Muhammad Riaz explains how Islamophobia is increasing at an alarming rate and how it is seen throughout our world in many different forms.
By: Muhammad Riaz Credit: The Myriad News
From the Uighur concentration camps and many everyday hate crimes towards Muslims to anti-Muslim policies adopted in several countries. Islamophobia is on the rise worldwide—and it’s only getting worse.
Islamophobia is seen through small and large actions
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Islamophobia as the “irrational fear of, aversion to or discrimination against Islam or people who practice Islam.” According to the International Civil Liberties Alliance, we first see this term almost a century ago, but it wasn’t until the 1980’s we see this term in multiple languages around the world in response to a widely controversial Islamophobia book. Since then, we can see Islamophobia increasing in usage and popularity around the world, especially after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
We can see Islamophobia through small actions such as staring at modestly dressed Muslim women and asking inappropriate questions. We also see it through verbal assault, like insults or physical assault and hate crimes, like pulling off someone’s hijab. We see Islamophobia and anti-Muslim policies in many governments, such as France and China. It is important to note that criticizing Islam, its practices, its teachings and its culture are not Islamophobic remarks unless they specifically demean Muslims or spread hatred towards Muslims.
Governments around the world are adopting anti-Muslim policies
Many countries around that world are adopting anti-Muslim laws and policies, most commonly, burka bans. Currently, there are 16 countries in which full face coverings like burkas have a ban placed on them. These countries include France, the Netherlands, China and several others. There are several local and state rulings against niqabs and burkas as well and more being suggested.
Some claim these laws are not part of anti-Muslim agendas, rather put in place to keep people identifiable. Others disprove this claim by citing that a few countries, including France, are making face coverings mandatory to slow the spread of Covid-19, yet keep their ban on religious face coverings.
Other laws against Muslims also exist in many places. Russia, for a while, placed a ban on Qurans and Angola placed a ban on practicing Islam in general. The Chinese government is trying to stop the spread of Islam and forcibly control the Muslim population in China. They are heavily monitoring the Muslims there and are forcing up to one million of them into “re-education” concentration camps.
Al Jazeera reports the Chinese government put a ban on the Islamic crescent and other Islamic symbols. In some cases they removed the crescents off the domes of mosques. They are arresting the Muslims caught praying, fasting, growing beards or wearing religious coverings. In China, they are shutting down religious schools and Muslims cannot own Qurans. The South China Morning Post shines light on the illegal closures of mosques and Arabic schools around China which, once again, limits the practice of Islam.
Discrimination and prejudice against Muslims is seen worldwide
Muslims all around the world face a variety of forms of prejudice and discrimination. This can range from discrimination in law to hate crimes and verbal assault. In Europe, for example, the majority of people believe that Muslim refugees and refugees from Muslim majority countries are stealing jobs and increasing terrorism..
The Pew Research Center conducted a survey across ten European countries and collected data reflecting how the majority of citizens feel about the refugees in their countries. The research found on average about 58 percent of citizens in the countries surveyed agreed Muslim refugees would increase the likelihood of terrorism in Europe. The same survey also found that around 54 percent of those surveyed agreed the refugees would take job opportunities and social benefits away from citizens.
When asked about their views of Muslims in their country, around 48 percent of those surveyed said they have a negative view towards Muslims. In some countries, like Hungary, the percentage is as high as 72 percent. In 5 of the countries surveyed the disapproval rate of Muslims is more than 50 percent, meaning the majority of Southern and Eastern Europe disapprove of Muslims. This, in turn, causes Islamophobia, discrimination against Muslims, and hate crimes.
Daily, Muslims experience hate crimes like assault, and some even fall victim to attacks targeted at Muslims. On March 15, 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand, a man opened fire at two nearby mosques as many Muslims were leaving noon prayer. This man is Brenton Harrison Tennant and he is responsible for the death of 50 people, the injuries of 50 people and the trauma to many others. The police who responded to the call found two explosive devices, ready to use, in his car during their investigation. They later found out he posted a manifesto earlier mentioning far-right, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant ideologies.
The Christchurch mosque shooting is one of the darkest days in New Zealand and for Muslims around the world. A situation like this is not uncommon – many times have Muslims being victims of violent attacks. Other hate crimes happen daily to Muslims. Some people assault Muslim women, even teenagers at school, for wearing hijabs and niqabs by pulling off their religious coverings.. Countless others are falling victim to verbal assault and bullying.
Islamaphobia is prevalent in China and Myanmar
Currently, in China, they are holding up to one million Uighur Muslims in concentration camps. Though many have spoken up about it, we do not see any action taken against China. They are torturing these Muslims and forcing them to go against their religion. They are also forcibly sterilizing the women to control the Muslim population. The Uighur crisis is becoming a genocide and needs to stop.
The Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar are facing a crisis as well. They are persecuting the Rohingya and pushing them out of their homes. The exodus started in 2017, and since then, many Rohingya Muslims, who were the minority in Myanmar, have died and others are fleeing to neighboring countries to survive. The UN finally enforced Myanmar to protect their minority Muslims in 2020.
Islamophobia needs to be minimized around the world
Islamophobia is a global crisis and we need to recognize it as such. Too many Muslims suffer due to Islamophobia and discrimination, yet the majority stays silent while everything unfolds. To help reduce islamophobia, the world needs to recognize the issue, listen to Muslims’ stories, raise awareness, and educate others about the issue. There need to be stricter rules about hate crimes, and the anti-Muslim government policies need to stop. Stop the hatred – say “no” to Islamophobia!