Can someone explain Islamophobia to me?

[BaMamma]

I don't think I have an irrational fear of Muslims, but I think I have a reasonable concern about radical Islam, does that make me Islamophobic?

Well my Catholic classmates never took responsibility for acknowledging there was a problem with the Catholic Church so looks like it’s a common failing then.

Not at the time it wasn't. It took years to even acknowlege that there was racism involved in the failure to prosecute the killers and many years to learn the lessons. People have heard of him because his family and allies refused to let everyone involved turn a blind eye, in the face of huge opposition and at great personal cost.

I’m Catholic and I have zero issues acknowledging it, hence my bringing it up here.

To answer the question in your OP: No, I don't think anyone can explain Islamophobia to you @BaMamma. As the saying goes, you can take a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.🤷‍♀️

Absolutely but the level of public feeling toward the case was very high, and there is an enduring legacy. Ross Parker basically never existed, we don’t think of him when we think of racist murders in the UK.

Good for you. Maybe you need to speak to your fellow Catholics to get them to be louder in their condemnation.

Yes, you're right. I had forgotten about Ross Parker, I have to admit.

I have. This is from only a month ago

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/20/pope-dissolves-sodalitium-of-christian-life-peru-catholic-movement-vatican-investigation

Do you think the Muslim Council will ever launch a broad investigation into the issues we have been discussing? Cousin marriage, for example? Will it even openly condemn it?

But most Muslim majority countries don’t have women walking around wearing burqas and governed by men at all times

Give me one Muslim country where woman are seen as equals to men. I’ll wait…

You were responsible for that? Amazing, well done! I’ll put you in touch with my Catholic classmates so that you can speak to them too and arrange for them to make public statements condemning the Catholic Church.

Re MCB, I genuinely don’t know.

Well I don’t know any country in the world where women are truly equal and free from discrimination and sexual harassment.

But there are several countries in the Middle East where women study, work, drive, choose their own husbands, go out freely, etc.

Yes but we have LAWS to state we are equal.

Ah yes the Middle East. Wasn’t it Saudi Arabia where women were finally allowed to drive in 2018. It’s progress I suppose.

Ah so you see the Middle East is comprised of several countries, of which Saudi is just one.

And whilst equality in the eyes of the law hasn’t been fully established, progress is being made, though I believe the UAE has made the most progress.

Is any of the following Islamophobic?

I find Islam to be uniquely problematic amongst the world religions. It appears to lend itself to extreme interpretation of religious texts. More violence is commited in its name than other religions.

I'm aware historically speaking other religions have also been extremely violent, thinking of the carnage spread across medieval Europe and the Crusades in the name of Christianity in particular... but other belief systems seem to have adjusted for the most part to modern sensibilities.

I'm not at all afraid to meet Muslim women but sometimes on edge meeting Muslim men, particularly if they have bruises on their foreheads, which I assume means they are more devout. I've experienced harassment travelling as a single woman in Muslim countries that I haven't experienced in Europe ( or Israel or Africa or America actually ) this has also contributed to my discomfort.

Is any of that Islamophobic?

Which countries are these, please?

Yes, it’s islamophobic.

Thanks. Can you show me where?

In fact, if you’re looking for a good primer on what Islamophobia looks like, this is it.

Great. Thanks. Can you explain how and what in particular?

1. Singling out Islam as exceptional and different, more problematic that other beliefs, intends to promote fear and hatred.
2. The claim that more violence is committed in the name of Islam than other ideologies or belief systems, not in line with reality.
3. Making negative comparisons between Islam and other religions. Portraying Islam as backward and not in step with the modern world.
4. Fear/stereotyping of Muslim men.

I'm an atheist.

I do think I should be allowed to question organised religion when it is the precise reason our beautiful planet and innocent children are blown up in its name.

There are so many reasons to question religion, including treatment of women and girls

I'm wondering why we've created a system where it becomes difficult to do so

You’ve posted two different definitions.

Which one do you prefer?

I think the second one is right and the first one is overly broad (‘dislike of Islam’).

OK. Thanks for this.

1. Islam is more problematic. Hindus, Sikhs etc don’t carry out extreme terror acts in the west.
2. Most of the acts of terror carried out in Europe are in the name of Islam.
3. Stoning women to death, honour killings etc is hardly in line with modern life
4. See no. 1

I am in no way saying all Muslims are terrorists and I’ve no doubt most are peaceful going about their lives but to say we shouldn’t be concerned with the rise of islamists in this country and across Europe is disingenuous.