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January 25, 2007
Why do they Call it Islamophobia?
"Islamophobia" implies that one is afraid of Islam, although it's usually conflated into fear of Muslims, because what's really being talked about is usually being against the tenets of Islam. Clearly, they cannot use "islamist" the way they use "racist", because "islamist" is taken. In fact, it's taken by the very people who inspire what is usually called "islamophobia", but is really anti-islamism.
And I am, frankly and proudly, anti-islamist, the same way and with the same pride that I am anti-fascist and anti-communist: I am against any systematic state control of private lives, and I am particularly against any state control of religion (which in a sense is a tenet of islamism, fascism and communism all.
Why, yes, I have been listening to NPR. Why do you ask?
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Comments
Can I be islamist-neutral but anti-islamofacist?
Posted by: queuno at January 27, 2007 9:54 AM
Sure, if you can explain the difference between Islamist and Islamofascist.
Posted by: Jeff Medcalf at January 27, 2007 11:20 AM