The Major Issue of Islamophobia in American Politics, Government, and Society

Islamophobia fear and prejudice of being against the religion of Islam and Muslims. A phobia is an irrational fear, though some say it isn't irrational to fear Muslims. Though people think islamophobia affected people after 9/11, the term was created in the 1980’s. There are four types of islamophobia. First is discrimination against Muslims because of their beliefs and values. Second is called post-reflective personal islamophobia discrimination this is when people believe ideals of islam are inferior to those of the west. Thirdly, institutional islamophobia this happens when in social situations when people intentionally ignore the beliefs of Islamic and or Muslim people. Lastly is political islamophobia where politicians use it to to their advantage for popularity.The cause of islamophobia could be attributed to numerous factors like 9/11, our own personal beliefs and others beliefs that are imposed on us. However, the main cause is undoubtedly the media. Islamophobia was a problem all over America for about nine weeks after 9/11. Hate crimes against muslims had risen to 1600% from 554%.

Opinion

Many incidents of islamophobia have been violent. I think it would be a good idea to cautious around a suspected terrorist in a non-violent way and to always be aware of our surroundings. It’s never a good idea to take matters into your own hands by attacking either verbally or physically someone that you deem suspicious. The right thing to do would be to alert authorities of anything that seems suspicious. But you must not say that someone is a terrorist just because of their religion or ethnicity. Islamophobia is a problem because people make it violent. The best way to deal with any phobia is to seek out the help of a professional.

Source Citation

"Islamophobia." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2015. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.

On September twenty first the leading Muslim civil liberties group asked republican Ben Carson to drop out of the presidential race, because he said he doesn't believe any Muslim should be president. They are saying he is unfit to lead saying his views are inconsistent with the constitution. Both Donald Trump And Hillary Clinton condemned his comments.

Opinion

I think if there was a muslim running for president I would support him if he was in my political party. Though Ben Carson is speaking his opinion you don't have to agree or vote for him.

Source Citation

"Muslim-American group calls on Ben Carson to drop out." CNN Wire 21 Sept. 2015. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.

About ten years after 9/11 America's unsettled relationship with Islam went on at two congressional hearings. Peter King undertook radicalization with Muslim Americans. Though former president George W. Bush said that “Islam was a peaceful religion hijacked by violent extremists.” (Young, 1) But right now there isn't a Christian or Jewish country that executes people for religious crimes, though many Muslim states do. As Muslims are marked as almost a quarter of the world's population they are put down as a top priority.

Opinion:

Trying to make America non-Muslim is not possible. As George Bush said Islam was peaceful until hijacked by violent extremists. However, most of them aren't extremists. They should only be trying to get rid of extremists. Furthermore, we should not be stereotyping the Muslim people. Doing so just makes the current problems we have worse.

Source Citation

Young, Cathy. "Fear of a Muslim America: in the fight against radical Islam, conservatives are trying to limit the property and speech rights of peaceful American Muslims." Reason Aug.-Sept. 2011: 20+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.

In London a woman wearing a hijab was punched unconscious, abused verbally and spat on. Crimes like these had doubled from 406 to 800. This could almost be considered epidemic. When other Muslim women were interviewed they said they had similar experiences, but they were too afraid to go to the police. This problem is just exacerbating matters. “Victims also warn that Islamophobic attacks are making young Muslims vulnerable to extremist recruiters.” (Churchill ,1)

Opinion

These attacks on Muslim women are exacerbating current matters and eventually could cause the stereotypes to be true. The women left their homes to get away from problems like these. There isn't really anywhere safe for them.