Islamic Phobia

                                                  The Impact of 9/11 on the Muslim World


A terrorist is a person who, by force and violence, snatches the rights of other people for his own interests. This selfishness on their part is very dangerous and could result in very hazardous incidents. A terrorist could belong to Eastern or Western, both worlds. The western world could not deny the fact that there are terrorists among them also. They are in every community. A terrorist is a very tyrant person. So he does not have the right to be called a human. He is not a part of mankind as there is no value of a human life in his eyes.

                   The freedom fighter, on the other hand, is the person who fights for his due rights and freedom. He is the person who is forced, by different political circumstances, to pick up ammunition for his struggle of freedom and independence. There is a slight, almost invisible borderline between a freedom fighter and a terrorist. One, who crosses this borderline, enters in the territory of the other one.

Since September 11th, 2001, two religions have headlined in the news and occupied the world’s mind, Christianity and Islam. People believing in these two religions are confused and or upset with each other. They don’t fully understand what or how the other believes.  “Islam is an Arabic word and connotes submission, surrender and obedience”. Islam is the second largest religion in the world. About 21% (1.3 billion) of the world's population follow it. It is the fastest growing religion. In a few years, it is reported that Islam will be the religion with the largest number of followers on Earth, superseding Christianity.

In spite of these numbers Islam is probably the world’s most misunderstood religion with many in the west viewing Muslims as fanatics. This stems from the increased publicity given to Islamic fundamentalists in the wake of September 11. The violence of September 11 and the current war against terrorism have made millions of Americans interested in wanting to learn more about the Islamic religion.  There are many misconceptions associated with the Muslims and their religion Islam. Despite its huge following around the world and the growing Muslim communities in the United States, Islam is foreign to most Americans who are familiar with Christianity or Judaism. Because most Americans know little or nothing about Islam, they have many misconceptions about Muslim beliefs and rituals.

The negative image many people in the United States and Europe have of Islam and the Muslim world has a long history. Many have judged Islam without making an effort to consider this religious tradition on its own terms, without bothering to become acquainted with its teaching and the ways in which Muslims practice their faith. Islam may be considered as an exotic religion to many in the western part of the globe. The impression that Westerners have is usually obtained through the media representing Islamic countries. "Mohammedanism" or "Islam phobia" is a misconception of Islam and offends its very spirit.

The world has changed since the terrible crime of September 11 has been a new rise of an ugly strain of Islam phobia throughout the Western world. The pattern is there: from the horror of 9/11, to the suicide/homicide bombings in Israel, terror attack in Bali, to the flaming frontiers of Albania, Bosnia, Chechnya or Kashmir, all the way down to the brutal hostage-taking and killings in a Moscow theatre, it is given the name of Islam. Islam is alleged about the innocent people who have fallen victim to hideous terrorism and unthinkable cruelty.

The religion of Islam is the complete acceptance of the teaching and guidance of Allah as revealed to his prophet Muhammad peace be upon him (p.b.u.h). A Muslim is on who believes in one God Allah and strives for total re-organization of his life according to His revealed guidance and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). He also works for building human society on the same basis. Therefore, A Muslim cannot be a terrorist and a terrorist cannot be a Muslim either. So, Islam is not to blame. 

There is not a great but a slight difference between the air attack on Iraq and on USA. Both belong to terrorism. There was no proper investigation carried out to point out the real criminal and mastermind behind the scene. Was it fair to attack and kill thousands of innocent people, children, women and old ones, without any evidence on their part? Not at all! There are different theories as to the main objective behind that cruelty. A Large number of people think that it is done by the America herself just to open her fire on the Muslim world. Some people think that Israel is the one to do it. Of course there is also a considerable quantity of people who think that Usama Bin Laden really did this!

         No one has ever cared about the countless people killed regularly in Palestine, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Bosnia, Chechnya and many other Muslim dominant parts of the world. Their number is greatly high than that of the victims of 9/11. They are Muslims who are now again at the risk in Africa and Iraq. Why only these innocent Muslims? America is the most prosperous country in the world today. She has technology to pursue the terrorists everywhere through satellites. Why is she lagging behind? In the name of "War against Terrorism" millions of Muslims have been slaughtered.

Islam is the religion of peace and sanctity. It never gives rise to or encourages the extremists. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) has guided the Muslims to show respect and tolerance towards the non-Muslims and also their fellow-beings. He said, “Be kind to those who are on earth, so that He, Who is in the heavens, may be kind to you ". Islam provides main guidance to its believers through Holy Quran (The Word of Allah). The Holy Quran says: "and show kindness and affection to your parents, and be kind to near relatives, and to orphans, and to the needy; and be considerate to your neighbours- kinsmen and strangers- and to the companions at your side and to the wayfarer and to the slaves in your possession" (Verse 36, Surah An-Nisa, the Woman).

          So the Western world should study and think upon Islam. They should not only remain in a “Islam phobia". Muslim scholars and intellectuals are striving to make this clear cut to the western world that Islam means "PEACE".