Stop #Islamophobia

Stop Islamophobia

Islamophobia is alive today, as I was reminded again a few days ago when someone told me that the Qur'an only teaches hatred. Chalk that up perhaps to ignorance, but like many people, he expressed at the same time a fear of Muslims that I have noticed in many countries all over the world. I define this as Islamophobia.

Yet I just read an article claiming that Islamophobia does not exist, and another contending that since anti-Islamic crimes have declined after peaking in September 2001 the US cannot be described as Islamophobic.

However, if Islamophobia is defined as a fear or hatred of Islam and Muslims, then it does exist. In fact, some Muslims argue that this term is inadequate to describe the hatred of their faith and the discrimination they experience. They would prefer to call it 'anti-Islamic racism' since it combines a dislike of a particular religion and an active discrimination against the people who belong to that faith.

Jews, who have suffered discrimination, protest Islamophobia

The Runnymede Trust in the 1997 document, "Islamophobia: A Challenge For Us All," identified eight components that define Islamophobia. These are just as relevant today as they were 15 years ago:

1) Islam is seen as a monolithic bloc, static and unresponsive to change.

2) Islam is seen as separate and 'other'. It does not have values in common with other cultures, is not affected by them and does not influence them.

3) Islam is seen as inferior to the West. It is seen as barbaric, irrational, primitive and sexist.

4) Islam is seen as violent, aggressive, threatening, supportive of terrorism and engaged in a 'clash of civilisations.'

5) Islam is seen as a political ideology and is used for political or military advantage.

6) Criticisms made of the West by Islam are rejected out of hand.

7) Hostility towards Islam is used to justify discriminatory practices towards Muslims and exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society.

8) Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural or normal.

Islamophobia is a website that describes Islamophobia as "an irrational fear or prejudice towards Islam and Muslims." It includes many articles introducing Islam. Another site documents cases of Islamophobia.

Islamophobia is irrational, not Islam. We tend to fear the unknown or things that we are ignorant of. The list that the Runnymede Trust provides illustrates the appalling ignorance of many people about Islam. One of the most effective ways of combating Islamophobia is through education. It is by far the easiest, since deep-seated prejudices are harder to eradicate.

Some people, unfortunately, prefer to wallow in ignorance. They only know the myths that the media, or at least segments thereof, pedal in order to sell what purports to be news.

Nearly a fifth of Americans believe that Barack Obama is Muslim. This myth was popular during the 2008 election in the US. In this election year it is crucial that this blatant example of Islamophobia be eradicated once and for all. Unfortunately, it will probably be perpetuated by those who can benefit from such ignorance.

Europeans are not immune to Islamophobia either. Many there dread “Eurabia,” the ostensibly imminent Arab/Muslim takeover of the continent, even though its Muslim population is less than 3 per cent.

Islamophobia is not just interpersonal: it is systemic. It is intimately connected with sexism and violence, both of which are endemic in Western societies. That is why it is so difficult to eradicate Islamophobia.

The media are complicit in perpetuating Islamophobia. Many journalists know little about religion in general and Islam in particular. Deadlines are one factor in their ignorance but much more crucial is the relegation of religion to the private sphere in the West. Secularized journalists thus find it especially difficult to understand Islam, a religion that contradicts this relegation, since it emphatically denies the public/private distinction.

Anti-semitism and Christophobia exist as well in Western societies. The former is attacked more often than any other group in the US, but this does not mean that Islamophobia is "a gross exaggeration that has been peddled by Muslim political leaders with an agenda," as one website puts it. 

All hate crimes must stop, not just the one perpetrated against the group one belongs to. Islamophobia must be eradicated. The fight against every form of religious phobia is part of that process of eradication. 

We must support each other so that one day every form of religious phobia will be gone.

 Isha'Allah.

Man charged with spitting at Muslim woman as she walked through Bristol’s Cabot Circus

Police have charged a 26-year-old man with spitting at a Muslim woman as she walked through Cabot Circus.

As previously reported, Hasina Khan was on her way to work when she was allegedly attacked at about 9am on July 21. Ms Khan said she had was spat on and verbally abused by a stranger who approached her as she walked through the shopping centre.

Avon and Somerset police arrested Jack Hughes, of Upton Road, Southville. He has now been charged with racially- or religiously-aggravated common assault and is due to appear before Bristol magistrates on November 13.

Any witnesses to the incident who have not yet come forward should call PC Hannah King on 101, quoting crime reference number 74214/14.

A Muslim woman was left shocked and in tears when she was verbally abused and spat at by a stranger ranting about the Middle East.

Hasina Khan, who was born in Bristol, was on her way to work when she was attacked by a man in Cabot Circus at about 9am on Monday. Saliva ended up on her hijab and her left hand.

The 36-year-old, who lives in Horfield, said: “I’ve experienced hostility and racism many times, from being called Paki in the street to having alcohol thrown at me.

“I remember during the 1990 Iraq invasion being pushed by a boy at school followed by ‘haha we are bombing you’, to more recent years when the world turned to topple Libya and I experienced yet again a rise in racism. In fact, every time there is aggression towards Muslims outside of the UK, I experience aggression from within the UK.

“However, nothing could prepare me for what happened on Monday. Because of Israel’s bombardment of the mainly-Muslim population of Gaza, was I again being targeted?

“I had just past Pret A Manger and a man came charging towards me with such aggression I thought he was going to punch me in the face. He was ranting and he spat in my face. I felt it fall onto my left hand.

“I was in shock at what was happening. I asked him what his problem was, but he continued to rant and said something along the lines of ‘your people are killing’ and something about ‘Middle East’ and ‘killing Christians’. He spat at me again. It was terrifying. I thought he was going to attack me at any second.

“Then my defence mechanism just kicked in and I started to shout at him. What a coward – he then started to back away. He tried to say something else, but I continued to shout at him until he left Cabot Circus. I’ve read so many reports that hate crime towards Muslim women is increasing in the UK, but nothing really prepares you for what to do if it happens and how humiliating, terrifying and dirty it makes you feel.

“I hope he is caught so he cannot terrorise and traumatise other women.”

The attacker was white, with short-brown hair and a short beard, a dark-green T-shirt with a white pattern or writing on the front, and he had two silver necklaces with silver coin-shaped pendants.

When Hasina arrived at work near Temple Meads she found her hijab covered in spit. She washed it off, but was later told by police saliva can be used for DNA, so wants to warn others in case something similar happens to them. She said she hoped the city council, police and Muslim community could work together as much as possible to reduce religious and racial hate crimes.

Hasina was disappointed a call was turned down for a minute’s silence for the people of Palestine to be held at a Bristol City Council meeting this week.

Giving advice to other Muslim women, Hasina said: “Perhaps Muslim women should carry a spare scarf so they can have a clean one, should they be attacked. I would also suggest, if possible, Muslim women do not travel alone, even in the daylight, as these cowardly men seem to prey on what they perceive to be vulnerable looking young women.”

When she arrived at work, her colleagues rallied around her.

Heather Hatch said: “Thankfully, Hasina was not physically injured but mentally she was shocked, upset, shaking and tearful from the unprovoked attack.”

Carolyn Parker added: “When I saw Hasina rinsing clothing on Monday morning, I had assumed spilt coffee or similar, so was shocked when I realised that she was shaking and very upset. Asking if she was OK, I was even more shocked at her response which included expletives that I had never heard her utter before. When she told me that no one had tried to help, or even asked afterwards whether she was ok, I was truly sickened by the public’s lack of action towards her.”

Another colleague, Leanne Fletcher said: “I am so shocked by what happened to Hasina and can only imagine how terrified she would of felt when this man assaulted her in Cabot circus on her way to work. I can only hope that this will not make her afraid to walk around the city she was born in. This was a disgusting act and a violation to her.”

Avon and Somerset police spokesman Martin Dunscombe said: “Officers are investigating these allegations and taking them very seriously. We know there were other people in Cabot Circus at the time and we would appeal for anyone who witnessed what happened, or has any information that might help the investigation, to contact us on 101, quoting 74214/14.”

Victims of hate crimes can call Tell MAMA on 08004561226.

Bristol Post, 24 July 2014

For an earlier attack on a Muslim woman in Bristol, see “Muslim girl spat at and racially abused in Bristol city centre – and no one came to help”, Bristol Post, 17 July 2014

Update:  See “Muslim spitting incident: police release CCTV images of suspect”, Bristol Post, 28 July 2014

Update 2:  “Muslim woman who was spat on in Bristol speaks out”, BBC News, 30 July 2014

Update 3:  See “Arrest over racial spitting incident in Cabot Circus, Bristol”, Bristol Post, 31 July 2014

VIDEO: Wendell Phillips's extraordinary #Yemen quest

VIDEO: Wendell Phillips's extraordinary #Yemen quest

Wendell Phillips is often described as America's Lawrence of Arabia.

In 1949 he put together the largest archaeological expedition to Yemen, hoping to find the ancient cities of Timna and Marib - legendary home of the Queen of Sheba.

What Phillips discovered and his trail blazing adventures are the subject of a new exhibition, Unearthing Arabia, at the Freer and Sackler Galleries in Washington.

The BBC's Jane O'Brien went to see how a dashing young explorer made history on one of the last frontiers of archaeology.

The Day of Arafat During Hajj, 2014

Hajj explained: your simple guide to Islam’s annual pilgrimage

Millions of Muslims this week flock to Islam’s holiest city of Makkah to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage.

Being the fifth pillar of Islam, hajj or the act of making a pilgrimage is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims.

Adult Muslims are required to perform hajj at least once in lifetime if they have the physical and financial ability.

In it, pilgrims follow the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim and his family, said Ridwan al-Sayed, professor of Islamic studies at the Lebanese University in Beirut.

“Prophet Ibrahim preached the oneness of allha  , a message that was later revived and renewed by the last of all Prophets, Muhammad (peace be upon him),” 

“Ibrahim, along with his son Ismail built the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. And accordingly, this pillar reflects the notion of complete submission to Allah and the Abrahamic faith.”

For many pilgrims, hajj is perceived to be a journey of the body and the soul at the same time.

The first day of hajj is 8 Zil Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. The holy journey requires the pilgrim to perform ten rituals before and during hajj.

Here are the basic steps you may want to know about hajj:

State of Ihram: This is considered the first step for any pilgrim wishing to perform hajj. To enter the state of Ihram, a pilgrim has to recite an intention to perform hajj called the Talabiya. This is when a pilgrim prepares one’s soul, mind and body for journey to the Almighty God. Entering the stage begins from the Miqat, or a place that is outside the pilgrimage area.

Men and women going on hajj adhere to a specific dress code which is aimed at showing modesty and shedding all signs of wealth. Men don unstitched white garments, while women wear normal stitched clothes and a headscarf. Women are forbidden however from wearing the burqa or niqab.

In fact, the word Ihram originates from the Arabic term Tahreem, which means prohibited. Because the state is believed to have a special essence of spiritual purity, there are certain acts that are not allowed for pilgrims. Among them are using perfumes, cutting hair or nails, and slaughtering animals.

Makkah: The Saudi Arabian city is considered Islam’s holiest site, as it holds al-Masjid al-Haram or the Grand Mosque that surrounds the Kaaba, a cuboid shaped building which Muslims believe has been put up together by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail almost 4, 000 years ago.

Eid Greetings For Friends And Family: 14 Messages For Eid Al-Adha 2014

Eid al-Adha 2014 falls on the first weekend of October this year. The second Eid festival of the year begins on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 4 and ends on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 5. Also known as the Fest of the Sacrifice, the BBC explains that the holiday honors Abraham's sacrifice of his son, Ishmael, to obey the commands of Allah.

While a vast majority of Latinos are Catholic -- with a new study finding that many are opting for atheism -- there is still a significant portion of the Latino population that practices Islam. Current estimates suggest that one-fourth of the world's population is Muslim (roughly 2.6 billion) and new reports have found that many Hispanics are converting to the faith. Consider this: the BBC reports that the U.S. Census finds that Latino Muslims number between 100,000 and 200,000. What's more, CNN reports that a 2011 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Lifefound that 2.75 million Muslims live in the United States and in 2008, four percent of America's Muslims identified themselves as Latinos.

Here are 14 Eid greetings to share with your friends, family and peers this Eid al-Adha:

1. "Kul 'am wa enta bi-khair!" -- ("May every year find you in good health!")

2. "Eid Mubarak!" -- ("Blessed Eid!")

3. "Eid Saeed!" -- ("Happy Eid!")

4. "Taqabbala Allahu minna wa minkum." -- ("May Allah accept from us, and from you.")

5. Hope Love & Laughter, warmth & wishes joy and a Bouquet of Eid Wishes, Especially for you!!! jublications become a past of your eid and your life....! EID MUBARAK

6. Sending u warm wishes on "EID-UL-Fitr" and wishing that, it brings your way ever joys and happiness. Remember me in ur prayers.

7. May you be guided by your faith in Allah & shine in his divine blessings! Eid Mubarak

8. Its more than just an Eid wish, more than a message too.   For it comes with warm and loving thoughts because it's meant for you.

9. May the choicest blessing of Allah fill your life with joy and prosperity. EID MUBARAK

10. May the day delight and the moments measure all the special joys for all of you to treasure. May the year ahead be fruitful too, for your home and family and specially for you. EID MUBARAK

11. Hold to forgiveness, command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant." [7:199]

12. He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise. [59:24]

13. "Have patience with what they say, and leaves them with noble (dignity)." [73:10]

14. "The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto: but if a person forgets and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah." [62:40]

#Muslim woman attacked on Vienna train

A 37-year-old Muslim woman from Vienna has complained to police after being attacked by a woman whilst travelling on Vienna’s metro.

Zeliha Cicek

She believes that the woman, who hit her in the face, did so because she was wearing a headscarf. Police said they believed the attacker was “disturbed”.

Zeliha Cicek is the third Muslim to have been assaulted in Vienna in the last month.

Cicek, a school teacher and mother of three children, is ethnically Turkish. She said she was talking to her sister on an U3 underground train on her mobile phone when the woman started shouting at her in English. “I calmly told her she could speak to me in German and suddenly she stood up and slapped me in the face. I dropped my phone and it broke, I was so shocked,” she said.

An English man came to Cicek’s aid but the angry woman scratched his face. She got out of the train at Stephansplatz – and despite Cicek screaming that she had attacked her the woman was able to flee without being stopped.

Cicek told the Kurier newspaper that she didn’t believe that the woman was drunk or mad. “The English man also thought that she had a problem with me wearing the headscarf,” she said.

In August two elderly Muslim ladies wearing headscarves were attacked in Favoritenstraße. Police were reportedly slow to respond to this incident, and only began questioning suspects days after.

Austria’s Islamic Religious Community Association said that Muslims often experience discrimination in Austria but that “it is not well documented”. Spokeswoman Carla Amina Baghajati said that the association plans to start collecting data on all religiously motivated incidents. However, she said she did not believe that the police lacked sensitivity to the issue.

Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner again warned against the “spread of hatred and incitement by populists. They become complicit when it comes to attacks on innocent people.”

Egyptian actor #KhaledSaleh dies at 50 #Egypt

Renowned television and movie star Khaled Saleh has died following complications from an open heart surgery.

                     GOOD BYE Khaled ;(

Khaled saleh @ wikipedia

The popular actor passed away at the Magdi Yacoub Heart Centre in Aswan following a heart surgery. According to a representative, the star’s funeral will be held on Friday.

Born on January 23, 1964 in Cairo, Khaled Saleh graduated from Cairo University’s Faculty of Law before becoming a performance artist at Al-Hanager Theatre and the Cairo Opera House.

Mr Saleh commenced acting behind the silver screen in the year 2000 and starred in the internationally acclaimed The Yacoubian Building (2006) and other films such asHeya Fawda ‘This is Chaos’ (2007) and Alrayes Omar Harb (2008).

last VM Form Khaled Saleh

#RIPKhaledSaleh Tweets #KhaledSaleh Tweets