Fear, hatred of, or prejudice against the religion of Islam or Muslims in general
This article is about irrational fear, hatred of, or prejudice towards Muslims or Islam. For the historic persecution of Muslims, see Persecution of Muslims. For prejudice against those from the Middle East, see Anti–Middle Eastern sentiment.
Islamophobia is the irrational fear of, hostility towards, or prejudice against the religion of Islam or Muslims in general.[1][2][3][4][5] Islamophobia is primarily a form of racial, religious or cultural bigotry;[6] and people who harbour such sentiments often stereotype Muslims as a geopolitical threat or a source of terrorism.[7][8][9]
The exact definition of the term "Islamophobia" has been a subject of debate amongst Western analysts. Detractors of the term have proposed alternative terms, such as "anti-Muslim", to denote prejudice or discrimination against Muslims.[21] It has been alleged, often by right-wing commentators, that the term is sometimes used to avoid criticism of Islam, by removing the distinction between racism and criticism of religious doctrine or practice.[22][23][21] Academics, activists and experts have denounced such characterizations as attempts to deny the existence of Islamophobia.[24][25][26][27]
^Hilal, Maha (2021). Innocent Until Proven Muslim: Islamophobia, the War on Terror, and the Muslim Experience Since 9/11. Minneapolis, USA: Broadleaf Books. ISBN978-1-5064-7046-7.
^Kumar, Deepa (2021). "7: The New McCarthyites: The right-wing islamophobia network and their liberal enablers". Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire (2nd ed.). 6 Meard Street, London W1F 0EG, UK: Verso. pp. 197, 198. ISBN978-1-78873-721-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
^Benkler, Faris, Roberts, Yochai, Robert, Hal (2018). "4: Immigration and Islamophobia: Breitbart and the Trump Party". Network Propaganda: Manipulation, Disinformation, and Radicalization in American Politics. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, Ny 10016, USA: Oxford University Press. pp. 105–144. ISBN9780190923624. LCCN2018020121.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)