is formed with the suffix -phobia in a similar way to Xenophobia or Homophobia. As such, it reflects the influence of such 1990s movements as multi-culturalism and identity politics. During this period, some sociologists and cultural analysts argued that there was a shift in forms of prejudice from ones based on race to ones based on notions of cultural superiority and otherness.

Runnymede Trust usage

In the United Kingdom, the term "Islamophobia" was not used in government policy until 1997, when the UK race-relations think-tank Runnymede Trust published the report "Islamophobia: A Challenge For Us All". (pdf) In a section entitled "The Nature of Islamophobia," the report itemizes eight features that Runnymede attributed to Islamophobia:

  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 and is 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 or normal.

The Runnymede description of Islamophobia was accepted by the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia and by numerous Muslim organizations such as FAIR UK, the forum against Islamophobia and racism.

Criticism of the concept

Some commentators have questioned the concept of Islamophobia, arguing that use of the term is often an attempt to police or censor opinion by characterizing any criticism of Islam or Muslims as pathological and irrational, just as use of the term anti-Semitism, may be an attempt to censor criticism of Israel. Some of these critics cite the case of the British liberal feminist journalist Polly Toynbee, who was nominated for the title of "Most Islamophobic Media Personality of the Year" at the Annual Islamophobia Awards overseen by the Islamic Human Rights Commission in May 2003. The nomination was based on her comments in an article she had written for the London-based liberal newspaper The Guardian:

Religious politics scar India, Kashmir, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Sudan ... the list of countries wrecked by religion is long. But the present danger is caused by Islamist theocracy … There is no point in pretending it is not so. Wherever Islam either is the government or bears down upon the government, it imposes harsh regimes that deny the most basic human rights.

Toynbee has rejected the label of "Islamophobe" and argued that her comments must be judged on their truth or falsity, not on the offence they might give to most members of the Muslim community.

British columnist Josie Appleton criticized the definition given by the Runnymede Trust and wrote:

This report talked about a rising 'anti-Muslim prejudice' that needed addressing in policy. But the section titled 'The nature of Islamophobia' suggests a very broad notion of prejudice — examples of Islamophobia included people seeing Islam as inferior to the West, rather than just distinctively different; seeing Islam as monolithic and static, rather than diverse and progressive; seeing Islam as an enemy, rather than a partner to cooperate with (7). This also seemed to be founded on an over-sensitivity, an attempt to stem any kind of criticism of Islam. Rather than engage Muslims in debate, non-Muslims are supposed to tiptoe around them, for fear of causing offence. Since 11 September we have seen how this attitude can stifle discussion.

Civil-rights activist Bahram Soroush views the term Islamophobia as a form of "Intellectual blackmail", a means of avoiding legitimate criticism of Islam by "scaremongering".

Wolfram Richter, professor of economics in the University of Dortmund believes that what is seen as Islamophobia is essentially just another form of racism, an "extension of ‘ein Volk’". He claims that his "main fear is that what we did to Jews we may now do to Muslims. The next holocaust would be against Muslims."

Anti-Islamophobia efforts

  • The Forum on Islamophobia and Racism (FAIR) dedicates itself to fighting Islamophobia in the United Kingdom.
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) recently organized a conference with the topic of "Islamophobia and Anti-Americanism: Causes and Remedies," which touched on the issue of Islamophobia. Guest speakers included those from several American universities, Amnesty International, and former Deputy Premier of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim.

Aside from this many Islamic organizations in the west have taken step forwards to correct certain misconceptions about Islam that have become more prevalent in the post-9/11 world.

Hate crimes against Muslims

One Muslim journalist in the UK, Kenan Malik has rejected the widespread existence of Islamophobia in his essay The Myth of Islamophobia. Caution is needed in attributing Islamophobia as the base cause of any event, it is not sufficient that a Muslim is a victim of crime, there the accusation of islamophobia could be used as a mechanism to stifle debate and criticism of the cultural practices of Muslim societies. Anti-social behaviour and deliquency may be the cause of any of the events cited as being islamophobic attacks.

(*) These articles do not specifically use the term 'Islamophobia'

See also

References

  1. Religion as a fig leaf for racism, Jeremy Seabrook, The Guardian, 23 July 2004, retrieved 29 January 2005 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/race/story/0,11374,1267567,00.html
  2. Discrimination and Legislation - Response of Dr. Anya Rudiger from Discrimination and Legislation session of Muslims in Europe post 9/11 conference, 2003-04-26, St Antony's College, Oxford retrieved 2005-01-29 from http://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/princeton/pap_rudiger.shtml
  3. Islam and Muslims in Europe, Tariq Ramadan, Equal Voices issue 10, published by European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) verified 2005-01-29 from http://eumc.eu.int/eumc/index.php?fuseaction=content.dsp_cat_content&catid=3e3e6e32a2316&contentid=3e3e8c602f879
  4. Discrimination and Legislation from Muslims in Europe post 9/11 conference, 2003-04-26, St Antony's College, Oxford retrieved 2005-01-29 from http://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/princeton/pap_malik.shtml
  5. Trapped in the ruins, William Dalrymple, The Guardian, 2004-03-20, verified 2005-01-29 from http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1172782,00.html
  6. Loop professor takes heat for conduct, The DePaulia, verified 17 May 2005 from http://www.thedepaulia.com/story.asp?artid=77&sectid=1
  7. Orientalism, Edward W. Said , ISBN 0614216303 (1996 edition, Kazi Pubns Inc), quote given is taken from Page 74 of the "2003 Edition", publisher unknown.

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