Islamophobia is increasingly understood by researchers, and international bodies not merely as an irrational fear or personal prejudice, but as a systemic, structural, and institutional form of governance. This framework suggests that Islamophobia is a "system of governing" that uses power to marginalize, exclude, and control Muslim communities, often under the guise of security or national identity. It affects the ability of Australians who are Muslim, or perceived to be Muslim, to feel safe, valued and included. Islamophobia is often used interchangeably with anti-Muslim hate which is considered to be a less pathologising and more accurate term.