"Is it really phobia if you have something to be afraid of?" Maher explained that many Muslims hold beliefs that do not conform with Western values, pointing to a recent study that found 52 percent of British Muslims believe being gay should be illegal. Adding that many Muslims see women as second-class citizens"  Moderate Muslims are afraid to speak out because of "violent intimidation."

"And every time somebody says 'Islamophobia,' it gives the people who are intimidating cover."