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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.

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". . Hitchens also used the phrases "Islamic fascism" and "theocratic fascism" to describe the fatwa declared against Salman Rushdie for writing The Satanic Verses.

Those who have attempted to flesh out the epithet often state that "Islamofascism" refers to a specific strand of 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. 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 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.

Related terms and concepts

• Islamism — Islam as a political movement
• Islamophobia — irrational fear of Islam or Muslims
• Islam and anti-Semitism
• Arabs and anti-Semitism
• War on Terrorism
• Islamist_terrorism

Islamic Concepts

• Dhimmi — subjugated non-muslim citizens in Islamic law.
• Jihad — holy war

Commentators who have used the term "Islamofascism"

• Daniel Pipes
• Ibn Warraq
• Oriana Fallaci
• Andrew Sullivan
• Victor Davis Hanson
• Christopher Hitchens
• Natan Sharansky
• Dore Gold
• Richard Perle

Organizations and think tanks

• Middle East Media Research Institute
• Project for the New American Century
• Foundation for the Defense of Democracies

External links

• 'Why We Fight America': Al-Qa'ida Spokesman Explains September 11 and Declares Intentions to Kill 4 Million Americans with Weapons of Mass Destruction
• What is Jihad? by Daniel Pipes
• MEMRI: Jihad and Terrorism Study Project (Israeli site)

Critical of the concept of Islamofascism

• How the right played the fascism card against Islam — The Guardian (4 February, 2005)

• Articles for deletion using wrong syntax