Islamophobia as a destructive trend targeting Islam

Islamophobia, which has developed as a negative attitude towards Muslims and the religion of Islam and is defined as the 'fear of Islam,' has become a significant threat worldwide. 1 While Islamophobia prominently manifests itself in the United States, it has also established itself on a global scale as a factor of discrimination and exclusion both within Turkey and the Western world, as well as in international relations. In this context, it would not be a realistic approach to speak of a single manifestation of Islamophobia; it is a complex phenomenon that can emerge in different forms. Various forms and reflections of Islamophobia, each requiring its own specific sensitivities, are observed in different geographies such as Turkey, India, Thailand, China, the European continent, and the United States. Despite having different origins, a common thread is noticeable at the core of these diverse forms of Islamophobia: the fear and hostility directed towards the Islamic faith. 1 Particularly in Western democracies, the phenomenon of Islamophobia is worryingly spreading to a wider area over time. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, paved the way for the rise of Islamophobia and formed a significant axis of Western states' foreign policy strategies. Following this sorrowful period, Muslim communities living in Western countries, despite being citizens of their own nations, have unfortunately been subjected to discriminatory treatment. Particularly in the United States and the Western world, Muslim immigrants and refugees have become the focus of discrimination, excluded from social life, and positioned as 'the other'. As a regrettable consequence of Islamophobia-based Western politics, political parties embracing intolerant, racist, and nationalist right-wing ideologies have become prominent on the European continent and have increased their influence in the political arena. If this negative trend continues, global peace will face a serious threat, and Samuel Huntington's 'Clash of Civilizations' thesis may unfortunately gain validity. The far-right and racist movements, fueled by the recently accelerated phenomenon of Islamophobia, are alarmingly increasing their influence worldwide. This comprehensive study aims to deeply analyze the historical roots and political manifestations of the phenomenon of Islamophobia, which profoundly shakes global peace. The primary aim of this study is to reveal the underlying causes of Islamophobia in all its dimensions and to concretely present which strategies and methods should be implemented to effectively combat this dangerous phenomenon. Keywords: Theology, Islamophobia, Discrimination, Christianity, Migration, Othering.