Islam is a peaceful religion and Muslims have some distinct blessings owing to their belief in one God “Allah” and accepting Muhammad (P.B.U.H) as the last Prophet. For decades, enemies of the Muslim world have been engaged in Islamophobia aiming to segregate Muslims. In the 21st century, anti-Muslim bigotry is rising more with the global rise of technology. Hybrid warfare and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have become easy tools to modify ideologies and to barrage hate. Various social media platforms have been used to incite and hurt Muslim sentiments by spreading Islamophobia and xenophobic language.
Anti-Islamic propaganda is mostly made at the crucial time of Muslim development in order to misdirect from the original mission to shattering sentiments. Islamophobia is used as a tool of war, where prejudice against this particular religion is quite evident in the form of amalgamation of Islam with “terrorism”. This is such a firm turn, as Muslim leaders unceasingly clarified that Islam has no link with terrorism, which is undoubtedly known to everyone, however, pretend fake just to make a ground for propaganda against Muslims.
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Who is brewing the anti-Muslim agendas?
For so long, various countries including India, have been brazenly pursuing anti-Muslim agendas, recently in the southern Indian state Karnataka, where Hindu extremist mob heckled a girl for wearing hijab. Despite the outrage on this matter, the Indian high court has opted to restrict religious clothing until a final verdict is reached. As a consequence, Muslim girls would suffer until a final decision is reached since they will be unable to wear religious attire or will prefer hijab over education. On both ends, they have to suffer, either by sacrificing religious freedom or education. History is replete with such examples where countries’ leaders’ endorsement for such crimes fueled hostility more throughout the Muslim world.
The reality of the countries who are involved in such inhumane acts is so acrimonious that on one side they claim to be modern, on contrary, consider Islam as a conservative religion. Nonetheless, in reality, their thoughts are still blocked in a petite shell, restricting them from accepting other religions, particularly Islam. The short-sighted anti-Islam views reveal their harsh reality and dual standards. Fashion models in full clothes (head to toe), caps and handkerchiefs (aimed to cover head) are acceptable for them, however, hijab which is permitted in Islam is prohibited and considered disgraceful in their eyes.
The misperception regarding the Islamic veil is that it is a barrier that hinders people from expressing their thoughts; nonetheless, no apparel has the power to alter ideology. The time has shifted and has brought the world into the situation which has enforced everyone to wear face masks aiming to get rid of COVID-19. Face covering, which was once a source of consternation for non-Muslims, has now become a universal requirement.
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This brings up the issue that where are such narrow-minded ideologies now?
Has covering face changed their mindsets and visions too? No, it has definitely not changed anyone’s ideology, thus, it is essential to comprehend that covering body has no linkage with ideology or anything. Undeniably, wars and rivalries are a part of life; nevertheless, the question that arises here is that adversaries of the Muslim world have no other strategy than to inhumane or disrespect religion? This demonstrates that covering the head, face, or body or having a beard are not issues; rather, the problem for them is the existence of Muslims; thus, they objectify Islam which is nothing but a mere fear of Islam’s exaltation and inevitably, the Muslim world.
Muhammad (P.B.U.H), an Islamic leader says, “There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, or of a non-Arab over an Arab, and no superiority of a white person over a black person or of a black person over a white person, except on the basis of personal piety and righteousness.”
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Which elucidates Islam’s non-discrimination stance. How long such tactics will be played to dislocate Muslims? France Islamophobia case study 2021 is still alive in Muslim’s hearts and now Hijab row has compelled so many Muslims to boycott their products and ideologies at least. Though such propagandas hurt Muslim sentiments at the same time it provides greater courage to raise their voice against such anti-humanitarian and anti-Islam views, as well as to spread Islam.
The writer is currently working as a Communication Officer at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.