The meaning of the word “Islamophobia” is prejudice against, hatred towards, or fear of Muslims or of ethnic groups perceived to be Muslim. While the term is widely recognized and used, both the term and the underlying concept have been criticized as a form of racism and discrimination.
It is wrong to discriminate against someone because of their ethnic origin or the color of their skin? Then why do some people see it to be acceptable to discriminate against someone because of a harsh and biased generalization of their religion, and freedom of speech.
Recent events have generated a lot of debate about Islam, Muslims and freedom of speech. Unfortunately, much of that debate has fallen back upon tired arguments about not only what “Muslims are like” but also how those who oppose Islamophobia are somehow defending oppression or defending the unforgivable acts of extremists, for example 9.11.