Is ISLAMAPHOBIA FOR REAL? – Do You Have It? Are You A Victim?
I had a chance to interview two fascinating men for my Comcast Voice of Reason Show this week, and what a subject – the fear and anxiety surrounding Muslims in America in the years after 9/11 and as we watch militant Islam erupt in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and of course, Pakistan.
The subject of the show is a sensitive and controversial book by Wesleyan Professor Peter Gottschalk called “ISLAMAPHOBIA.” Spencer says that many Americans are obsessed wih the fear of Islam, so much so that American Muslims also live in fear of their neighbors. The second guest is Robert Spencer, head of Jihad Watch, who has chronicled the American Muslim reaction to terror here at home and overseas.
What fascinated me about this discussion was how edgy the issue is, how firmly it is rooted on both sides of the divide. Spencer charges that Islamaphobia does exist because peace-loving Muslims fail to condemn Islamic terror, and that their silence creates more fear around them, and more isolation. Gottschalk takes issue, saying that most American Muslims decry violence, but he does admit that at times, they are reluctant to criticize some militant actions.
Another source of debate: that some of the Islamic organizations in this country do great community work, but also support Hamas and Hezbollah, two organizations that are involved in blatant terror. I found that interviewing the two was difficult, because the issue itself is so divisive. And even talking about it creates divisions and controversy.
I think that is good. If Americans are infected with Islamaphobia, and if Muslims are in fear of that phobia, the more we talk about it, the better off we are. The fear factor is a major problem in our society today. In a nation obsessed with racial and religious differences, dialogue trumps acts of violence and intolerance.
The program airs tomorrow (Sunday) night at 9:3o on CN8 and is available on Video on Demand, after the original broadcast.
After watching, you might ask yourself if you are a victim or a proponent of Islamaphobia.
Comments(10)
Spencer is right that the silence is deafening from Muslims in America. I think views of them would be different if we heard more of them speaking out against violence and terrorism.
I’m pro-life, but I’ll speak out against violence committed outside abortion clinics – that’s just as wrong as the violence that’s committed every day inside the clinics.
I found one line in your writing interesting – “In a nation obsessed with racial and religious differences….”
In my opinion, this “obsession” has been brought on by the race peddlers who use race for political or financial purposes (and we all know who they are).
I’ve always thought this “celebrate diversity” stuff that we are force fed is absolutely the wrong way to go. Instead of “celebrating” and emphasizing our differences, we should be realizing how many ways we all are the SAME.
On a totally different note, I find it really interesting that there has been NO mention in the mainstream media about the arrest of Hillary Clinton senior advisor Sid Blumenthal for aggravated DUI a day before the primary – it’s almost a week gone by and no mention in the Inquirer, Daily News, AbcNbcCbsMsnbc…
It was reported in the local New Hampshire paper (http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080112/NEWS01/909595977/-1/news), but no where else… seems to be suppressed by the Democrat-Media Complex.
You must read the new book by Brigette Gabriel “Because They Hate”.She was raised in Lebannon and she tells you that if you are christian or jewish the muslins want you dead,end of story.
Islam can not live with western civilization,they believe in killing the infidel,and the western world is the infidel.
The only practicing Muslims I know work at a nearby gas station. I know they worship Allah because I sometimes catch them facing Mecca, praying. I wouldn’t say I was afraid of them. Maybe it’s because they are locked up in a glass booth. We usually exchange a few friendly words and that’s about it.
The guy that really scares me is the night shift operator at the station. He uses a bicycle for transportation. He won’t own a car. He’s a white guy in his late forties who will go off on an oratory binge about the government or big business at that drop of a hat. Where he gets his opinions is beyond me. He’s always referencing books for me to read but I usually toss the information away. I know he isn’t the unabomber but why would a person so anti technology work for a gas station?
I don’t have to say much more than hello
to get him started. His oratory skills make Obama look tongue tied. He knows exactly what he is saying and why he is saying it. Not to digress but these neo-fascist-anti-technology extremists scare me a lot more than extreme Islamics. The funny thing is both extremes want us
to revert back into a prehistoric state.
I don’t worry too much about the militants. It’s always the rabble rousers that stir people up that cause the problem. Most would-be terrorists would otherwise have better things to do than strap on a bomb or travel to some training camp. But some clown gets them worked up, blaming somebody else for the sins of the world. That’s an old story, tried and true through the centuries. It doesn’t matter whether it was national, religious or even economic fervor that’s the ruse.
The muslims I know are about as muslim as I am a catholic. But somehow, I think that if muslims around the world all subscribed to the violent teachings the we seem to assume that Islam is, the world would be a noisier place.
Mr Kane.
Sadly, many of the fears about Islam are well founded. There is not an Islamic Country in the Middle or Far East that has even a remote tolerance of western beliefs. I’ve spent the better part of the last three years in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East and actually have a basis for my opinions other than a gut feeling. It is conservatively estimated that between 10 and 15% of all Mosques in this country have Imams preaching and extolling their attendees to Jihad against all non-believers. The reason that most Arabic people in this Country do not speak out about the seeming Islamic intolerance towards Christianity is because they support the intolerance for the greater part or are fearful they will be retaliated against by other Arabs. It makes no difference what the Quran states, what matters is how it is being interpreted by rather radical Imans who substantially control most of the Rhetoric coming out of their Mosques. This Country has been tolerant of views different from the majorities for a long time. Countries governed by the rule of Islam are some of the most repressive and hostile governments in the world towards Christians and Jews. Take some time to learn about Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, the Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan and Nigeria. Christian Churches are not even permitted in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. Yet Saudi Arabia is permitted to finance, and construct Mosques and Arabic schools in this Country and the States where they are built are not permitted to review the curriculum being taught in these schools. Does this seem to even the most delusional amongst us to be a tolerant religion? Sorry for having written such a lengthy response but I am astounded and concerned about how grotesquely ignorant so many Americans are regarding Islam and so many of it’s adherents.
Hello, Larry and Happy New Year!
Islamophobia? I suppose it is real if one’s fear of islam is indeed irrational. However, if one studies what the q’uran says, particularly concerning ‘infidels’, and how radical islamists interpret the text, then there may well be a need for concern. This is not to say that all who practice islam are terrorists – I am not saying that, nor am I suggesting that. I deal with muslims on a daily basis, and yes, I do deal with the worst of the worst as an interrogator on the front lines in the global war on terror (As a Defense Contractor and a 20-year Army retiree), so I feel a little qualified on the subject.
I have met many muslims who I feel are good people. I have met good muslims who have gotten themselves involved in bad things for some interesting reasons.
I have even talked with muslims who have wanted to kill anything American – including the interrogator on the other side of the table. Do I hate them? Believe it or not, Larry (and readers), I do not. I certainly hate the things that some of them do, but I do not hate the people themselves. I enjoy it when I have a detainee before me for no apparent good reason other than they happen to be from a neighborhood known to have radical insurgents. Talk about profiling – our soldiers will roll-up (that is detain) all military aged males in a village because they are Iraqi Arab Males and a ‘known insurgent’ might have been nearby. This does not do much in the way of winning ‘hearts and minds’ of these folks, and needless to say, many are none too happy about being arrested without explanation.
I have met many good muslims. I do not hate people, I do hate the things that some do or say. I am not their judge as a person – that job belongs to God – yes God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and provider of life – He gave it to us — He can take it away!
So many of the Iraqi people with whom I have spoken in my time here are good people with a good heart and a firm faith in their god. I may personally diasgree with their belief system, but as a people, I have great respect, especially for those fighting so hard to reclaim this historic part of the world, the Cradle of Civilization in the Land of the Two Rivers (Tigris and Euphrates) and restore it to its prior glory.
I have read the book – I knows the ending – and I have no doubt how I will end up. God is so good! May He bless America, and even more importantly, may America Bless God!
It is not a phobia to be suspicious of people who have clearly stated their desire is to kill those who do not agree with them. And I might add have followed through with those statements with alarming frequency. Those who claim to be offended, for the most part never condemn the acts of their brethren, so we must assume their silence equates to acceptance.
Marty is right – a “phobia” is an irrational fear.
Well, if you consider:
- US hostages in Iran
- Achille Lauro hijacking
- Hostages in the 80′s and 90′s
- Bombings against US embassies
- Pan Am flight 103 over Scotland
- CIA shootings in Virginia in 1997
- USS Cole
- First World Trade Center bombing
- Flying planes into the WTC on 9/11
- Reporter Daniel Pearl killing
- Bali, Indonedia bombing
and on and on…
Just add up all of the terrorist acts committed within the last 20 years against the US. You would have to say 90+% of them were committed by people with one thing in common – Islam.
So you certainly cannot say that a “phobia” involving Islam is irrational.
Are there any Muslims out there who will stand up and renounce the actions of their demented brethren? If my religion
had subjects who were constantly being accused of horrific acts I certainly would step up to renounce their actions.
Maybe no Muslims read this blog.
I couldn’t agree with the post above me more. Will any Muslims stand up and say “killing in my religion’s name is unacceptable?” I highly doubt it, as it’s written in the koran to do away with unbelievers (thanks to Temple’s IH program for making me read it). I mean seriously, scumbags who kill abortion doctors in the name of Christianity are just that: scumbags who deserve life in prison (or, ironically, death, if that’s what the state sanctions). Why is it so hard for adherents to Islam to say the same? Probably because their Holy Book says it is right and just to kill those who don’t believe. This is the type of problem that won’t go away until organized religion goes away.