Source: worldreligionnews.com

WHAT IS THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD ISLAM?

In a recent British study, the overwhelming answer to this question wasterrorism. While some positive terms were cited, such as prayer, Allah, and Muhammad, the association of the term “terrorism” with Islam proves to be a disturbing trend requiring a much needed intervention to cure society from the prevalence of Islamophobia.

Language and terminology have always been powerful in the effect they are able to generate. Lumping Islam and terrorism together is morally and intellectually wrong, since it incites hate and fear. Recently, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community advised that the term Islamic extremism should not be conjoined, since this associates Islam with extremism and other nefarious activities. Pundits and politicians have regrettably been the primary sensation seekers to hype Islamophobia. Rather than quote peaceful messages from genuine Muslim leadership, such as those consistently given by the worldwide spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, theKhalifa of Islam, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the emphasis remains on the negative.

The true teachings of Islam and the millions of peaceful Muslims are replaced with a magnified focus on the radicals who distort Islam for their own political gains. The constant bombardment of negative propaganda has hardened attitudes, despite the fact that in the last five years, only 2% of the terrorists attacks in Europe were religiously motivated. The demonizing language used by politicians and sensation seekers permeates society and influences the masses towards Islamophobia. The unfavorable rhetoric is met with applause, rather than penalty, further inciting prejudices and hate.The sensation seekers’ focus is on generating fear by highlighting perceived threats and suggesting that Islam is irreconcilable with a pluralistic society. Instead of creating a society of unity, these so-called leaders guide society away from a cohesive diverse community, painting Islam and its Muslim followers as incompatible with the Western world. Sadly, sensation seekers foster a belief that Islam will be a constant threat allowing for open discrimination towards its followers. This discrimination thereby limits the possibility of a truly pluralistic democracy and instead incubates a divisive mentality of “us versus them”.

The effects of an Islamophobic culture disables society’s role in developing a sense of belonging for its citizens. Not only are the… read more at worldreligionnews.com