Islamophobia

From Srafopedia

Strictly speaking, a phobia is a fear of something, from the Greek word φόβος phobos. It usually refers to an irrational fear that may be based on a real danger, such as Pyrophobia - fear of fire; or a totally imaginary danger, such as Triskaidekaphobia - fear of the number 13.

However, the term is now often used to indicate the dislike of something, rather than fear. Thus, the word Xenophobia, although having a genuine psychiatric meaning: the (irrational) fear of strangers (foreigners); is often used for the (irrational) dislike, even hatred, of strangers (foreigners).

In a similar way, Islamophobia is now generally used to mean the dislike, distrust and hatred of Islam, rather than its fear.

If a person is described as being Islamophobic, it usually means that they are being accused of prejudice or discrimination against a person or group of people on the grounds of their Islamic religion. It has become a common description for anti-terrorism measures which might be thought unfairly to target followers of Islam.

The term Islamophobia should only be used for discrimination and aggression against Muslims, not for criticism of Islam in a civil and reasoned manner.