Combatting Islamophobia from within

Many Muslims currently living in the west claim that they are facing discrimination and even bigotry, on a day-to-day basis. While it's difficult to make broad generalisations on such sensitive issues, it's perhaps true that there is an anti-Islamic climate in parts of Europe and the United States that has resulted in increased hate crimes against Muslims. Statistics reveal that there were only 40 to 50 anti-Muslim hate crimes per year in the US before 9/11. Since then these crimes have increased to 100, and then to 150 annually. The Islamophobia that has gripped certain segments of western societies is fuelled by an exaggerated fear of Islam as a violent religion. This hostility is partly the result of negative stereotypes promoted by certain individuals and groups. For example, in the US, the Sharia law conspiracy theory, perpetuated by some members of the Republican Party, holds that the strategy of "stealth jihad" aims at the infiltration of national institutions through the propagation of the Sharia legal system. In Europe, right wing politicians proclaim that increased Muslim immigration may result in transforming "the continent into an Arab colony, Eurabia." There is also a broader trend where hatred against Muslims is propagated in the social as well as mainstream media. Reportedly, after the 2014 release of American Sniper (a movie about a US Navy Seal assigned to hunt for al-Qaeda leader Zarqawi), violent threats against Muslims became more common. Sadly, the transmitters of hate are not always held accountable for their actions.

The unintended fallout of all this is that many European and American Muslims are now feeling marginalised, insecure and polarised. Although most of them are against terrorist acts and are often victims themselves, they are being pronounced "guilty by association" because of the broad-brush anti-Islamic propaganda. 

While there is no "one size fits all" solution to this complex global problem, I believe that there are two ways Muslims can combat the growing Islamophobia: they can either become defensive and go into a shell, or they can be proactive and address the underlying causes of anti-Muslim sentiments. A starting point may be to look at the phenomenon from a neutral perspective and ask: "Why is there a pervading anti-Islamic trend in the world, especially the western world?" If we take account of the violent actions of the so called "Islamists" in the recent past, we might begin to understand why people harbour negative feelings toward Muslims. The appalling beheadings and indiscriminate killings by the Islamic State, the abduction of adolescent school girls by Boko Haram in Nigeria, the murder of journalists in Paris at Charlie Hebdo's office, the brutal massacre of school children in Peshawar, the hacking of atheist bloggers in Bangladesh and the most recent shooting of members of the Ismaili community in Pakistan are being perpetrated by people who assert that they are following the dictates of the Quran. Unfortunately, these barbaric acts have reinforced the hate narrative against Islam.

The counter narrative that the extremists are grossly misinterpreting Islam seems to be making no dent on non-Muslim audiences, who are unfamiliar with the tenets of Islam and have little time and inclination to analyse the Quran and its contents. They only see the writing on the wall that tells a harrowing tale of carnage committed in the name of Islam.

Playing the Islamic card serves the purpose of the terrorists and bigots who want to foster hatred against the west. It also helps them exploit the negative energy of impressionable and frustrated youngsters by making them believe that fighting a religious war and martyrdom will ensure a place for them in heaven.

Analysts and experts' theories claim that most terrorist acts are reactions against the social and political injustices in many Muslim dictatorships, supported by the western powers. The misguided and unfair policies of the powerful western nations and the targeted killings of Muslims in war zones are also cited as reasons for the deep-rooted anger and hatred that the terrorists harbour towards the west.

Whatever the underlying causes of Islamophobia, Muslims need to spend resources and efforts to address the social and political problems within their communities and nations. They should "live" the true message of Islam in order to change stereotyped impressions. Community leaders must encourage others to become good citizens and role models. More importantly, they must have the courage to criticise and resist those who promote strife and spread the message of hate, particularly in madrassas and mosques.

Rather than suffer from the "victim syndrome" and become defensive or go on an attack mode (using counter arguments about violence perpetrated by other religious groups), Muslims need to break walls and build bridges through interfaith collaboration. They must become more inclusive and adaptable. The only way they can change perceptions is by reaching out and convincing people that they have a shared interest in working toward a peaceful and prosperous future for their families and children.

The writer is a renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent and a former employee of the World Bank.