The great truth that Islam Online can never admit, of course, is that not all negative perceptions of Islam are bigoted. I would identify four sources of negative perceptions of Islam: vulgar ethnic bigotry, realistic perceptions of a terrorist threat from Islamists, realistic negative perceptions based on true advantages of modern liberal culture over Islam, and knee-jerk chauvinistic perceptions based on supposed advantages of modern liberal culture over Islam and other traditional cultures. (Gender segregation in schools is not necessarily patriarchal oppression, for instance.)
To begin with, vulgar ethnic bigotry against Muslims does exist. European culture does contain traditional negative stereotypes of Muslims and there are unresolved tensions between immigrant communities (including Muslims) and older populations in various Western countries. References to "ragheads" would be an example of vulgar ethnic prejudice.
There is also a reality-based concern that the growing Muslim presence in various Western countries brings with it certain threats. There have been major terrorist attacks by Muslim extremists in America, Spain, and Britain. It does not require belief that all Muslims support terrorism to worry that a significant segment of the Muslim population does support terror and to worry that this segment is busy hatching more attacks. The extremists may be a minority among Muslims, but it is worth noting that they constitute a powerful minority. Until recently Muslim extremists controlled Afghanistan and they currently control Iran. The regime in Syria harbors and supports Islamist terrorist groups. The regime in Saudi Arabia has, or has had, a modus vivendi with the extremists. Two of the major Palestinian political parties are Muslim extremist groups (Islamic Jihad and Hamas), and the third, Fatah, features a group that terms itself a "Martyrs Brigade." Etc.
This concern may overestimate or underestimate the threat that actually exists, it may or may not take the form of suspicion that the threat is inherent to Islam, but whatever form it takes, it is likely to be mistakenly lumped together with vulgar ethnic bigotry as Islamophobia by Muslims and also by proponents of political correctness. This is especially true since this concern, though realistic, is actually also fueling an increase in vulgar ethnic bigotry.
Other concerns and perceptions of Islam may also involve varying mixtures of bigotry, chauvinism, and realism. There is the concern, for instance, that Islam may increase its power in the West (through a higher-than-average birthrate, for instance) to the point that it becomes a powerful influence on social norms and threatens Western norms such as freedom of speech and women's equality.
Any discussion of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism must also acknowledge that among the major religions, Muslims themselves stand out as the most receptive to anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. The recent Tsunami, the Jyllands-Posten Porphet cartoons, and the recent attacks on Muslim shrines in Iraq, have all been widely attributed to Jews by Muslims, including the government of Iran. The perception that the Muslim world is currently experiencing an epidemic of anti-Semitism (a correct perception when accompanied by the appropriate qualifications and limitations) actually and ironically contributes to the current anti-Muslim backlash in the West.
Tags: Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, terrorism, Islam, Judaism
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