Who is an 'Islamist'?

Jan 08

Web Only

Who is an 'Islamist'?

Should media outlets drop the word?

Screenshot from CNN.com

The term 'Islamist,' used by many media outlets to describe those who support a form of government in accordance with Islam, has recently come under scrutiny in the US. Ibrahim Hooper, who serves as the National Communications Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), recently published an op-ed calling for members of the press to stop using the word.

One of the world's most influential news wires, the Associated Press, recently removed the word 'Islamophobia' from its style book. It also added a definition for 'Islamist'.

View the story "The 'I' word" on StorifyThe 'I' wordShould media outlets drop the word "Islamist"?Storified by The Stream· Mon, Jan 07 2013 14:55:31Here's an excerpt from his piece:Unfortunately, the term "Islamist" has become shorthand for "Muslims we don't like." It is currently used in an almost exclusively pejorative context and is often coupled with the term "extremist," giving it an even more negative slant.ISLAM-OPED: Media Urged to Drop Term 'Islamist' in New Year - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA PatchThere are few, if any, positive references to "Islamist" in news articles. There are also no -- nor should there be -- references to "Christianists," "Judaists" or "Hinduists" for those who would similarly seek governments "in accord with the laws" of their respective faiths.ISLAM-OPED: Media Urged to Drop Term 'Islamist' in New Year - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA PatchThe frequent linkage of the term "Islamist" to violence and denial of religious and human rights is also strongly promoted by Islamophobic groups and individuals who seek to launch rhetorical attacks on Islam and Muslims, without the public censure that would normally accompany such bigoted attacks on any other faith.ISLAM-OPED: Media Urged to Drop Term 'Islamist' in New Year - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA PatchThe article sparked intense debate in the comments section as well as on Twitter:Islamist means those who want a theocracy based on sharia law. Being in a state of islam is fine and an expression faith; as opposed to wanting an islamic state which is entirely different.ISLAM-OPED: Media Urged to Drop Term 'Islamist' in New Year - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA PatchWho was the genius at @CAIRNational who decided that US media should drop term 'Islamist'? I really really want to know so I can laugh @ himMatan Lurey@matanlurey @cairnational why? it's a horrible word with no actual meaning. what's your definition of Islamist?Daniel TavanaMany US conservatives disagreed with dropping the word "Islamist" and criticized the Council on American-Islamic Relations for its previous use of the word "Islamophobia" to describe those who are hostile towards Islam and Muslims.#MyJihad Islamist Group Tries to Kill Use of "Islamist": http://tinyurl.com/b76o57n #CAIR #sharia http://pic.twitter.com/DFR3ICBUDavidWhy does CAIR - a front for the Muslim brotherhood -want to distance themselves from being called #islamist? That's what they r @BillQSmithHAMCAIR doesnt want us to use the word #Islamist. Kinda like not using the word 'Catholic' to describe Fulton Sheen or JFK.CnjJupiterFirst Political #Islam uses "Phobia" to discredit those who speak Truth. Now they are trying to eliminate the word "Islamist." #WarOnTruthHeather PlonskiCAIR will call critics Islamphobes BUT then tells the #media NOT 2 use the word Islamist! http://bit.ly/X9tkRY #myjihadBrandi L. EaveThe Stream's Twitter followers also weighed in. Many agreed that the word "Islamist" should not be used in the media:@AJStream word #Islamist makes theocracy look like uniquely #Muslim problem. US Christian anti-abortion/ marriage lobby proves otherwiseMassoud Hayoun@dan_ming @AJStream "Islamist" is outdated and means nothing & everything. I prefer "Muslim Democrats" for faith-based democratic groups.Hind Makki@Douuu @AJStream I fully agree. It means too many things, contradictory, inflammatory, prejudicial, loaded,ultimately rhetorically useless.Hend@mmbilal YES !!!Because Islam is the religion. Muslim would be better since that describes a particular community..Ametepee Michael@AJStream Yes, there's no such term as Islamist. The West uses it to describe religious political leaders, it's more of a label.Fatima AnsariOthers, however, argued that the word should be used, but only in a certain context.No. They just need to use it in proper context. RT @AJStream: Should media outlets stop using the word "Islamist"? #ajstreamChristianChristensen@dan_ming @AJStream If there is a clear link to the integration of religion into a given political platform. Like Christian Conservatives.ChristianChristensenNo, but they should use it correctly. RT @AJStream: Should media outlets stop using the word "Islamist"? http://ow.ly/gBJXF #ajstreamWill PicardWhat do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments thread below.