"“Islamophobia is a defensive reaction, one of fear, which is justified.”" He also said: "he called Islam “the dumbest religion.”...Mr. Houellebecq said he didn’t regret his earlier choice of words: “Fundamentally, I haven’t changed my mind.”" If someone were to say that about Judaism, would he get a platform in the New York Times? As for his sexism, it also never would bother the Times.