Islamophobia facts for kids

A demonstration in Cologne; people were protesting against Islamophobia and right-wing nationalism in Germany.

A billboard saying that Islamic Law (Sharia) threatens America.

Islamophobia is a term used to describe unfair treatment, strong dislike, or fear of Islam and Muslims. It can mean being against the religion itself or against people who follow it. Sometimes, people use the term "Islamophobia" when someone criticizes certain ideas within Islam, but it often means they see the entire religion as the problem.

What are some common ideas about Islam?

In 1996, a group called the Runnymede Trust studied what people thought about Islam. Their research showed different opinions. Some of the more negative ideas people had about Islam included:

• They thought the Islamic world was a single group that would never change.
• They believed Islam did not share common values with other cultures.
• They felt Islam was not as good as "the West," thinking its culture was unfair to women or not logical.
• They saw Islam as aggressive or threatening. Some people even thought it supported extreme violence.
• They viewed Islam as a political idea that could be used in government or war.
• They did not like it when Muslims criticized "the West."
• They thought that unfair treatment of Muslims in society was normal or acceptable.
• They used Islamophobia to try and justify treating Muslims unfairly.

A study found that Muslim women often experienced more unfriendly actions related to Islamophobia than Muslim men. However, the study also noted that most of these actions were done by Muslim men.

In France, it is against the law for Muslim women to wear face coverings like burkas and niqabs in public.

Related topics

• Racism - the idea that one group of people is better than others based on their background.
• Antisemitism - a strong dislike or unfair treatment of Jewish people.

More Images

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  A speaker at a protest in the Czech Republic in 2015. The group was called We don't want Islam in the Czech Republic.

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  Hindu nationalist politician Arun Pathak celebrated the 1992 tearing down of the Babri Masjid mosque.

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  Violent protests against Muslims in Sri Lanka in 2014 happened after rallies by a Buddhist group called Bodu Bala Sena.

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  A protest against Islam in the United States.

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  An English Defence League protest. The sign says Shut down the mosque command and control centre.

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  A protest against Islam in Poland in 2015.

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  Another protest against Islam in Poland.

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  A protester against the Park51 project holds a sign against Sharia law.

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  Rohingya Muslim refugees leaving their homes in Buddhist-majority Myanmar in October 2017 because of violence.

See also

In Spanish: Islamofobia para niños