As with all treatments of “Islamophobia,” the word is not defined here. This is irresponsible, as the word is commonly used to refer to two distinct and unrelated phenomena: crimes against innocent Muslims, which are never justified, and honest analysis of the motivating ideology of jihad terror, which is always necessary. Those who use the word are trying to silence the latter by conflating it with the former. If they really want to stop “Islamophobia,” all they need do is stop the jihad violence and proclamations (as well as intentions) of impending hegemony. But they don’t really want to end “Islamophobia,” they want to use their victimhood status to continue to receive special consideration and privilege.
“Why Islamophobia in Europe is getting worse,” by Enes Bayrakli and Farid Hafez, EU Observer, September 16, 2022:
History was made back in March, when the United Nations unanimously declared the 15th to be an annual International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The resolution was accepted by every single member of the UN — although not without discussion.
It was no surprise that India, where experts warn of an impending ‘genocide’ of Muslims, uttered criticism, but it should not pass unnoticed that two European speakers joined in the chorus: both the representation of France and the representative of the European Union (as an observer) expressed criticism of the resolution.
Although the French did not oppose the resolution in the end, it shows that there are major forces within Europe, and especially countries like France, that are investing less in the fight against Islamophobia, and more — as again the example of France reveals — into normalising Islamophobia.
And it seems that other worrying developments such as the rise of the far-right in European nation states are pushing this trend.
Although the far-right FPÖ in Austria and the League in Italy had only a short-lived time in government, a revitalisation of the far-right has already led to the far-right Sweden Democrats becoming the second-largest party in last week’s national elections that makes it prepared for joining government the first time ever.
And in Italy again, far-right leader Georgia Meloni prepares with her party Brothers of Italy for becoming prime minister in next week’s elections as part of a coalition with other far-right parties including the League.
With these developments in mind, we have released our seventh annual European Islamophobia Report.
The state of Islamophobia in Europe continues to be problematic with many policies which we have criticised in previous reports being further implemented —not least, the dissolution of Islamophobia watchdog organisations in France….
