Intolerance of Islam a.k.a. Islamophobia
('Star and Cresent')
Islamaphobia is commonly believed to have erupted because of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001. To the contrary, Islamaphobia reared its ugly head long before then. Anti-Islam movements can be traced back as far as the 1500's through legislation that banned African Muslims from entering Europe mainly because of the fear of rebellion against those in charge. Even before then, Muslims know as Moors faced issues in Italy, England, and especially Spain. In 1492 the Moors were expelled from Spain by the Caltholic king and queen;
Ferdinand of Castile and Queen of Aragon.
Jump forward to August 7th, 1998 when Osama Bin Laden was behind the bombing of United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Nairobi, and Kenya, where the death toll reached over two hundred people. Only three years later the tragedy that would be known as "9/11",once again associated with Bin Laden, pushed the hearts and minds of many Americans against Islam. Ever since, the world has been in an uproar, fighting the newest "threat" of Islam.
Where people are mistaken, is in the generalization of Muslims and terrorists. The idea that all Muslims are terrorists and vise versa is becoming a popular, but an inaccurate, belief. Muslim terrorists do exist, such as the familiar Saudi Arabian Bin Laden, however they are a radical group of the religion, known as extremists. Islam is not the only religion to contain extremists, they exist in all religions in some shape or form. It is unjust to allow this small sect of Islam to blemish the reputation of all other peaceful practicing Muslims across the globe.
Due to all of these factors, people of the Islamic faith have become subject to an increasing number of hate crimes. Not only have they been targeted through individual acts of violence and verbal torment, even legislation has infringed on their religion. In April of 2011 controversial history was made when President Sarkozy instituted the ban on the burqa and niqab in France. Even the Swiss passed a restriction on building minarets on mosques. Constructing new mosques in general has become an issue in the United States. The most well known case of this is the Islamic center that has been given the nickname "The Ground Zero Mosque." Even though the center would be built a few blocks away, people have gathered in protest against the idea of building a mosque so close to the site of what represents Islam, at least, the misconception of Islam.
Ferdinand of Castile and Queen of Aragon.
Jump forward to August 7th, 1998 when Osama Bin Laden was behind the bombing of United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Nairobi, and Kenya, where the death toll reached over two hundred people. Only three years later the tragedy that would be known as "9/11",once again associated with Bin Laden, pushed the hearts and minds of many Americans against Islam. Ever since, the world has been in an uproar, fighting the newest "threat" of Islam.
Where people are mistaken, is in the generalization of Muslims and terrorists. The idea that all Muslims are terrorists and vise versa is becoming a popular, but an inaccurate, belief. Muslim terrorists do exist, such as the familiar Saudi Arabian Bin Laden, however they are a radical group of the religion, known as extremists. Islam is not the only religion to contain extremists, they exist in all religions in some shape or form. It is unjust to allow this small sect of Islam to blemish the reputation of all other peaceful practicing Muslims across the globe.
Due to all of these factors, people of the Islamic faith have become subject to an increasing number of hate crimes. Not only have they been targeted through individual acts of violence and verbal torment, even legislation has infringed on their religion. In April of 2011 controversial history was made when President Sarkozy instituted the ban on the burqa and niqab in France. Even the Swiss passed a restriction on building minarets on mosques. Constructing new mosques in general has become an issue in the United States. The most well known case of this is the Islamic center that has been given the nickname "The Ground Zero Mosque." Even though the center would be built a few blocks away, people have gathered in protest against the idea of building a mosque so close to the site of what represents Islam, at least, the misconception of Islam.
'Attitude Towards Islam'
