text: The problem with this motion is lack of clarity. The OED defines 'Islamophobia' as "Intense dislike or fear of Islam, esp. as a political force; hostility or prejudice towards Muslims"; Merriam-Webster gives the following definition:  irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against Islam or people who practice Islam. 
  
  It is the reference to Islam that is problematic. Islam is not a race, ethnicity, or nationality; it is a set of religious beliefs. Criticism of a set of religious beliefs--Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, or Islam--is not the same as prejudice or bigotry to adherents of those beliefs. 
  
  It seems to me that the use of this term is an unnecessary distraction from a very important issue, the growing prejudice and hostility towards Muslims in Canada. This bill should be amended, replacing the term 'Islamophobia' with the phrase 'prejudice or hostility towards Muslims'.