Do you think that Islamophobia plays a significant role in western politics and foreign policy? I think that the Islamophobia rooted deep into American culture is often exploited by right-wing politicians to justify things like the PATRIOT Act, invading Iraq and Afghanistan, and creating a general atmosphere of fear. America has had Islamophobia since the sixteen hundreds when Muslim slaves were forced to enact in plays celebrating the "liberation" of the Iberian Peninsula by the crusaders but it has never really manifested itself this openly before in my opinion. How does the rest of the world view American Isamophobia is it as widely used to justify policy in other Western nations? I know in Switzerland for example, the far right People's Party has been elected and has introduced extremely Islamophobic policies such as not allowing Muslims to migrate to Switzerland, deporting Muslims already living in Switzerland, and banning minarets.

I think us Americans are just overall xenophobic. Look at United States immigration history and you'll see it one big story of "We don't like your kind around here!"

At least we arnt like places like Great Briton that are being literally invaded by Muslims. Most are good but with recent Riots, Bombings, etc..it shows that sometimes Islamophobia isnt always unwarranted

I think people in the US fear Islam because they only see the religious radicals. What's ironic is that they haven't looked in the mirror.

Bush speaks of Christianity and Crusades, so I think in his twisted mind, he's trying to wage a Holy War against Islam.

To claim that islamophobia is rooted in the americas since the 16th century is a little over the top. Of course spaniards were afraid of Islam as they were nearly driven out of their own country by muslims and gained Iberia back only ste by step.
Real Islamophobia is only in control since 9/11 and even that is cooling down and if you think that your great leader declared war against Iraq because of Islamophobia, then you should study your country's history better.

I don't know about these quotes, but I could imagine Adams saying this during americas war with the Maghreb states. Political Correctness wasn't around back then.

Allahu Akbar!

Jihads and Fatwas are not theological beliefs of Islam, though there are some minor sects of Shi'a Islam that would like to establish them as such. But they are, in my mind, purely political tools that several extremists use, and they use Islam as a scapegoat to defend such actions. That is why I believe this "Islamophobia" has come about.

It is also unfortunate that people cannot differentiate between a religious person and a terrorist. It would be like saying that every Catholic took part in the Inquisition.

The bourgeoisie are nationalist so it's not surprising that the most advanced bourgeois state, the USA is very nationalist. The ideology of the people is a reflection of the ideology of the capitalist because of biased media propaganda.

When I was a baby I was afraid of old, muslim ladies. They looked weird and once theese two walked up to me and I thought they were trying to kidnap me. Now I'm just scared of all radicalists. Radical americas, muslims, christians, etc...

I have muslims friends as-well but sometimes if im just watchin vid's on youtube and im watchin relgeos stuff i see sometimes comments like :"Islam will kill you all" and "death to USA, the islam will rule the world" and that kinda stuff .And i go to there page and i think there from iraq or something ,happpend they live in my country as well so im a little 50% about evrything.