After 9/11, Western ideologues with the help of so-called experts and propagandists fine-tuned the global threat of Islam, using terms like “Islamist,” “terrorist,” and “extremist” which replaced “Islamic fundamentalism.”

Legions of articles, books and media stories with “experts” propagated the threat of global terror and “Islamism.” Takeover terminology, highlighting the threat to European societies and values, became normalised, espoused by politicians and enshrined in policies.

For example, “networks of global terror,” “global Jihad,” “they hate our values and way of life,” “they are a threat to our freedom,” “Londonistan,” “Eurabia,” “Sharia imposed in our cities,” “non-Muslims being forced to eat halal,” “Trojan Horse school takeover,” “entryism,” “Islamification” are all too common.

Like in a James Bond movie, the U.S. and the West are presented as being on a mission to save society from an assortment of evil characters attempting to rule or ruin the world. First Khomeini, then Al Qaeda, then ISIS and these days the Muslim Brotherhood or even “Sultan” Erdogan. Not only does Western civilisation have to be “safeguarded” from the threat of Islam, but Muslims must be safeguarded from harm even from their own religion.

Of course the terminology and language is just code or trope for Islam and Muslims. It is rooted in centuries old European anti-Islamic sentiments, mythology and stereotypes.

There has of course been a real threat of violence in the West by individuals linked to two main groups – Al Qaeda and ISIS. But instead of targeting them specifically, entire countries and communities of Muslims, and their faith, have been collectively held responsible, demonised, targeted, or punished for the acts of a small number of individuals.

The terminology and language of threat, danger, and takeover by Muslims has even been adopted as far away as India and China. Anti-Islam and Muslim hate has gone global.