Islamophobia facts for kids

A demonstration in Cologne; amongst others it was against Islamophobia (and right-wing nationalism in Germany)

A billboard saying that Islamic Law (Sharia) threatens America.

Islamophobia is a political term and a slur used against people critical of Islam. It literally means the fear of Muslims. It is sometimes used to describe a hatred of the religion and its followers. "Islamophobia" can supposedly take the form of criticisms against certain ideological positions taken by believers but almost always state the religion itself as the actual problem.

In 1996, the Runnymede Trust researched public opinions about Islam. The research showed people have different opinions about Islam. The most negative opinions that some people have about Islam are:

1. That the Islamic World ("Islam") is seen as a single block that will not change.
2. That Islam does not have common values with other cultures.
3. That Islam is inferior to "the West". It has a barbaric culture, which is also irrational and sexist.
4. That they think Islam is aggressive and threatening. Some people think it supports terrorism.
5. That it is seen as an ideology which can be used in politics or war.
6. That if Muslims criticise "the West", these criticisms are not tolerated.
7. That Muslims are discriminated against in society, Islamophobia is used as a justification.
8. That hostility against Muslims is seen as natural and normal.

A study found that Muslim women experienced Islamophobic attacks more often than Muslim men, but almost all are committed by Muslim men.

In France it is illegal for Muslim women to wear veils (burkas and niqabs) that cover their faces.

Related pages

• Racism - the idea that one race is better than most or all of the others
• Antisemitism - the hatred of Jews

Images for kids

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  Speaker at demonstration of initiative We don't want Islam in the Czech Republic on 14 March 2015 in České Budějovice, Czech Republic

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  Hindu nationalist politician Arun Pathak organised a celebration in Varanasi to commemorate the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid mosque.

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  The 2014 anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka followed rallies by Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), a hard-line Buddhist group.

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  An anti-Islam protest in the United States

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  An English Defence League demonstration. The placard reads Shut down the mosque command and control centre.

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  Anti-Islam rally in Poland in 2015

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  An anti-Islamic protest in Poland

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  A protester opposing the Park51 project carries an anti-sharia sign.

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  Rohingya Muslim refugees fleeing violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar in October 2017

See also

In Spanish: Islamofobia para niños