Islamism, Political Correctness, and the “Muslim Panic”

A journalist visits England and fears an Islamic takeover. What does he get wrong? And what do his critics get wrong?

Andy Ngo, a talented up-and-coming young writer from the “anti-PC liberal” camp, has found himself in hot water over a provocative Wall Street Journal op-ed titled “A Visit to Islamic England.” The article has been called “ridiculous,” “silly,” “cowardly” and racist,” and the reaction on Twitter has been what you’d expect.

The backlash to the article has been nasty and extreme, accusing Ngo of racism and bulldozing over some points that are worth considering. However, there is no question that the article was seriously flawed — and is an object lesson in the pitfalls of writing about Islam and Muslims in…