Is hatred of Islam now respectable?

In all the other excitements of last week, it is easy to forget Lady Warsi's speech about Islamophobia . It cut across all the main lines of debate in this country. It must be the first time a senior Conservative politician has been attacked by Lord Tebbit because she had attacked Polly Toynbee. It may also be the first time that Seumas Milne has been singled out for praise by the chair of the Conservative party. But was Lady Warsi right to attack the secular intelligentsia for their attitude to Muslims? When Richard Dawkins, as he often does, refers to Roman Catholicism as "the second most evil religion in the world", is he actually damaging British society by whipping up feeling against Islam ? Are Muslims routinely condemned by people who'd be horrified when Christians attack them? And, if they are, does this matter? Monday's response: Nesrine Malik : Casual generalisations about Muslims often take the place of deeper discussion of migration and integration Wednesday's response: Tehmina Kazi : It is vital that we encourage open, honest and mutually respectful debate about the role of Islam and Muslims in British society Friday's response: Jenny Taylor : All faiths are not the same