Along with the term “Islamist extremists,” a synonym for religiously motivated terrorists, the word “Islamophobia” is used increasingly today to describe a fear, perhaps an irrational fear, of Muslim faith and culture.
As Dr David Claydon has observed, the term “Islamophobia” was apparently coined by Iranian fundamentalists in the 1970s to create a link between their religion and racism, in order to highlight alleged discrimination against Muslims. There is no equivalent word to describe fear of other religious communities.
But Islamic belief is not racially determined; it’s a school of thought, and therefore not beyond criticism. Yet those who make remarks critical of Islam are sidelined as purveyors of “Islamophobia.” It’s time we ditched the word.
The way to overcome legitimate fears is to examine what we don’t understand, and develop friendships with Muslim people near where we live. Less hostility and more hospitality all round would go a long way to making Australia a more harmonious society.
Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 12 Feb 2012.
