The US House of Representatives last month passed the Combatting International Islamophobia Act but there are fears it will be to silence legitimate criticism, according to Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad.
“I have to say the main concern is that, growing up under Shariah laws, I have experienced the brutality of Islamic ideology, I have experienced the brutality of the Islamists,” she told Sky News host Rita Pahani.
“Like millions of other women in Muslim countries we know Shariah law and Islamists the best so that is why I strongly believe we have to create an open discussion about this.”
Ms Alinejad said she asked Representative Ilhan Omar – who introduced the bill – if criticising brutal Islamic regimes like the Taliban would be Islamophobia.
“I have to say phobia is an irrational fear but for me and millions of other women, people who lived under Shariah law, our fear is rational,” she said.
“We are worried now this legislation is going to be a tool in the hand of the Islamists to oppress us, to censor us, that’s why we ask them to understand that is a dangerous step if they don’t listen to us.”