Islamophobia is defined as the irrational fear, hostility, or hatred towards the religion of Islam or Muslims, often stereotyping them as a geopolitical threat or source of terrorism. Its significant increase since the end of the Cold War is linked to factors like Western media portrayals, the "war on terror" following the September 11 attacks, and the proliferation of anti-Muslim rhetoric by white nationalist and far-right groups. Studies show that Muslim women, especially those wearing headscarves, are more vulnerable to Islamophobic attacks, underscoring the racialized nature of this discrimination.

To combat this, the United Nations General Assembly, on March 15, 2022, adopted a resolution introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, designating March 15 as the 'International Day To Combat Islamophobia'. Despite this global recognition, the precise definition of "Islamophobia" remains a subject of debate among Western analysts, with some critics proposing alternative terms or alleging it limits valid criticism of Islam.