What is happening here is a deliberate and damaging shift. There is now a concerted effort to delegitimise factual analysis and reporting of Islam and ignore the justifications for their actions that some of its adherents actually explain. It centres on a single word.

The term “Islamophobia” is a crock for two reasons. The first is the fact that it is a deliberate attempt to conflate criticism of a belief-system with hatred of a people for the colour of their skin. Thus “Islamophobia” is neatly allied with the real horrors of racism.

But “Islamophobia” is also a nonsense term – though this is a far less popular aspect to point out – because a “phobia” is an “irrational fear”. “Claustrophobia” is irrational because enclosed spaces tend not to kill you. Being scared of small rooms is irrational. Exaggerated and faked stories abound in journalism. But despite this, and as a mounting death-toll asserts, there are a considerable number of reasons to be fearful of some – though certainly not all – aspects and versions of Islam. Women, gay men and Jews have particular reason to be fearful. As do commuters in major European cities and continental film-directors. It’s not “phobic” to be worried about Islam. It is eminently rational.

But to think that the answer to any criticism of Islam or Muslims is a delegitimising of critics and an indulgence in self-pity is not to make an advance. It is to pave the way for self-harm. For all of us.