On Sky News Peta Credlin asked me to explain the difference between ‘Islamist’ and ‘Muslim.’
This was prompted by a letter from a viewer (Gordon) who asked why the followers of Islam used to be called ‘Muslims’ and now seem to be called ‘Islamists’—is there, he asked, a difference?
The key to understanding this, I explained, is that unlike other world religions (unlike Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism etc.) Islam is not one thing—it is two things.
Islam is both (i) a religion and (ii) a political ideology.
So, what is the difference?
We can define the word ‘Muslim’ (a religious follower of Islam) as having five characteristics:
(1) they say what is called the Shahada, ‘There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet;
(2) they pray five times day;
(3) they observe the fast of Ramadan;
(4) they attempt a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once;
and (5) they give alms to charity.
These are benign religious activities.
However, a follower of the political ideology of Islam (an ‘Islamist’) has three goals:
(1) to struggle (the Arabic word is ‘jihad’) for the establishment of a caliphate in which the Caliph is both a religious and political ruler who is seen as a successor to Mohammad;
(2) to impose Shari’a law on society;
(3) to offer infidels [non-Muslims] only three choices: (a) to convert to Islam, (b) to die, or (c) to come under what is called Dhimmitude—as second class citizens paying more tax and having fewer rights than Muslims.
This is clearly much less benign than religious Islam (‘Muslims’).
These two different ‘faces’ of Islam faithfully reflect the founder of Islam.
Because, unlike the founders of other major religions (unlike Jesus, Buddha, Confucius etc.) Muhammad had two roles not just one role: (A) he was a mystic, but (B) he was also a military leader.
When we look at the definitions of ‘Muslim’ and ‘Islamist’ we can see that the word ‘Islamophobia’ also makes sense.
The Oxford English Dictionary says that ‘Islamophobia’ means ‘fear of Islam as a political force’.
And looking at how Islamists have been running the nation of Iran that just looks like common sense.
The latest episode of the podcast 'Words with Kel Richards' is now available (with the dateline 12 March 2026). You can find it by scrolling further down this page or from wherever you usually get your podcasts.
TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER SCROLL FURTHER DOWN THIS PAGE >>>>>>
The latest issue of Australian Geographic is now at newsagents -- with a big beaked kookaburra on the front cover, and inside my two small columns on 'Ozwords' and 'Placenames.'
BOOKS:
* My latest book is Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries -- containing 50 new stories I have written about the great detective. You can find it on Amazon. Just go to Amazon and type in Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries in the search panel. Or use this link: h Amazon.com.au : Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries Kel Richards
* My book "Defending the Gospel" is now in a second, fully revised, edition. You can find it here: Defending the Gospel – matthiasmedia.com.au
* If you're looking for my recent book "Flash Jim" you'll find it here -- Flash Jim, The astonis
hing story of the convict fraudster who wrote Australia's first dictionary by Kel Richards | 9781460759769 | Booktopia
* You can find all Kel's books currently in print here -- Booktopia Search Results for 'kel richards'. We sell books, hardback, paperback, audio, CDs.
* And also here -- Amazon.com.au : Kel Richards
* And you'll find more here -- Search: 4 results found for "Kel Richards" – matthiasmedia.com.au
* Many of Kel's out of print books can be found at ABE Books -- Kel Richards - AbeBooks explaining words explain the term
BY THE WAY...
If you'd like to see my A-Z list of Aussie slang, you'll find it here in the Australian Geographic website -- A-Z list of Aussie slang. Here’s the link: The A-Z of Aussie slang - Australian Geographic
The liveliest part of this website is usually the Q and A page -- be sure to check it out from time to time.
