Islamophobia

Islamophobia reality

EditorialPublished March 17, 2022

THE UN’s decision to recognise March 15 as the International Day to Combat

Islamophobia must be lauded, especially in the backdrop of global hate crimes
and state-sanctioned bias against Muslims. The decision was approved by the UN
General Assembly after a resolution was introduced by Pakistan. Along with
calling for the international community to curb Islamophobia, the resolution also
condemns bias against followers of other faiths. The sad truth is that for millions
of people around the world, Islamophobia is not some nebulous concept, but a
toxic everyday reality.

Islamophobia can take several forms, which can include insidious attempts to
exclude Muslims from jobs, housing and education on the basis of their faith. Or it
can take more violent forms, such as state-sanctioned attacks and pogroms
targeting the Muslim community. All of these manifestations of hate need to be
combated vigorously. Islamophobia was given a fillip during the so-called war on
terror when the actions of violent actors, claiming to be fighting for the glory of
Islam, resulted in ordinary Muslims having to face the consequences. In the post-
9/11 era, the repercussions include profiling on the basis of faith, as well as
deadly vigilante attacks on Muslims or those who ‘look’ like Muslims. Today, anti-
Islamic prejudice has taken on new forms, especially at the state level. The
decision by the Karnataka High Court in India to uphold the hijab ban in
educational institutions comes across as one that has been heavily influenced by
the desire of the state to ‘otherise’ the Muslim community. Sadly, the Indian
government wants to dictate what Muslim women can or cannot wear. However,
India’s hijab controversy cannot be seen in isolation. It is part and parcel of the
anti-Muslim rhetoric that the chauvinist BJP government has been pushing ever
since Narendra Modi took power. Discriminatory citizenship laws, lynching of
Muslims on suspicions of consuming or transporting beef, and bans on communal
prayers are all part of this sinister anti-Muslim action that the BJP has been
pushing. It is exactly this type of hatred that the day against Islamophobia seeks
to highlight.

Even elsewhere, decisions to ban or limit the sale of halal meat, as in Europe,
along with attempts by far-right parties in the West to demonise Muslims,
illustrate the need for a concerted effort to combat Islamophobia. Pakistan has
done the right thing by bringing this key issue to the global stage. In a world riven
by hatred, efforts are needed to promote tolerance and pluralism. This includes
allowing followers of all faiths to practise their beliefs freely, while Muslim states
also have a responsibility to protect their minorities from extremists.
Unfortunately, populists and rabble rousers always exploit the schisms in society.
To counter their designs, states and conscientious citizens must resist this rising
tide of hate by actively working towards a more tolerant world.