Dr Muhammad Khan
From a realistic analysis of the post 9/11 global events, one aspect is absolutely clear that, globally Muslims became the sole target in the garb of war on terror. Whereas, some of the Muslim countries were physically invaded through foreign military forces, Muslims all over the world, remained target of those who architected this disastrous event. According to a study conducted to ascertain the facts, globally there has been a sharp increase in the violence against Muslims, sequel to this event. The data collected and collated in this regard reveals that, “as many as 6 million Muslims may have been directly and indirectly killed since the 9/11.” This include; the military invasions took place in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria etc. inter-state conflicts and individual incidents, consuming huge Muslim masse world over.
This process of exploiting, humiliating and massacring Muslims is continuing world-wide with transformed techniques, motives and motivations. The widely projected and practiced forms of anti-Muslim violence and bigotry include; frequent humiliations, public beating, burning and desecration of Holy Quran, destroying the mosques and killings at will. The tragic part of this entire global campaign is that, those commit such acts covertly or overtly mostly remained unpunished and unaccounted far. Such wrongdoers were never declared as terrorists or militants, rather protected through freedom of expression and freedom to do anything at will. The excuse their governments generally take to cover-up these offenders is freedom of expression and freedom of actions under the liberal democracies in their countries. The sad part of this freedom and liberalism is that, they have the permission to exploit, humiliate and kill Muslims only. Besides, this freedom is only for the public burning and desecration of Holy Quran and damaging mosques. In no way, this freedom is allowed to humiliate, exploit and kill other communities like; Christians, Jews, Hindus etc. The events took place since the beginnings of 21st century are indicative of the fact that, Muslims and Islam were (are) the sole target world over.
On November 22, 2019, a 31 years old pregnant Muslim woman while sitting with friends at Bay Vista cafe in Australia was assaulted, badly beaten and humiliated by a 43-year-old Stipe Lozina Christen publically. It is said that, the attacker was shouting against Muslims and Islam, a mind-set mostly found in the west and liberal world. The lady was never a threat for that man or the people sitting in Café. There was another very sad and serious incident of desecration and burning of Holy Quran in Norway, otherwise considered to be a very decent state. A group of people belonging Norway, publically gathered under the protection of police to undertake this undesired and bigotry act despite wide-spread protests of Muslims. These people were never declared terrorists.
In March 2019, Brenton Tarrant, an Australian origin, New Zealand citizen killed 50 Muslims in Christchurch, while they were assembling for Friday Prayers in mosque. These 50 people killed in this terror attack were innocent, peaceful bread earners for their families through nonviolent means and indeed supplicant of peace and love for humanity from Allah Almighty during the Friday prayers, since Prayers in Islam is all about peace and love. All those killed (Martyred) were Muslims from all over the world had no enmity and antagonism with Brenton Tarrant or anyone in New Zealand. None had weapons and explosive in their houses or at mosques as no one fought back.
Indeed, there is a mind-set, existing globally against Islam and Muslims, who are being targeted under the garb of terrorism. In fact, it appears that, the term terrorism and its post 9/11 application has been especially coined for the Muslim and to defame Islam. In reality, Islam is a religion of peace, love and harmony for entire human beings. The Holy Quran says; ‘he who kills an innocent human being, as if he has killed the entire human beings.’ The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘The best among you is the one who Benefits human beings’. With such clarity and brevity; the love, peace and respect for entire humanity, should the Islam as a religion and Muslims as its followers be hated by followers of other beliefs? No logical human being and a rational mind would hate such a loving Religion and its followers. Then, why this Global Anti-Muslim Violence and Bigotry is found everywhere in the world with new impetus.
Indeed, there is a wide spread Islamophobia, hatred against Islam and Muslims which is not coming to an end. It is not only a rise of white nationalism (racism) and anti-Muslim bigotry in United States and Europe. In fact, Muslims are humiliated, exploited and killed all over the world; purely based on their believe system, not the race. There are white Muslims, who are equally targeted by these exploitative international forces. In India, there is planned strategy of discriminating and humiliating the Muslims under current government without any condemnation by international powers. Muslims of Indian occupied Kashmir have been killed in thousands since last three decades. The Palestinian Muslims are killed through planned strategy by Israel under full international backing. In fact, it seems all have joined hands against Muslims and Islam. The media corporations of the some countries are involved in fanning the flames of anti-Muslim sentiments; the Islamophobia.
Since Muslims are not the beneficiary of creating this mind-set; the Islamophobia and hatred against Muslims and Islam. Therefore, this Global Anti-Muslim Violence and Bigotry has to be fought back in the light of teachings of Islam through peaceful means. However, there is an equal responsibility of international community, especially the civilized West to stop exploiting the Muslims in the name of freedom of expression.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and International Relations at International Islamic University, Islamabad.