Distinguishing between Islamophobia and a rational critique of Islam

Secular June 22, 2013 By: Michael Stone

Progressives must distinguish between Islamophobia and a rational critique of Islam if they are to successfully understand and navigate contemporary political discourse.

Currently many progressives confuse Islamophobia (an irrational fear of the other that manifests itself as an obnoxious bigotry towards all things Muslim), with a rational critique of Islam that considers the very real danger that Islamic extremists pose to civil society.

Progressives are right to be suspicious and contemptuous of Islamophobia. Islamophobia is real, and often takes the form of anti-Asian and/or anti-Arab racism. For example, an Islamophobe is someone who believes all Muslims are terrorists, or all Muslims support terrorist activity; an Islamophobe is someone who believes that Muslims should not be allowed to build mosques, or otherwise worship freely; an Islamophobe hates or fears all Muslims in virtue of the simple fact that they are Muslim, or appear to be Muslim.

With that said, it is important to note that Islam is not a race, it is not a skin color, it is not a sexual orientation. It is a religion. It is a set of beliefs and practices. And anyone should be able to question the legitimacy of any set of ideas, any set of beliefs and practices. Progressives must not lump together those who offer a rational critique of Islam, and those who espouse nothing but a simple minded and irrational bigotry and hatred towards Islam.

An Islamophobe is someone who makes negative, irrational generalizations concerning all Muslims. Often these negative, irrational generalizations about Muslims emanate from right wing, conservative Christians, who often espouse political positions antithetical progressive positions. Thus, it is understandable that some progressives may confuse a rational critique of Islam with the irrational fear that is Islamophobia, and reject both, throwing out the proverbial baby with the bathwater.

Progressives must not conflate a rational critique of Islam with Islamophobia. Being concerned about Islamic extremists having a negative impact on your country, another country, or the world at large, is not Islamophobia. Indeed, such a concern is only rational, given our recent shared history.

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