THE ISSUE OF ISLAMOPHOBIA

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim Alhamdulillahi rabbil-‘alamin was-Salatuwas-Salam ‘alaSayyidil-Mursalin wa‘ala‘Alihi waSahbihi Ajma’in. As Salamu 'alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.

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Q1: The number of thoughts and movements against Islam is increasing rapidly. Many claims are made that Islam is out of date, needs to be reformed, and that it restricts human rights. How do you feel about this issue as a Muslim?

The West holds conceptions about Islam that are incorrect and inaccurate. Ömer, a Passengers member, tells his experience in a Christian high school. When asked why Christians are afraid of Muslims and Islam, they told him that they are afraid of the extreme measures Islam takes, like cutting hands and forcing women to wear veils (the “Hijab”). However, Islam does not restrict human rights. In fact, the movement for human rights is born out of Islam. The prophet Muhammed P.B.U.H. is the first leader to promote the equality of races and gave rights to slaves, women, and children.

Moreover, Islam is not out of date. Like a tree that falls its leaves and regrows them every season, but remains the same in its trunk, Islam has core concepts that reflect the basic structure of reality and existence, and it has smaller parts that adapt to changes in space and time. Lastly, Islam is not merely the statement of belief in some metaphysical concepts or beings. It is a concept of life, and it is not only for the state but also for each individual.

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Q2: What should we do in the short, medium, and long term, in particular about islamophobia as Passengers?

Every one of us as Muslims should do what we can within the scope of our abilities and the possibilities in our surroundings. As a few rules of thumb, we should be truthful, straightforward, and communicative.

Most of Islamophobia is caused by the fear of the unknown. Most Westerners are afraid of Islam and hold negative attributes against Islam and Muslims because they’re unfamiliar with it and have negative, misleading, or simply incorrect images and conceptions about Islam, as touched upon in the answer to the previous question. Besides not understanding us, they’re unaware of our needs. For this reason, communicating with non-Muslims, showing them the true image of Islam, and familiarizing them with our practices will significantly help reduce Islamophobia, and we should do this with truth and straightforwardness, making sure to avoid the mistake of sugarcoating Islam in an attempt to get non-Muslims to like Islam. However, many non-Muslims are well-aware of Islam, and their antagonism towards Islam and Muslims is caused by malice and ill-intention, not by ignorance.

Lastly, it is important to remain patient against trials we will experience as Muslims, and remember Allah’s words, “We shall certainly test you by afflicting you with fear, hunger, loss of properties and lives and fruits. Give glad tidings, then, to those who remain patient” (2:155).