More than a fear: Islamophobia and the power of misinformation

The differences between religions, cultures, and ideas often give rise to mutual denial and intolerance within societies. As a result of such tendencies, concepts like ethnocentrism—the belief in the superiority of one’s own culture while denigrating others; racism—the belief in the superiority of one race over others; and xenophobia—the fear or hatred of foreigners and people from different cultures, have emerged. Among these, some of the most dangerous and widespread are so-called phobias, which refer to religious intolerance. In particular, the concept of Islamophobia has become increasingly prominent as a form of intolerance toward Islam, a religion practiced by more than 2 billion people globally. Other terms that refer to hatred or fear of specific religions include Christianophobia (intolerance toward Christianity) and anti-Semitism (intolerance toward Judaism). This article, based on the conclusion of the Committee on Religious Affairs No. 03-07/1905 dated March 24, 2025, explores Islamophobia—its historical roots, modern causes, and consequences.

What is Islamophobia, and how did it arise?

To begin with, let’s consider some basic facts. Islam is the world’s second-largest religion, accounting for 24% of the global population, following Christianity at 31%. More than 2 billion of the Earth’s 8 billion inhabitants are Muslims. As of 2025, the five countries with the largest Muslim populations are:

• Indonesia – 242.7 million
• Pakistan – 240.7 million
• India – 200 million
• Bangladesh – 150.8 million
• Nigeria – 97 million

Islamophobia is generally defined as an irrational fear of or hostility toward Islam and Muslims. It often manifests as fear or distrust of Islamic beliefs and practices, ignorance of Muslim traditions and values, and negative stereotypes. This intolerance leads to the creation and reinforcement of harmful public images and societal biases.

Historical evidence shows that conflict and hatred between religions and peoples have existed for centuries, rooted in competing ideologies and political interests. Negative attitudes toward Islam and Muslims were present long before the term “Islamophobia” was coined. British sociologists Robert Miles and Malcolm Brown, in their study Racism, note that European perceptions of Islam began solidifying in the 12th and 13th centuries, portraying Muslims as “barbaric, immoral, and oppressive.” From the late 17th century onward, Muslims were no longer perceived as an external military threat to Europe, yet cultural differences sustained negative portrayals.

“By the end of the 20th century, the unjustified perception of Islam as a violent and dangerous religion revived and intensified after the events of 2001,” the study notes.

Aziza Nosirova, a senior lecturer at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History, told QALAMPIR.UZ that Islamophobia manifests not only at the individual level but also in social, political, and legal domains. According to her, the key aspects of Islamophobia include:

• Stereotypes and misconceptions – Islam is often unfairly associated with violence or radicalism.
• Discrimination and abuse – Muslims may be denied jobs or prevented from practicing their religion freely.
• Unfounded fears – People who lack sufficient knowledge about Islam may fear or view it as alien.
• Media influence – Negative portrayals of Muslims in the media perpetuate the notion that Islam is a threat.

As Nosirova highlights, the media plays a major role in fueling Islamophobia. In this context, American linguist Noam Chomsky famously said:

“If you control the media, you control the consciousness of society.”

In today’s information age, the media have become a powerful tool for shaping public opinion. News and entertainment influence people subtly over time, often reinforcing extreme views and irrational fears. The general lack of media literacy and fact-checking among audiences only exacerbates the issue. Take the film industry, for instance: decades of repeated negative portrayals have contributed to shaping biased public perceptions. Entire populations are blamed for the actions of individuals, turning isolated crimes into judgments against a person’s entire community, homeland, or religion.

Writing about media influence on Islamophobia, sociologist Navid Ghani observed that crimes committed by Muslims tend to be exaggerated, while cases where Muslims are victims receive far less coverage.

“The media approaches different crimes differently. This can be understood as a stereotype that associates Muslims with terrorism and the role of the media in reinforcing this perception,” he says.

Aziza Nosirova also notes that Islamophobia surfaces when certain forces seek to diminish the religion’s influence in society. These groups ignore Islam’s foundational principles of peace and development, attempting to undermine its value and place in the modern world.

“The religion of Islam, along with its immense cultural and spiritual heritage, has provided not only Muslims but also people of other faiths with a sense of social equality, which continues to serve the well-being of society. In particular, Islamic spirituality forms a stable basis for peaceful coexistence among nations and ethnic groups. The moral and ethical standards of Islamic teachings contribute greatly to this harmony,” she says.

Combating Islamophobia

In 2022, the United Nations, together with 60 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, declared March 15 the International Day for Combating Islamophobia. The resolution clearly stated that terrorism and extremism should never be linked to any religion, ethnicity, or nation.

According to the European Commission’s 2024 report Being a Muslim in the European Union, threats and hate crimes against Muslim communities in Europe have risen, particularly following the escalation of conflict between Hamas and Israel. In response, the EU issued a joint statement signed by Coordinators, Special Representatives, Ambassadors, and other officials, pledging to counter discrimination against Muslims.

Various countries are actively taking both legal and educational measures to address Islamophobia. Anti-discrimination laws are being introduced, and public education campaigns, academic conferences, and awareness programs are helping dispel myths and promote understanding.

Phobia is not only about Islam…

As discussed earlier, religious intolerance is not limited to Islam. Christianophobia, anti-Semitism, and Hinduphobia also exist in various parts of the world. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Christianophobia
Although not as widespread as Islamophobia, Christianophobia refers to hatred or hostility toward Christians. Today, this may appear relatively mild, but its consequences can still be serious. In some cases, Christians are viewed as unfit for certain professions because of their beliefs. For instance, Christian florists, event venue owners, or government employees who oppose same-sex marriage on religious grounds are sometimes punished for allegedly violating human rights. Similarly, those opposing abortion on religious grounds are accused of denying women’s rights. Parents who raise their children based on Christian values may be accused of indoctrination or taking away a child’s freedom of choice.

Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism is the hatred or discrimination against Jews. The term originated in German in the late 1800s as Antisemitismus. Between 1933 and 1945, Nazi Germany committed genocide against six million European Jews during the Holocaust.

Hinduphobia
This term describes offensive actions or attitudes toward Hindus and the Sanatan Dharma (Indian religions). It often involves denying the historical suffering of Hindus and portraying them as aggressive. Such stereotypes are sometimes used to justify erasing traditional Indian practices or imposing foreign norms. Hinduphobia can range from derogatory remarks to large-scale violence or even genocide.

In conclusion, the promotion of hatred toward any religion for political or personal gain not only violates the principle of religious freedom but also risks fueling broader societal and international conflict. Such prejudice often stems from stereotypes, political manipulation, and misinformation. Therefore, fostering tolerance and mutual respect between religions is vital. This can be achieved through comprehensive education, responsible media practices, and open dialogue between communities.