رهاب الإسلام
rihāb al-Islām
Topic
Prejudice, hostility or discrimination against Muslims because of their faith.
What it means
Many governments and rights bodies use the word for hatred of Muslims, and records show attacks on mosques and on people in Europe and North America. Criticising a belief is different from hating the people who hold it, and Muslims welcome an honest discussion of their religion. The Quran says: “Do not let hatred of a people make you unjust; be just, that is closer to piety” (5:8), and teaches kindness to those who do not fight Muslims over religion (60:8).
What the sources say
The word is disputed: some use it to shield ideas from criticism, others say that this misses the real harm to ordinary people. This entry takes the second sense, and welcomes the first kind of discussion.