Discrimination, prejudice, or hatred against Muslims.
For example, harassing a woman because she's wearing a hijab; treating people unfairly simply because they have an Islamic
name; forcing Muslims to
eat pork or drink beer.
The term 'Islamophobia' originated in the 1970s, and was created with the intention of using liberal values to protect Islam from any kind of criticism. When Iranians,
Ex-Muslims, people who grew up in Muslim-majority countries
try to speak out about their Islamotrauma, they were very often silenced by this term.
Islam is a set of specific ideas based on scripture. People should be able to criticize it. Freedom of expression is a human
right. Questioning and criticizing ideologies is crucial for societal progression.
You see, the
person who coined the term 'Islamophobia' cared about protecting Islam more than protecting Muslim. That
person is wrong. When it comes to people and ideas, people should
always come first. Use anti-Muslim bigotry or Muslimophobia or Muslimphobia instead of Islamophobia.
"The issue with the modern
day use of Islamophobia is that people conflate criticism of
Islam with anti-Muslim bigotry."
"We absolutely need to acknowledge that anti-Muslim bigotry exists."
"Anti-Muslim bigotry is
disgusting."
"Criticizing Islam is not anti-Muslim bigotry."
