Fear of the unfamiliar word jihad, not its meaning, drives American Islamophobia.

Evidence

Because jihad is a non-English word, it is understandable that many Americans do not understand the word and its connotations. However, this gives rise to Islamophobia because people are afraid of what they do not know. If presented with two words, jihad and struggle, many Americans would not react to the latter, but ears would go up in response to the former. This is ironic because the two words are nearly synonymous, just in two different languages. — Asena Karipek, Portrayals of Jihad, 72

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the general literature on xenophobia and fear of the unfamiliar linguistic out-group. — connects to: Baby jihad is one strand within a broader web of Islamophobic anxieties. — Margaret Hodson, Baby Jihad, 56; Islamophobia stems from nationalism’s ambiguities rather than fear of Islam; Islamophobia originates in ambiguous citizenship models, not in fear of Islam itself. (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Islamophobia stems from nationalism’s ambiguities rather than fear of Islam #corroborates (0.70)
• Islamophobia originates in ambiguous citizenship models, not in fear of Islam itself. #corroborates (0.70)
• Islamophobia is powered by the overlap of Muslims being both inside and outside #corroborates (0.65)