Prejudice towards Islam

Islamophobia is the word that describes the prejudice of West towards Islam.


"In 1997, the British Runnymede Trust defined Islamophobia as the "dread or hatred of Islam and therefore, to the fear and dislike of all Muslims," stating that it also refers to the practice of discriminating against Muslims by excluding them from the economic, social, and public life of the nation. It includes the perception that Islam has no values in common with other cultures, is inferior to the West and is a violent political ideology rather than a religion."


"The Case of Swiss Minarets" is yet another example of this prejudice. Following excerpt is an interesting analysis of the situation.


"It is, therefore, quite surprising that of all things bothering the Swiss, the last thing one would have imagined is the building of mosque minarets. Yet, earlier today, a referendum was passed that expressly forbids the building of minarets. The referendum passed with a 57 % majority vote, and 22 out of 26 cantons (Swiss provinces) voted in favor of it. Over 55 % of the population voted in this referendum (to put this figure in perspective, that’s around 4.3 million voters).

One would expect, with such a large number of people voting, that the skylines of Zurich were perhaps being threatened with ominous minarets poking up at every street corner.  Maybe the beauty of the chalets nestled in the Swiss alps was being marred with the presence of mosques suddenly appearing on the back of Swiss postcards. After all, for 4.3 million people to be motivated for an election, surely some huge quantity of minarets would have to exist.

It is, therefore, almost surreal to discover that in the entire country of Switzerland, there are a grand total of fourminarets. Each of these minarets is found in a separate province altogether. Thus, 99.9 % of cities and towns across the country don’t even have a single minaret, and only four cities can boast one minaret each.  That works out to about one minaret per four thousand square miles of Swiss soil (Muslims themselves are less than 5 % of the entire population in Switzerland).

So then, why all the fuss?"

According to the author of the article a "rough sketch" of the response from Muslims is as follows:

1. Quiet Isolation - "Typically, talk of the ever-utopic hijra to Muslim lands."
2. Militant Confrontation - "Muslims must prepare for the inevitable Grand Armageddon between the forces of good and the forces of evil. "
3. Political Activism - "Muslims start writing articles and sending out press releases in order to increase public awareness about the issue. A hue and cry is raised about the travesty of human rights, the prejudice and double-standards shown to Muslims in a supposedly liberal and free society, and the woeful lot of law-abiding loyal Muslims around the Western world."
4. Religious Conservatism - "As they scratch their heads wondering what step to take next, many amongst them opt to join one of the three aforementioned categories, whereas others increase in their commitment to Islam, studying the religion and increasing their awareness of the tradition."
5. As Usual - "Unclassifiable, uncommitted, non-practicing Muslims who go about their daily lives, completely oblivious to the changes happening around the world and unconcerned about transformations in the political and intellectual currents of the world. Sadly, this category forms the bulk of the Ummah."

If Quran is the guidance for Muslims in this world and hereafter, then we all - Muslims - should turn to Quran for guidance.

This is the Book; In it is guidance sure, without doubt, To those who fear God; Aya 2 of Sura Al-Baqara

Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion. Say: “The guidance of Allah that is the (only) guidance.” Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee then wouldst thou find neither protector nor helper against Allah. “ Aya 120 of Sura Al-Baqara

“Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home): unto all (in faith) hath Allah promised good: but those who strive and fight hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward.” Aya 95 of Sura An-Nisaa

“When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls they say: “In what (plight) were ye?” They reply: “Weak and oppressed were we in the earth.” They say: “Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (from evil)?” Such men will find their abode in Hell what an evil refuge!” Aya 97 of Sura An-Nisaa

Ye have indeed In the Apostle of God A beautiful pattern (of conduct) For any one whose hope is In God and the Final Day, And who engages much In the praise of God. Aya 21 of Sura Al-Ahzab

Narrated Umar bin Al Khattab

The Prophet said, "The (reward of) deeds depend on intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he intends. So, whoever migrated for Allah and His Apostle, then his migration will be for Allah and His Apostle, and whoever migrated for worldly benefits or for marrying a woman, then his migration will be for what he migrated for."  Sahih Bukhari 3.706

Narrated Ibn Abbas

The Prophet said, on the day of the conquest of Mecca, "There is no migration (after the conquest), but Jihad and good intentions, and when you are called for Jihad, you should immediately respond to the call."  Sahih Bukhari 4.311

One can draw following conclusions from reading of above.

1. Jews and Christians will never be satisfied with Muslims until the Muslims follow their religion. So if someone wants to please them he should be ready to convert to Christianity.
2. Muslims should not hide behind pretexts rather should struggle for their identity.
3. The course to follow is
1. When weak and oppressed, should migrate to other areas where they are safe and can perform their religious duties.
2. When they attain sufficient strength then they should fight in the way of Allah.