Islamophobia

Interesting point about fear of the IRA. Was there a word similar to islamophobia and anti-semitism to describe those particular terrorists?
Asking, because I can't remember one.

Terribull, a good post.

DD was in London, travelling to work on 7th July 2005 and remembers the horrors of that day.
It doesn't mean that she does not have friends now who are Muslim.

People are solely not defined by their race or religion.

Maremia

Interesting point about fear of the IRA. Was there a word similar to islamophobia and anti-semitism to describe those particular terrorists?
Asking, because I can't remember one.

There was a lot of stereotyping and racist tropes regarding Irish people not just during the troubles but before when landlords would stipulate, no blacks, no Irish, no dogs.
Again is rooted in racism so perhaps if we just call it that.

Most racism stems from ignorance/fear so am not sure why when it comes to Muslims the word ‘phobia’ is used but not with regard to other groups.
I think it can be unhelpful and that we should refer to racism or something rooted in racism rather than using other words that can muddy the waters.

But it's not racism. White British people are Muslim. DD's Bosnian friend is Muslim.

Islam is a religion, not a race.

Maybe some of our Linguists from the Pedants Corner could help with the different derivations of these words.

Google definitions are quite varied. Some say, yes it is racist. Ohers say quasi racist.

Fear is not necessarily the same as ignorance, sometimes, but not always, Fear can be under pinned by actual catastrophic scenarios that have been reinforced by government warnings telling us they are raising risk factors to the highest level as threats could be imminent.

Do you mean like the difference between a prejudice and a bigotry?

Allira

But it's not racism. White British people are Muslim. DD's Bosnian friend is Muslim.

Islam is a religion, not a race.

OK! So it's not racism - it's Islamophobia! That's why irrational fear of Islam has its own word.

Antisemitism isn't racist either. All these words are relatively modern inventions. Most sane people know the commonly understood definitions. Anything else is slippery semantics.

Words aren't necessarily the sum of their component morphemes.

I wonder if the word islamaphobia started with those terrorists who bombed London and Manchester for instance and would shout For Islam!
They are very frightening people and did cause phobia.

TerriBull

Fear is not necessarily the same as ignorance, sometimes, but not always, Fear can be under pinned by actual catastrophic scenarios that have been reinforced by government warnings telling us they are raising risk factors to the highest level as threats could be imminent.

That kind of fear wouldn't be described as a phobia. A phobia is an irrational fear.

In any case, Islamophobia has come to mean something more than "fear". Words change their nuances of meaning all the time.

Before that AGAA4, in 1923 from a similar French word.

AGAA4

I wonder if the word islamaphobia started with those terrorists who bombed London and Manchester for instance and would shout For Islam!
They are very frightening people and did cause phobia.

That kind of fear would be understandable but it's still irrational.

I have a feeling the word was in use long before those incidents (but I'll see if I can find out).

Babs03

Most racism stems from ignorance/fear so am not sure why when it comes to Muslims the word ‘phobia’ is used but not with regard to other groups.
I think it can be unhelpful and that we should refer to racism or something rooted in racism rather than using other words that can muddy the waters.

Wrong end of the stick.
Phobia is not being used against Muslims Babs03 Labour are bringing in the term Islamophobia!

It’s NOT Muslim-ophobia as I already said, up thread.

Maremia

Before that AGAA4, in 1923 from a similar French word.

Thank you! Saved me a job.

Ain't google great.

Sorry Fried, I'm not understanding your point.

Maremia

Before that AGAA4, in 1923 from a similar French word.

Thanks. It was just a thought. 🤔

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Babs03

Most racism stems from ignorance/fear so am not sure why when it comes to Muslims the word ‘phobia’ is used but not with regard to other groups.
I think it can be unhelpful and that we should refer to racism or something rooted in racism rather than using other words that can muddy the waters.

Wrong end of the stick.
Phobia is not being used against Muslims Babs03 Labour are bringing in the term Islamophobia!

It’s NOT Muslim-ophobia as I already said, up thread.

Nothing to do with Labour! Where on earth did you get that idea from?

Maybe you could explain in your own words the difference between Muslims and Islam - yes, we all know that Muslims are the followers of Islam.

As I have explained, words don't necessarily mean the same as the sum of their component parts. In today's world and context, Islamophobia is understood to be a hatred (possibly caused by ignorance/fear) of Islam and its followers (Muslims).

AGAA4

Maremia

Before that AGAA4, in 1923 from a similar French word.

Thanks. It was just a thought. 🤔

Aha! I'll look it up.

Babs03

@Teazel2

“Trying to find racism seems to occupy 99% of your thoughts!”

Which is absolutely splendid. Fighting racism which is a highly pernicious and damaging evil in our society is admirable, no?
Tbh most threads that I see are about the small boats crisis with some suggesting the RNLI stand by whilst people - some of them children - drown. This is the first I have seen about Islamophobia.

It is not splendid when it becomes obsessional, its becomes a mental health issue and is worrying.

Maremia

Before that AGAA4, in 1923 from a similar French word.

Yes! That's what Google reckons:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamophobia

Teazel2

Babs03

@Teazel2

“Trying to find racism seems to occupy 99% of your thoughts!”

Which is absolutely splendid. Fighting racism which is a highly pernicious and damaging evil in our society is admirable, no?
Tbh most threads that I see are about the small boats crisis with some suggesting the RNLI stand by whilst people - some of them children - drown. This is the first I have seen about Islamophobia.

It is not splendid when it becomes obsessional, its becomes a mental health issue and is worrying.

Worrying to whom? This looks like a classic attempt at gaslighting by you, which really is a mental health issue.

Thanks. I have opened the link now so you are right. Should have looked it up before posting but I'm not myself today. Don't know who I am.