A-2: THE FOUNDATIONS OF ISLAMOPHOBIA IN THE WEST AND HATRED OF WESTIN THE MUSLIM WORLD: MUSLIM RESPONSE TO ISLAMOPHOBIA

أصول الإسلاموفوبيا فى الغرب وكراهية الغرب فى العالم الإسلام و رد فعل المسملين على الإسلاموفوبيا

Abstract

Islamophobia has been at rise in the West since decades and the Europen leaders have deliberately promoted the sentiments of hatred towards Muslims. The most significant name in this regard is that of French president Macron who has ceaselessly spread xenophobic ideas about Islam and Muslims. Although he claims to distinguish between the extremist trends of Islam and the moderate ones, in reality, he is against both strands and his political strategy is based upon creating a horrible image of Islam in Western society. Western political leaders are allegedly using Islamophobic slogans for electoral purposes. Even if one agrees with this style of reasoning, still it needs to be discussed why xenophobic ideas about Muslims make the Western public happy and excited. Hence it becomes clear that much before the current political leadership, Western leaders have cultivated and nurtured hatred towards Islam and Muslims in the hearts of the public, using various propaganda techniques. On the other hand, Muslim countries are surrounded by non-Muslim neighbors; rather in a country like Pakistan there exist religions like Christianity and Hinduism, etc and their followers coexist with Muslims peacefully. Islam teaches its followers tolerance and respect towards other faiths and has exhibited this spirit throughout history. Whereas Europe has raised its generations with Islamophobic sentiments therefore Western youth is unable to see the real picture of Islam and Muslims. Therefore, one finds dual standards being followed by the United Nations and Security Council when it comes to bloodshed in the Muslim world. It is time to take a pause and stop the spread of Islamophobia in the West as it has become a threat to its own societal peace and national security. With the fast spread of Islam, it has become the second largest religion in France so would it be possible to keep society at peace with the two largest religions having hatred towards each other?