Islamophobia

Islamophobia is a newly coined term describing hatred or prejudice against Muslims, and Islamic culture in general. Islamophobia is characterised by the belief that Muslims are religious fanatics, and have violent tendencies towards non-Muslims. Islamophobia can also be seen as a form of Anti-Arab racism.

Some people advocate using the neologism islamophobe to describe someone with islamophobia. It is thought by some that the term 'islamophobia' is based upon the term 'homophobia'.

Ever since the Muslim expansion in the 8th century fear of Muslims, or discrimination of Muslims, has existed to some degree within Western, Judeo-Christian culture.

At present, some Islamaphobia is driven by the fear of the Islamist movement. Many people mistakenly believe that most Muslims are Islamist, when in fact the Islamist movement is a minority position. Many people in Western society, as well as many Islamists and fundamentalist Muslims, see Islam as directly opposed to equality, tolerance, democracy, capitalism and socialism, as well as communism, feminism and gay equality.

Similarly, the September 11 Terrorist Attack has lead to an increase in Islamophobia throughout the Western world.

There are many organizations working to end Anti-Muslim bias among Israelis, as well as to end hatred of Jews among Arabs. See the entry on projects working for peace among Israelis and Arabs.

See also: Anti-Islamism, Dhimmi, persecution of Christians, Islam and anti-Semitism