Although the term Islamophobia was initially used in the early 20th century, it wasn't until the 1980s and 1990s that the term increased in popularity and reached public policy prominence with the report that was conducted by the Runnymede Trust's Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia, entitled "Islamophobia: A Challenge for Us All." 

The Causes of Islamophobia 

In the West, Islamophobia has manifested itself through individual attitudes and behaviors - including practices and policies of different institutions and organizations. Any feelings, whether good or bad, about a country, a group, or an individual tend to stem from the perceptions people have about them - and when it comes to Islamophobia, there are too many negative misconceptions around the world. Most of them have been formed due to the following common reasons mentioned below. 

Manifestation of History 

Memory passes on from generation to generation - an example can be the hatred against the Jews, for they were considered accomplices to the death of Jesus during the Crusades. There are several scholars who believe Islamophobia is a form of racism or xenophobia. 

Major Trends 

Then we have several major trends - such as the migration or increasing unemployment situation happening in Europe for example. Some people have been associating it with the increased presence of Muslims within the European Union and the United States, while others tend to view it as a response to the emergence of a Muslim identity on a global level. 

Cataclysmic Events 

Certain events throughout history have reinforced Islamophobia perceptions. There are some commentators who have posited an increase in Islamophobia - leading back to the 9/11 attack, including many other terror attacks that have occurred in the United States by Islamic extremists. 

The factors mentioned above have been exploited by certain sets of people - namely, the press, organizations, and populist leaders - who wish to further their respective agendas. They focus on exaggerating the perception or threats to the general public. Plus, the advancement of technological developments has further enhanced their influence via electronic media and the internet. 

All we can hope for now is for individuals like Dr. Sabeel Ahmed to change these perceptions and open people's eyes to the truth. As a revered medical doctor, holding a Ph.D. in Islamic studies alongside specialized education in Medical Sciences, Dr. Sabeel has been working as the full-time director of GainPeace - an outreach organization that focuses its operations towards implementing and spreading the peaceful principles of Islam to the world. 

The organization came into being in 2009 and, since then, has been in close collaboration with interfaith partners to foster dialogue and collaboration and promote universal values that unite everyone and successfully bridge the differences between us. 

Furthermore, Dr. Sabeel has been relentlessly working as a Muslim activist for more than a decade, laboring in the United States to confront the challenges of Islamophobia and persistently working for more than three decades to be a beacon of positivity for communities around the world.