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Please stop the revert war, so I can submit my edits, for further reversion :-)
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Restored link descriptions, and added point definitions + Misc cleanup. Please read carefully, and talk on the talk page. To the best of my knowledge, the link discreptions are factual and NPOV.
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The term "'''Islamofascism'''" is a controversial [[political epithet]] used to discribe certain variants of [[Islamism]] claimed to have [[fascist]] or [[totalitarian]] aspects. Although the exact origins of the term are murky, it appears to have been coined either by [[Khalid Duran]] or [[Stephen Schwartz (author)|Stephen Schwartz]].
The term "'''Islamofascism'''" is a controversial [[political epithet]] used to discribe certain variants of [[Islamism]] alledged to have [[fascist]] or [[totalitarian]] aspects. is a polemical term whose various deployments have led its meaning to be a family resemblance concept of the fusion of [[Islamism|political Islam]] with totalitarianism.

⚫
Although the exact origins of the term are murky, it appears to have been coined either by [[Khalid Duran]], [[Stephen Schwartz (author)|Stephen Schwartz]] or [[Christopher Hitchens]]. The coining or popularisation of the term is frequently attributed to [[Christopher Hitchens]] based on his article in [[The Nation]] immediately following the [[9/11 attacks]], where he used the phrase "Islamic fascism". [http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20011008&s=hitchens20010924]. Hitchens also used the phrases "Islamic fascism" and "theocratic fascism" to describe the fatwa declared against [[Salman Rushdie]] for writing ''[[The Satanic Verses (novel)|The Satanic Verses]]''. After the 9/11 attacks, the concept of the existance "Islamic Fascism" spread throught neoconservative thinkers and the [[blogosphere]].

Those who have attempted to flesh out the epithet often state that "Islamofascism" refers to strands of [[Wahhabism|Wahhabi]] or [[Salafi]] Islam, which are claimed to display some of the signifiers of fascism or totalitarianism. Among the allegations directed towards these forms of Islam are that they :


* Promotes the establisment of a global unitary Islamic nation-state under the totalitarian control of Islamic religious authorities enforcing [[Sharia]] law.
⚫
The coining or popularisation of the term is frequently attributed to [[Christopher Hitchens]] based on his article in [[The Nation]] immediately following the [[9/11 attacks]], where he used the phrase "Islamic fascism". [http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20011008&s=hitchens20010924]. Hitchens also used the phrases "Islamic fascism" and "theocratic fascism" to describe the fatwa declared against [[Salman Rushdie]] for writing ''[[The Satanic Verses (novel)|The Satanic Verses]]''.
* Propose the existance of an eternal violent conflict between [[Dar al-Islam|muslims]] and [[Dar al-Harb|infidels]], that will end with the eventual victory of muslims over the infidels.
* Accept and promote terrorism and violence to further their goals.
* Are strongly and violently anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist, anti-American, and anti-western. These groups and nations are allegedly perceived by Islamofascists as implacable enemies of Islam that must be must be subjugated or destroyed.
* Do not normative western political concepts such as intrinsic [[human rights]] and democracy.
* Advocate a philosophy of [[trotskyist]] [[entryism]] to convert/subvert non-Islamic societies from within


Opponents of the term argue that "Islamofascism" is simply a derogatory epithet directed towards [[Islam]] as a whole, and not a real political concept or ideology. They claim that the term attempts to conflate the neutral concept of [[Islamism]] with the negatively perceived concept of [[Fascism]].
Those who have attempted to flesh out the epithet often state that "Islamofascism" refers to a specific strand of [[Wahhabism|Wahhabi]] Islam, which, they claim, displays some of the signifiers of fascism. Among the allegations directed towards these forms of Islam are strong [[anti-Semitism]], intolerance of dissent, a willingness to accept civilian casualties, and pan-Islamic nationalism. [http://hurryupharry.bloghouse.net/archives/2004/02/12/what_is_islamofascism.php] Opponents of the term argue that "Islamofascism" is simply a derogatory epithet directed towards [[Islam]] as a whole.


Some applications of the term "Islamofascism" specifically refer to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] and similar movements in [[Sunni Islam]] inspired by the writings of [[Sayyid Qutb]], while others use it to refer to all highly politicized strains of Islam, including [[Shi'a]] radicalism as practised in Iran. A more common and less loaded term for these politicized strains of Islam, which seek to replace secular governments in Muslim countries with [[Sharia]] law, is [[Islamist]]. Note, however, that Islamism is a broad political category which covers also political movements such as [[Turkey]]'s [[Justice and Development Party]] which do not seek to overthrow secular constitutions.
Some applications of the term "Islamofascism" specifically refer to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] and similar movements in [[Sunni Islam]] inspired by the writings of [[Sayyid Qutb]], while others use it to refer to all highly politicized strains of Islam, including [[Shi'a]] radicalism as practised in Iran. A more common and less loaded term for these politicized strains of Islam, which seek to replace secular governments in Muslim countries with [[Sharia]] law, is [[Islamist]]. Note, however, that Islamism is a broad political category which covers also political movements such as [[Turkey]]'s [[Justice and Development Party]] which do not seek to overthrow secular constitutions.
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===Islamic Concepts===
===Islamic Concepts===
* [[Dhimmi]] — non-Muslim citizens in Islamic law.
* [[Dhimmi]] — subjugated non-muslim citizens in Islamic law.
* [[Jihad]] — holy war
* [[Jihad]]
* [[Wahhabism]] — fundamentalist Muslim sect.
* [[Salafi]] — fundamentalist Muslim sect.


==Commentators who have used the term "Islamofascism"==
==Academics and commentators on Islamofascism==
* [[Daniel Pipes]]
* [[Daniel Pipes]] — U.S. political scientist
* [[Ibn Warraq]]
* [[Ibn Warraq]] — Muslim free-thinker and social critic.
* [[Oriana Fallaci]] — Italian journalist and author of ''The Rage and The Pride (La Rabbia e l'Orgoglio)'' and ''The Strength of Reason (La Forza della Ragione)''.
* [[Oriana Fallaci]]
* [[Andrew Sullivan]]
* [[Andrew Sullivan]] — U.S. journalist and noted blogger
* [[Victor Davis Hanson]]
* [[Victor Davis Hanson]] — U.S. historian and commentator on military affairs
* [[Christopher Hitchens]]
* [[Christopher Hitchens]] — British journalist.
* [[Natan Sharansky]] Israeli politician and [[human rights]] activist. Author of ''The Case For Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror''
* [[Natan Sharansky]]
* [[Dore Gold]] — Israeli political scientist. Author of ''Hatred's Kingdom: How Saudi Arabia Supports the New Global Terrorism.''
* [[Dore Gold]]
* [[Richard Perle]]
* [[Richard Perle]] U.S. [[Neoconservatism_(United_States)|neoconservative]].


==Organizations and think tanks==
==Organizations and think tanks==

Revision as of 14:36, 17 April 2005

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You must add a |reason= parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|reason=<Fill reason here>}}, or remove the Cleanup template.
 The term "Islamofascism" is a controversial political epithet used to discribe certain variants of Islamism alledged to have fascist or totalitarian aspects. is a polemical term whose various deployments have led its meaning to be a family resemblance concept of the fusion of political Islam with totalitarianism.

Although the exact origins of the term are murky, it appears to have been coined either by Khalid Duran, Stephen Schwartz or Christopher Hitchens. The coining or popularisation of the term is frequently attributed to Christopher Hitchens based on his article in The Nation immediately following the 9/11 attacks, where he used the phrase "Islamic fascism". [1]. Hitchens also used the phrases "Islamic fascism" and "theocratic fascism" to describe the fatwa declared against Salman Rushdie for writing The Satanic Verses. After the 9/11 attacks, the concept of the existance "Islamic Fascism" spread throught neoconservative thinkers and the blogosphere.

Those who have attempted to flesh out the epithet often state that "Islamofascism" refers to strands of Wahhabi or Salafi Islam, which are claimed to display some of the signifiers of fascism or totalitarianism. Among the allegations directed towards these forms of Islam are that they :

  • Promotes the establisment of a global unitary Islamic nation-state under the totalitarian control of Islamic religious authorities enforcing Sharia law.
  • Propose the existance of an eternal violent conflict between muslims and infidels, that will end with the eventual victory of muslims over the infidels.
  • Accept and promote terrorism and violence to further their goals.
  • Are strongly and violently anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist, anti-American, and anti-western. These groups and nations are allegedly perceived by Islamofascists as implacable enemies of Islam that must be must be subjugated or destroyed.
  • Do not normative western political concepts such as intrinsic human rights and democracy.
  • Advocate a philosophy of trotskyist entryism to convert/subvert non-Islamic societies from within

Opponents of the term argue that "Islamofascism" is simply a derogatory epithet directed towards Islam as a whole, and not a real political concept or ideology. They claim that the term attempts to conflate the neutral concept of Islamism with the negatively perceived concept of Fascism.

Some applications of the term "Islamofascism" specifically refer to the Muslim Brotherhood and similar movements in Sunni Islam inspired by the writings of Sayyid Qutb, while others use it to refer to all highly politicized strains of Islam, including Shi'a radicalism as practised in Iran. A more common and less loaded term for these politicized strains of Islam, which seek to replace secular governments in Muslim countries with Sharia law, is Islamist. Note, however, that Islamism is a broad political category which covers also political movements such as Turkey's Justice and Development Party which do not seek to overthrow secular constitutions.

Some have argued that this use of the term is a misapplication, as the word "fascism" has been traditionally invoked to describe the merger of state and corporate power. Neoconservative commentators have argued that the fusion of Arab (particularly Saudi and Iranian) oil riches and a totaltarian theocratic movement with global ambitions, could be interpreted as a form of fascism.

Islamic Concepts

  • Dhimmi — subjugated non-muslim citizens in Islamic law.
  • Jihad
  • Wahhabism — fundamentalist Muslim sect.
  • Salafi — fundamentalist Muslim sect.

Academics and commentators on Islamofascism

Organizations and think tanks

Critical of the concept of Islamofascism

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