Zionism and Islamism

Originally these words had specific meanings - zionism meant the belief that Jews should have their own "jewish state" and islamism meant a belief that Islam should be implimented politically.

Despite their benign meanings they have very negative connotations in the modern world.

I have also see them thrown around with a great deal of liberality - islamism is often used as a blanket term for terrorism, fundamentalism, or those who call for a return of the caliphate - even though the original meaning did not necessarily refer to these things.

Zionism too is often a blanket term for Israelis, jews, jewish conspiracies, or any kind of oppressive action against muslims by nonmuslims - again this stretches the original meaning of the word.

In their modern context are Islamist and Zionist useful anymore? Are they simply dangerous slurs?

Salam

You are right.

Today the words "zionist" and "zionism" are used by most Muslims in a very racist context.

A "Zionist" is automatically seen as a muslim-oppressing Jew.

And "Zionism" is simply viewed as a war upon Muslims.

Christians who support it are regarded as accessaries to suppression.

Omrow