.... Well...it seems to me that the most important distinction here is altogether missing. The reason people object to the term Islamophobia is because it conflates two separate issues: prejudice against Muslims and criticism of Islam.
Prejudice against Muslims - that is, anti-Muslim bigotry - should be condemned. No one should be discriminated against (within reason) because of their beliefs.
Criticism of Islam, on the other hand, is entirely acceptable: indeed given Islam's record of misogyny homophobia and intolerance it should be just about obligatory for anyone who thinks of themselves as liberal. [Mick Hartley] Read more