Getting caught up in semantics is pointless. Whatever the name "Islamophobia" does exist clearly in the world around us.

Fear used as a means of control is as much an act of terrorising the population as any action which takes human lives. The severity of such terror is clearly different but I would argue that the hype placed on terror to keep it in the minds of every person is great. Speak to many people about when 9-11 occurred and they will be surprised at how long ago it was.

Many people live in constant fear and this is clearly not a good thing. Instead of calming people and rationally assessing facts, we find ourselves frequently charging headlong at an enemy which has no fixed identity. When we live in fear, we are halfway to losing the battle against terror.

Understanding and education; facts and rational discussion (rather than unfounded proclamations voiced with an uncompromising attitude) cast light on the darkness which creates such fear and gives us a method for combating it. Failing to understand in an unbiased manner, the mentalities and opinions of our neighbours, of whatever race or religion and failing to address their worries and issues is what perpetuates an environment of distrust, miscommunication, hatred and ultimately of suffering. Painting an entire population with a broad brush and stereotyping them as having one mentality does nothing to solve the differences and issues between us. Radicals and terrorists can not hide when their own people would expose them. It may be that building trust and cooperation between all communities in our societies may create bonds that will prevent such danger from going undetected. It's worth thinking about...

Too frequently, irrational fear-mongery in one form or another is forced upon the general population for political agendas, I think it's good that someone is at least willing to discuss this.