I was delighted when the BBC Inside Out programme came to meet me and a bunch of young British Muslims at the London Mosque (London’s oldest Mosque) to get our views on Islamophobia. Here are some of my experiences and thoughts on the issue. It was broadcast on Monday 7th September at 7.30pm. The full programme can be viewed here. I'm on an almost daily battle with Islamophobes whether online or in my mind trying to figure out why these people have so much hatred against Islam. Today, Islam has been demonised, scapegoated and unjustly equated with terrorism as the media typically over-sensationalizes the actions of some extremists. It’s convenient for both Islamophobes and the media alike - Islamophobes find another excuse to justify their prejudice and hatred against Islam while the media loves any story which makes a shocking headline. As a freelance writer and British Muslim, I have to try and refute those who seek to spread hatred of Islam and mislead people about what Islam really teaches. People who haven't done their own research or know little about Islam get misled and misinformed by Islamophobes, the media and some so-called extremist Muslims. Much of what I’ve experienced is online and by the media, after all the media is a powerful tool. However, despite there being a significant Islamophobic problem, much of it is due to complete ignorance about what Muslims truly believe and the majority of people I meet are very open-minded, understanding and tolerant. I organise peace leafleting campaigns for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the south of Surrey and we always get smiles, compliments and appreciation from householders when we explain that we’re here to give the message of love, peace, loyalty and freedom - the same values Islam stands for. Only around 5% or so actually refuse the leaflet politely saying they’re not interested. Comments like ‘you should do this more’, ‘we completely agree’ and ‘I have no misconceptions or issues with Islam’ are not uncommon. So while we do see much negativity in the media and online against Islam and Muslims, my overall experience as a British Muslim has been a very positive one. The British public overall are very understanding, open-minded and educated. This is an era when we can easily access information about anything, and as long as people do their research and keep a fair, unbiased perspective, they’ll see Muslims are nothing to be scared of. People asked questions in school and college about purdah, marriage etc. It was a pleasant experience since my classmates were taking an interest in my faith and I was given the opportunity to explain my beliefs. If people were more curious, had goodwill and realised that regardless of all our differences, we are all still one (despite some seeking to divide us), Islamophobia wouldn’t exist and we’d all get along very nicely. Having said all that though, Muslims have caused issues at home and abroad, there’s no doubt about it. But so have many others, not forgetting all the wars our nation and the West are responsible for. A more forthright person might suggest Islamophobia is due to our politicians making questionable foreign policy and starting needless wars in the Middle East. If we’re at war with Muslim nations, is it any wonder why natives would be suspicious of Muslims. Islamophobia has existed since the very inception of Islam when the Holy Prophet was labelled a ‘madman’, ‘magician’ and ‘dangerous’. A lady carrying some bags was on her way back to her town fearful of being victim of the ‘magic’ of the Prophet Muhammad. As it happens, he walked by her and offered to help her with her bags. She told him she’s very afraid since there is a man named Muhammad who is tricking people, corrupting the youth and misleading them. The Prophet remained quiet and helped her take her bags home. When she arrived home, she was so surprised at the entirely altruistic and kind nature of the man she desired to know his name. He replied I am the same Muhammad you were so afraid of. Needless to say, she accepted him and believed in Islam. Many were convinced of his truth simply by his sublime character and supreme moral qualities. Moral of the story being that we shouldn’t just follow rumours and propaganda since ‘hearing is not like seeing’. We must investigate and search for the truth for ourselves and then we’ll arrive at the right conclusion. Misconceptions and Islamophobia will be removed if people come and see for themselves what Muslims are like. Come to our Mosques, meet us, question us and speak with us. People who see the true Islam completely change their perspective - Jason Leger, Nick Ferrari and Tommy Robinson to name a few. Jason Ledger who protested against Islam wearing an offensive shirt stating ‘F*** Islam’ in Phoenix, Arizona, USA had a change of heart when he was invited inside a Mosque. Afterwards he declared: 'Out of respect for the Islamic people, knowing what I know now, because I have talked to them and spoke to them, no I would not do that again, just because I don't want to offend or hurt those people. When I took a second to actually sit down and listen to them, and actually enter their mosque, and go in and watch some of their prayers, it is a beautiful thing, and they answered some of the questions that I had.’ If everyone actually came to a Mosque, met Muslims and spoke to them, they’d realise 99% of us are normal, law-abiding, peaceful, contributive citizens. Nick Ferrari also changed his stance somewhat when he visited the largest Mosque in Western Europe - the Baitul Futuh Mosque after which he realised that Islam is peace, serenity and love. Islamophobes are largely to blame for fuelling the fire of Muslim extremists. By firebrand hate-filled rhetoric they create Islamophobes and deliberately provoke ignorant Muslims into committing atrocities in the name of Islam justifying it under the guise of free speech. Why don't they use their free speech to speak good words and work with true, peaceful Muslims in condemning such acts and declaring that violence is against the teachings of Islam? That way simple-minded Muslims wouldn’t be duped by radical hate preachers nor would Islamophobia spread.
Islamophobes, some who have made it their life's work to attack Islam and Muslims would have us all believe that the Qur'an teaches nothing but violence whereas the vast majority is about peace, love, good works and truth. The teachings of violence are in a very limited context under specific circumstances, such as war or when you are attacked - self-defence is permitted. The Jewish and Christian scriptures contain far more violent teachings. We don’t see them attacking those scriptures or communist ideology or capitalist imperialistic nations who subjugate weaker nations around the world. Such bigotry, prejudice and intolerance of some Islamophobes will always be exposed for all to see. As for others who are fearful of Islam, it’s quite safe to say that it’s mostly down to ignorance since we witness as staunch opponents of Islam when they realise what Islam truly teaches and what Muslims really believe - immediately apologise and change their views. People have nothing to be fearful from Islam. The fundamental teachings of Islam are and always have been of love, peace, loyalty and unity. Extremists have and always will use anything, twisting and misconstruing verses to suit their own agenda. It's nothing new. What were the crusades about? ISIS and Muslims extremists say the same thing - justifying their political ambitions using Islam whereas Islam is primarily concerned with a person's inner reformation and relationship with God - our Creator. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community across the world strives by way of their peaceful ‘jihad’ to stem the tide of Islamophobia and extremism with peace campaigns, leafleting, charity walks, blood drives and many other initiatives. So kudos to the BBC for getting our side of the story and for doing more in general to have a balanced perspective. It's about time.
2 Comments
Michael McManus
10/2/2015 06:28:30 pm
Excellent post, thanks. I'm trying to my part on this as Christian brother to you and the larger Muslim community. Over time, I'm trying to get smarter on some of the core principles of Islam and the overlaps we see and some of the more interesting but wonderful differences. Of course much commonality due to Abraham, but another interesting core to me of Christianity is the very core principle of 'Love, Hope & Faith...the most important of which is Love' As we consider Christ's teachings he taught quite strenuously of the need to love those that we think of as our enemy...that we go beyond the idea of just love of the family or clan or our immediate brother. A core of the New Testament that many Christians overlook is actually this idea of Love as a way to access the Holy Spirit...[So we need better training on own religious values]. This principal to is similar in view I think to the Buddhist that as we open the heart we allow ourselves to be purified. That purification and the simplicity it offers to the mind allows us a clearer path to access the spirit within and the Universal Divine. On another track National Public Radio here in US had an interesting program weeks back on a great Muslim advocate in Chicago (don't have the link but been meaning to look that one up). At any rate, perhaps in time we as a larger community may be able to think of different ways like this to bridge the misinformation out there.. The best of luck to you and look forward to seeing more of your posts as I can track them, a friend from Colorado,
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Atif Rashid
10/26/2015 06:57:00 am
Hi Michael
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AuthorAtif Rashid writes about faith, extremism & mental health. Categories
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