On Start the Week on Monday, all the distinguished guests, including the philosopher John Gray and the historian Eric Hobsbawm, vehemently agreed that the word "Islamist", which I have used at the top of this column, was wrong and dangerous. It implied a strong link to Islam, which was unfair. I thought the distinction between "Islamic" and "Islamist" was enough: but if we need a new and more accurate word for extremist Muslims, what is it?
Any particular strain of Islam, such as Wahhabism, is only the more lethally libelled if you try to narrow things that way. The trouble with looking for bland words is that you lose touch with reality. You'll end up by calling them Powd-ists (People of Whom we Disapprove) or Bacromists (Bad Cross Men). All sensible suggestions welcome. Meanwhile, it's our patriotic duty to single out the nearest nightclub, and get along there as soon as possible.
So, Islamofascists is out?
(Kippah tip: Melanie Phillips)
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