Lewis argued at the conference that the term “Islamic terrorism” was apt because “Islam is a political religion” and Muhammad, in contrast to other religious leaders, had “founded a state and governed it.” In other words, although terrorism carried out by Christians or Jews is not typically referred to as “Christian terrorism” or “Jewish terrorism,” linking Islam to the violence of Muslims was deemed appropriate.

XREF: Relates to debates over asymmetric labeling of political violence and how power structures shape terminology.

Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politi…, loc. 398