Islamophobia becoming normalised in the media

[nomas]

Genuinely shocked by this headline on MSN.com today (UK site).

The title is

"Muslim convert explains why UK is 'best' as she boasts 'everything is free'"

No one seems to blink an eye at this blatant Islamophobia anymore.

Substitute Muslim for any other minority and people would be shocked for example:

• "Jewish convert explains why UK is 'best' as she boasts 'everything is free'"
• "Black person explains why UK is 'best' as she boasts 'everything is free'"
• "Christian convert explains why UK is 'best' as she boasts 'everything is free'"

Muslim convert explains why UK is 'best' as she boasts 'everything is free'

"Speaking out on things" doesn't usually lead to people being called "racist" unless their particular brand of "speaking out" involves racist tropes and assumptions or making blatantly racist statements.

Has someone called you racist? I wonder what you said which led them to that conclusion.

You’ve said women are oppressed and the man thought of as superior. Would that be objected to?

Oh please !! Play dumb all you like but we all know you can’t say anything about Islam without being accused of being against certain races. Two tier policing is a thing for a reason.

Well, it should be objected too, obviously

… Islam isn’t a race.

There are people of various ethnicities that follow Islam.

What is it you’ve said that you believe is unfairly called racist?

No I mean you saying that. But yes it can be seen as an issue.

Oh, you're one of those who likes to complain about two-tier policing? Got it.

FWIW, I wasn't "playing dumb", I was expressing a genuinely held opinion. I think it's perfectly possible to express concerns about Islam or indeed any other religion without being called racist. As a pp has already pointed out, Islam is a religion and not a race in any case.

As an atheist, I find all religions to be deeply flawed, but I am capable of thinking that while interacting respectfully with people who do have religious faith. Likewise, I find that most people of all faiths are perfectly able to interact with my atheist beliefs politely and respectfully.

Unfortunately, some people express their views in racist ways, and that does inevitably end up in them getting called racist. Unsurprisingly.

Really?

I am aware Islam isn’t a race. And I haven’t said anything 🤣 you see it all online, people mention immigration, you’re racist, mention grooming gangs, you’re racist etc etc 🥱

Two-tier policing 😅🤣

Is that the same policing that targeted Blacks, and still does??

If so, then it's not two-tier policing, you numb nut, its just shit policing all around!

Find something else to be offended about. 🤡

All religions do is cause war and suffering ! They should be banned. It’s 2026, it’s pretty clear it’s all a load of old stories told a long long time ago. That is my opinion, and you’ll find I am allowed to have one and share it without you trying to shame me for it.

We have a lawfully established political party which has just passed a patently anti-Semitic resolution. Of course it's not confined to Muslims.

If you say so

There are some good parts and some people do find comfort in say going to church, but generally passing religions through generations from a long time ago tends to bring some of those crises into modern times.

So nobody has ever actually called you a racist for expressing your views?

Of course it isn't racist to discuss immigration, or grooming gangs, or views on different religions etc. But it is racist if you happen to talk about those things in racist, inflammatory ways. The only times I usually see people getting accused of being racist online is when they are actually saying racist things.

Are you able to link to some good examples of people talking about Islam, immigration or racism in ways which are not at all racist or inflammatory, but where the people expressing those views accused of being racist regardless?

Of course I’m bloody not I don’t save everything i see when scrolling forums and I’m sure you know that 🙄
And I don’t tend to air my views unless family and friends and we’re talking about politics etc, what’s the point ? Would only be accused of being racist/discriminating

That’s so strange.

I never get called racist or discriminatory when sharing my views, even with my family and friends.

You think you’re being clever don’t you but you just sound like a nause.
I’ve never been called racist in my life, but have seen it happen to plenty of others. That is all. Btw, this started because I said I didn’t like religion or Islam, that is allowed you know, you can’t be forced to like something/agree with it.

I'm not sure why you think I'm trying to shame you or prevent you from holding an opinion.

As I've said, I'm an atheist personally and I find that all religions are (in my view) flawed. I also acknowledge that they have played their part in many of the world's conflicts etc, though I rather suspect that men people would find other things to fight about if we banned all religion.

However, I think the reality is much more nuanced than the picture that you're presenting. While religion can and does cause conflict sometimes, it also brings people immense comfort, purpose and meaning. And all religions can motivate people to incredible acts of kindness and compassion as well.

Ultimately, I think a lot comes down to how an individual chooses to interpret their religion and reflect it in their daily lives. There are some really good religious people of all faiths, and some really bad ones. And lots in between. Pretty much the same as atheists really.

No you don’t have to. Your reason was ok.

What resolution?

You don’t have to like anything.

My partner doesn’t like mushrooms, but I’m not sure he’d advocate for banning them. He just doesn’t eat them.

If you don’t like Islam, don’t be a Muslim. That’s okay.

It is fairly strange to be insistent that people are called racist for not saying racist things, but to not actually have any examples of that?

Ok, so you haven't got any examples to evidence your claim. Fair enough.

I honestly don't know why anyone would be afraid of getting accused of being racist or discriminatory if they know how to express themselves in non-racist, non-discriminatory terms.

Perhaps the issue is that people don't really understand what constitutes racism or discriminatory language and so they are not confident about saying what they think.

I do understand religion can bring comfort to some, I really do, but I still think ultimately it’s a bad thing when there are extremists. I also think it was created in the beginning as a form of control, to frighten people, if you’re not good you’ll go to hell etc. on the subject of Islam I used to live in a very high Muslim area, I had friends who were Muslims, and some of their views were concerning, agreeing with 9/11 and all sorts. I was spat on by a young Muslim once for literally glancing at him ! The school did a whole assembly about respecting women after that (I went to the school about it as he was wearing school uniform and because I was so upset I’d been spat on and the headteacher told me they saw it all the time, even towards their own mums) so maybe that skews my opinion.

I’m not confident anymore as you don’t know who you’re talking to and how they’re going to take differing views either. Plus I’m autistic so not the best at speaking to people anyway !