Islamophobia

Islamophobia is a phobic reaction of non-Islamic people toward Muslims, as well as feelings of negative emotions such as anger and contempt toward Islam and Muslims. The term is derived from the Greek word phobos, denoting overanxiety in relation to an object (such as being more anxious about Muslims than is justified by reality). In social psychology, the meaning of the term is even broader; it may refer to rejection and devaluation of Islam and Muslim people and may be synonymous with prejudice against Muslim people. In recent years, Islamophobia has become a more prominent topic in political and social debates. This entry briefly outlines the history of Muslim-Christian history and its effect on Islamophobia describes some social psycho logical causes that explain the emergence ...