Source: Al jazeera

Less than 2 percent of all politically motivated acts of violence committed in Europe are carried out by Muslims. Yet, the media narrative of a crisis with “radical Islam” and “radicalised Muslims” reaches new heights after each major attack in a Western country.

Meanwhile, rational analysis of what constitutes Muslim “radicalism” fails to inform public discourse, which is instead driven largely by sloppy presuppositions connecting religiosity or conservatism to a propensity for violence – despite any credible evidence linking the two.

Promoted by networks of well-funded Islamophobic hate groups, the hazy logic underlying this understanding of extremism is at the centre of Western efforts to moderate Islam.

It is pervasive in government policies and, critics say, it is actively undermining the ability of Muslim communities to confront radicalism by stifling their freedom to openly participate in the democratic processes of civic life, including free expression of political opinions.

The dubious link between conservatism and extremism

The profiles of the vast majority of documented attackers, including the September 11 hijackers and those involved in the recent Paris attacks, clearly diverge from mainstream Muslim communities, with lifestyles – featuring the use of illicit drugs, sex, and alcohol – that would be considered anathema by conservative Muslims.

In spite of the lack of a clear connection with violent extremism, Muslims who adopt conservative or traditional perspectives – on gender roles, styles of dress, and even the permissibility of music and alcohol – are now considered by some governments to be on the path toward violence.

Following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris last January, the French government released a flyer that pointed out the supposed signs of Muslim “radicalisation”, including a Muslim who stops listening to music, stops participating in organised sports activities, or changes the way he or she dresses.

It was reminiscent of the American writer Asra Nomani’s claim that a Muslim saying “inshallah”, an Arabic phrase commonly used by Muslims and non-Muslims alike and meaning “God willing”, is a “red flag”.

However, even prominent global news agencies sometimes fall into the trap of equating Islamic piety with a propensity for violence. Recently, the AFP casually described one Saudi billionaire as a “devout but moderate Muslim“, explicitly implying that one’s piety is normally at odds with one’s “moderation”.

Of course, these are just a few examples of how adhering to even the most basic Islamic beliefs and practices can spur suspicions of violent radicalisation.

Hence, a “good Muslim” becomes one who is least identifiable as Muslim

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