Islamophobia functions as an existential threat that forces Muslims to conceal faith

Evidence

Islamophobia is, to borrow the words of Jean-Paul Sartre, “what we feel, what we live, [and] what we are.” That state of being that sits in the pit of our stomach and then steers our fears toward the worst possible ends is what being Muslim in the world fundamentally means. It is that unmistakable feeling that rears its menacing head when disaster strikes, then struts alongside you while you try to pick up the pieces and stave off indictment, or worse, demonization, by keeping your head down, concealing your faith, or apologizing for evil acts to which you bear no connection. — Khaled A. Beydoun, The New Crusades_ Islamophobia and the…, 46

Categorization

• DEFINE: Beydoun’s working definition of Islamophobia as lived existential condition, in contrast to academic taxonomies.
• XREF: connects to: Islamophobia may target Islamic doctrine and Muslims separately or together — Erik Bleich, What Is Islamophobia and How Much Is…, 35