| |
 Print
Political Opportunism in the language of fight against terrorism
2-10-2015
The atrocities and crimes against humanity carried out by individuals in the name of their affiliations are condemable. It needs to be distinguished that all the atrocities are falsely carried out in the name of Islam.
Canadian Muslim Imams, organisations and individuals of all denominations have expressed horror and disgust against all terrorist activities carried out in the name of Islam. They have made it abundantly clear that they do not accept the ideology behind the senseless killings and they are nothing but crimes against humanity. Anyone with an IQ of a grade five student would understand that these actions of terrorist constitute the worst condemnable sin as mentioned in the Holy Quran.
The quran clearly states
“That if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.” surat l-maidah Verse (5:32)
But unfortunately there are many who would like to associate all the actions of terrorists with Islam and Muslims. Simply because that is all they can do or benefit from.
- Dr. Shuja Shafi, The British Muslim Council, say “Muslims in Britain and around the world have condemned these people, and the arguments they use have been refuted comprehensively as being far from the religion of Islam.”
A recent article published by www.americanprogress.org identifies a network involving a minority groups engaged in the manufacture of Hate in America.
In 2011, The Center for American Progress published “Fear, Inc.: The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America” in order to identify and expose the organizations, scholars, pundits, and activists comprising a tightly linked network that spread misinformation and hateful propaganda about American Muslims and Islam. The report found that seven charitable foundations spent $42.6 million between 2001 and 2009 to support the spread of anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Islamophobia comes in many shapes and forms. It is perpetuated by Media outlets, individuals, organizations, only because they can sell it to gather an audience or to be seen as being the saviour of Free Speech and Democracy.
News media outlets and Broadcasters such as Fox News and Sun News network are consistently trying to tarnish the image of Islam and Muslims by being biased in their media coverage of events which would portray Muslims as threats to society or at least the sole reason for the society’s problems.
But the general public has also become more cautious, and has effectively rejected many of these anti-Muslim efforts. While 58 percent of Canadians see Muslims as partners against terrorism, 42% does not. It is this 42% of Canadians the Muslims need to reach out to and convey the message effectively.
Whats more dangerous is that Politicians are effectively targeting this 58 or 42 percenters.
As we approach an election this year, the politicians are cashing in on Terrorists.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper while introducing Bil c-51 could not resist to link between radicalization and mosques.
“It doesn’t matter what the age of the person is, or whether they’re in a basement, or whether they’re in a mosque or somewhere else,” Harper said Friday in Richmond Hill, Ont.
We at Alameen post were the first to take objections on the word “Mosque” on a Facebook comment on the article. Later, Two national Muslim organizations issued a press release stating that they are troubled that Prime Minister Stephen
Harper last week drew a link between radicalization and mosques.
“The words used by our elected leaders have a profound impact on public perceptions. At a time when Canadian Muslims have faced hateful attacks and vandalism against their places of worship, the prime minister’s remarks have regrettably cast an unjust shadow of suspicion on Canadian Muslim communities and have distorted the nature of security threats,” the news release said.
“We remind the prime minister that Canadian mosques and Islamic associations across the country are at the forefront in confronting radicalization towards violent extremism and have and continue to work hand in hand with law enforcement and security agencies to promote public safety.”
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said the two groups are right to demand an apology.
"It was irresponsible of the prime minister to throw the mosques into his comments. It was a form of Islamophobia and it was wrong. So he should realize that he was wrong to do that and simply apologize to the Muslim community," Mulcair said after question period.
It is highly unlikely PM HARPER will do the right thing.
Footnotes:
|