The term "Islamophobe" typically refers to individuals or groups who display irrational fear, hatred, or prejudice against Islam or Muslims.
- Bigotry or discrimination against people because of their faith.
Here are some public figures or organizations who have been widely criticized for promoting anti-Muslim rhetoric or policies, especially by civil rights groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Human Rights Watch:
Individuals Often Labeled Islamophobic
| Name | Key Actions or Statements | Fact-Checking Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pamela Geller | Organized “Draw Muhammad” contest; ran anti-Muslim ads in U.S. cities | SPLC, ADL |
| Robert Spencer | Claims Islam is inherently violent; founder of Jihad Watch | SPLC |
| Geert Wilders | Called for Quran ban and “fewer Moroccans” in the Netherlands | BBC, Human Rights Watch |
| Tommy Robinson | Former leader of far-right EDL; has organized anti-Muslim protests | The Guardian, BBC |
| Ayaan Hirsi Ali | Advocates banning Islamic schools and veils; critics accuse her of generalizing | New Yorker, The Nation |
| Donald Trump | Issued “Muslim Ban” Executive Order (2017), falsely claimed Muslims celebrated 9/11 in NJ | Politifact, ACLU |
| Steve Bannon | Said the West is in a "global war against Islamic fascism"; promoted anti-Muslim narratives | The Intercept, CNN |
Organizations Identified as Anti-Muslim by Civil Rights Groups
| Organization | Alleged Activity | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| ACT for America | Lobbying for anti-Sharia laws, "Muslim infiltration" claims | SPLC, CAIR |
| Jihad Watch | Publishes articles framing Islam as a violent ideology | SPLC, ADL |
| Center for Security Policy | Spread conspiracy theories about Muslim Brotherhood in U.S. gov’t | ADL, The Nation |
| David Horowitz Freedom Center | College campus campaigns against “Islamic totalitarianism” | SPLC |
| Gatestone Institute | Publishes misleading reports on Muslim immigration in Europe | Snopes, New York Times |
All of the above figures and organizations have been repeatedly and credibly criticized by watchdog groups for promoting fear, disinformation, or discriminatory views toward Muslims. But they have contributed to Islamophobic narratives, resulting violence against Muslims, whether knowingly or through repeated misinformation.
