30 January 2011

Islamophobia: does Labour measure up?

"The Islamophobia Myth" was the title of an influential article by Kenan Malik published in the February 2005 issue of Prospect magazine.

It argued that violence, hatred and discrimination against Muslims were at a very low level and that the threat of Islamophobia had been invented or at least greatly exaggerated, mainly by religious leaders hoping to suppress legitimate criticisms of their beliefs and to enhance their own status as community representatives. Malik's thesis was welcomed in some quarters at the time, including among sections of the left. [Islamophobia Watch] Read more

Bob Pitt’s new article (abridged version) Liberal and leftist Islamophobia is typically couched in terms of a defence of Enlightenment values, secularism, feminism or gay rights … Nick Cohen … Muslim Association of Britain … the Palestinian people’s oppression by the Israeli state … Zionist agenda … Palestinian resistance … the Muslim Council of Britain with its 500 affiliates … Daud Abdullah … British foreign policy … placed the blame on Islamist ideology …. [Harry’s Place] Read more