“İslam da Müslüman da Bir Irk Değildir”: İslamofobi, Irkçılık ve İfade Özgürlüğü

There are objections to the definition of Islamophobia as a form racism. Objections center around two main themes Islamophobia: “Islam” and “Muslims”. Some detractors argue that former should not be given protection against various debates criticisms considered legitimate within scope freedom expression. They assert statements such “Muhammad is pedophile married nine-year-old girl”, “Islam was spread by sword” or “Wearing veil dehumanizes, humiliates objectifies women” theological seen expression these rights criticism restricted defining For others, latter cannot racial minority because being Muslim religious identity voluntarily chosen. While this approach regards gender identities innate involuntary categories, it assumes related one's own will therefore Muslims need have much less legal than other categories. This paper argues definitions racism would miss vital issue, one helps capture understand how those who simply perceived excluded, subordinated, exploited with reference phenotypical cultural differences. issue racialization Muslims. study aims explore following questions: What limit expression? Is possible distinguish from reasonable Islam? Does really depend on actual existence races? If hostility Islam can regarded racism, then, what kind might be? its specific qualities, does function? How been racialized? To answer questions, draws experiences thirty-nine first second-generation young Turks aged between 18-35 in London 2019. I aimed recruit respondents were diverse enough represent variation known exist Turkish community London. selected semi-structured in-depth interview method means which data collected. employed thematic analysis identify analyse patterns meaning dataset. has made clear racialized based biological features, but also ethnic features. making sweeping generalizations more likely Islamophobic. One right critique ideologies religions, manner decorum individuals express themselves vital. The speech intentionally demonize religion, humiliate, devalue, stigmatize group people. Moreover, reflects idea race pre-condition for confines narrow understanding. Every whether cultural, essence target social, differences attributed bodies (individuals). Therefore, affiliation rather religion itself at anti-Muslim Regardless physical appearance, nationality, ethnicity, economic situation, homogenized, humiliated, marginalized through Islamophobic discourse practices their daily lives. article contributes better understanding why evaluated It hoped assessing behavior towards Muslims, focus shifted everyday political debate fear hatred, prejudice fact racialized.