runymede report

Submitted by Abigail (United States), Aug 6, 2009 at 23:50

Which of these are, in fact, untrue?

The Runnymede report identified eight perceptions related to Islamophobia:

1. Islam is seen as a monolithic bloc, static and unresponsive to change. TRUE
   
2. It is seen as separate and "other." It does not have values in common with other cultures, is not affected by them and does not influence them. TRUE
   
3. It is seen as inferior to the West. It is seen as barbaric, irrational, primitive, and sexist. TRUE
   
4. It is seen as violent, aggressive, threatening, supportive of terrorism, and engaged in a clash of civilizations. TRUE
   
5. It is seen as a political ideology, used for political or military advantage. TRUE
   
6. Criticisms made of "the West" by Muslims are rejected out of hand. TRUE
   
7. Hostility towards Islam is used to justify discriminatory practices towards Muslims and exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society. FALSE
   
8. Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural and normal. FALSE

Clearly, the "hostility" originates with Islam because Islam is hostile to anything unIslamic. It is Islam that can not change. It is Islam which is a monolithic non-pluralistic bloc. It is Islam which says that the greater the fear of Allah the greater is the proof of faith. The muslim must fear Allah but the muslim also wants Islam to rule the world. Therefore, "Islamophobia" is the fear of fear itself. Who wants to be ruled by fear? Only muslims, yet it is the muslims who accuse the non-muslims of fearing the muslims when the muslims admit and declare that all men must fear Allah and Islam. In other words, if someone does not fear Allah and Islam he is an "enemy."

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".