Are people in UK less prone than Americans to tar all muslims with the same brush?

Question

I am shocked at the islamophobia on Y! Answers, and I slightly get the impression Americans may be worse than Brits - I may be wrong about this however. What does anyone think?

What exactly do people not understand about the question?

Answer 1

"What exactly do people not understand about the question?"

The British and American Muslim communities are quite different. In the USA there is far more assimilation and integration; and nests of Islamists aside, there isn't the disaffection and simmering hostility that exists in Britain among so many Muslims. Nor is the USA the headquarters for so many Salafist movements, loyal to the teachings of Sayyid Qutb and dedicated to Islamic revolution in their home countries.

The UK, like the USA, has its population of professionals and businesspeople of Muslim faith for whom politics means British politics and not Islamist politics.

But Political Islam has far deeper roots in Britain than America. This is in part becasuse political Islam has its own roots in Deoband, in British India. And also because Mulsim migrants to Britain were working class; to America until very recently they were scholars and professionals.

America, together with Germany, is home to modernist Islam -- the kind of "reformed" Islam that cannot exist in any Muslim country because its theologians, its philosophers, would be put to death as apostates and blasphemers.

Most of the "tarring" done by Americans is out of total ignorance. They seem not to realize that their homegrown Muslim communities are as likely to support Islamist terror as assimilated American Jews are to support the Koch movement founded by the late Meyer Kahane. Some, perhaps many, secular Muslims consider the devout somehow more "worthy of respect", but they wouldn't like to live that way, in a 7th Century time warp.

Or so it seems to me.

On the distinction between Islam and Political Islam, see the works of Gilles Kepel and Bernard Lewis. (And, ironically, some of the most advanced research into Islamic politics is conducted by Jewish scholars like these, and others in Israel. They, being deemed "the enemy" anyway, have little to fear of reprisals for apostasy, the way Salman Rushdie has. Both have built on the work of an earlier non-Jewish Orientalist, Joseph Schacht.)

Answer 2

Are the Americans worse or is it your own personal opinion. America has been through a lot due to a few hostile and unlawful individuals, be it Muslim or Islams, you can't blame all the races for a few who like to think they are working for the majority. I live in an area where the population of Muslims are 95%, as an English man living in France, I have no problem and have a few friends of different nationalities, we all get on together and suffer when we hear about bombings and death at the hands of a few. America has a right to be angry at losing loved ones, but they must consider the rest of the Muslim world as not being guilty. One day in god I trust that we will have peace in this world of ours, if not, may he create an end to this world we live in and start all over again.

Answer 3

I think Americans and Brits have same concerns and same level of feelings, I do feel bad that the innocent get treated in such a way but at the same time is it really any wonder-I am sick of hearing people saying things like "I hate the british" and other such things when it has been their choice to come over to this country. If these people have such a problem with us then why dont they leave? they are making life difficult for all including the muslim people who are just trying to get on with life and are happy to be here.

Answer 4

I have nothing against Muslims or Islam. I do have a problem with terrorists though. Terrorists are just murderous criminals.

The difference between the two is HUGE and the faster people spot the difference the better.

As for people in UK being less prone than US, I think I agree with that statement. I think though that this is because of the 9/11 incident. That hurts deep down and needs blame somewhere but that blame has been generalised.

Answer 5

I would say Yes.

In London and throughout the UK, Asian communities have become part of British culture. A government official once said that Curry was the favourite British food....and it's true.
Not to say that there aren't problems between communities, but they are tolerated much more.

But a large proportion of hatred in other countries is also caused by extremeright-wing mass media. In the UK, the news channels tend to be more balanced.

Answer 6

I'd like to say yes, but somehow I really doubt it!!

I know what you mean about the Islamophobia though - It really sickens me!!

At the height of the troubles with the IRA nobody ever suggested that all catholics were terrorists so why is it acceptable to blame Muslims. Its like state sanctioned racism and I find it terrifying!

Answer 7

I read all the tolerance towards Muslims and think its wonderful and you see only islamophobia - because people condemn actions of another group does not indication a fear of someone. Bigotry towards any group is wrong. It sounds like more your bias towards nations is coming out here.

Answer 8

i think that we in the UK dislike Muslims just as much as in the US the reason for this is that thy come to our country thy blow up out transport systems killing normal people going to work who have done no wrong if thy don't like us then why do thy want to live here go back to there own country and leave us out of there war i am not a racist i get on with people be thy black or with this is not a colour issue

Answer 9

When will people realise that there is only one race in the world, and that is the human race,which comes in all colours and creeds and there are good and bad in each one. How long have the Muslims waited to get attention from the West ? can you imagine how frustrating this must be. Ignoring terrorism doesn't make it go away, it only fires the anger. The Islamic troubles must be listened to and sorted for your sake as well as theirs.

Answer 10

It's not Islamophobia. I am just tired of seeing them push us around in our own countries trying to force their Islamic views on us, taking away our freedom of speech, and forcing us into this walking on eggsheels political correctness.
The Aussies have said it all. Feel free to live here and blend in to our society, live by our rules, learn our language, or find someplace else.