The term ‘Islamophobia’ conflates criticism of Islam with hatred of Muslims
Evidence
The term has come to be used by both proponents and opponents of bigotry to blur the distinction between criticism and hatred. On the one hand, it enables many to attack criticism of Islam as illegitimate because it is judged to be ‘Islamophobic’. On the other, it permits those who promote hatred to dismiss condemnation of that hatred as stemming from an illegitimate desire to avoid criticism of Islam. In conflating criticism and bigotry, the very concept of Islamophobia makes it more difficult to engage in a rational discussion about where and how to draw the line between the two, and about how to challenge the latter. — A. Hussain, N. Meer, Framing Muslim Integration, 651
‘You’re not a real Muslim.’ Why? Because to be a proper Muslim is, from such a perspective, to find the cartoons offensive. Anyone who is not offended is by definition not a proper Muslim. The argument of the liberal anti-racist here meets that of the anti-Muslim bigot. For the latter, the real Muslim is the reactionary Muslim; for the former, the liberal Muslim is not a real Muslim. And in eliding criticism of Islam with hatred of Muslims, the concept of Islamophobia helps makes it easier for the bigot to portray his bigotry as criticism of Islam and for the liberal to view criticism of Islam as a form of bigotry. — A. Hussain, N. Meer, Framing Muslim Integration, 668
The term has come to be used by both proponents and opponents of bigotry to blur the distinction between criticism and hatred. On the one hand, it enables many to attack criticism of Islam as illegitimate because it is judged to be ‘Islamophobic’. On the other, it permits those who promote hatred to dismiss condemnation of that hatred as stemming from an illegitimate desire to avoid criticism of Islam. In conflating criticism and bigotry, the very concept of Islamophobia makes it more difficult to engage in a rational discussion about where and how to draw the line between the two, and about how to challenge the latter. — Runnymede Trust (ed. Farah Elahi & Omar Khan), Islamophobia, 646
Categorization
- DEFINE: This is a rival definitional framing: the term itself, far from being neutral, performs a conflation all sides can cynically exploit.
- XREF: Connects to Halliday’s ‘anti-Muslimism’ terminological critique — this author stands in the same critical camp against the Runnymede/racialization framing. — connects to: Opponents argue Islamophobia labels are deployed politically to suppress legitimate criticism. — Nasar Meer, Tariq Modood, Refutations of Racism in the ‘Muslim…, 65; Critics object that Islamophobia misnames fear of Islamist terrorism — Nasar Meer, Tariq Modood, Refutations of Racism in the ‘Muslim…, 66; The Runnymede Trust defines Islamophobia as a form of racism against Muslims — A. Hussain, N. Meer, Framing Muslim Integration, 53 (+10 more)
- corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — A. Hussain, N. Meer, Framing Muslim Integration, 651; A. Hussain, N. Meer, Framing Muslim Integration, 668; Runnymede Trust (ed. Farah Elahi & Omar Khan), Islamophobia: Still a Challenge for Us…, 646
Broader Connections
- Islamophobia denotes fear, hatred, and hostility toward Muslims and Islam.
#contradicts(0.90) — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 31 - Criticism that endangers Muslim safety crosses into Islamophobia.
#qualifies(0.85) — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 80 - Denying Islamophobia as ideas-criticism enables anti-Muslim feeling disconnected from real Muslims.
#complicates(0.80) — A. Hussain, N. Meer, Framing Muslim Integration, 139 - Islamophobia as a term originated as an activist denunciatory label, not an analytical concept
#responds-to(0.75) — Erik Bleich, What Is Islamophobia and How Much Is…, 6