Why Is There So Much Negativity In The Media About Islam?!

For quite some time, Islamic faith and Muslims themselves, have been repeatedly portrayed in a negative light by the media. This has contributed not to people’s knowledge about Islam, but people’s ignorance intertwined with hatred for Islam and Muslims alike. As a young Muslim woman living in London, this is an offending subject, which needs to be addressed and solved to create consensus in society, and not conflict.

On September the 5th, there was a moral panic and anxiety in the air, after a man beheaded an elderly woman in Edmonton. The media decided yet again, they can use this incident to fuel people's ignorance towards Muslims and Islam. Regarding this, the front-page headline in The Sun newspaper read, 'Muslim Convert Beheads Woman In London'.

 Why on earth did they have to mention that he was a Muslim convert? Was this a strategic ploy to blame the religion of Islam for an individual's action? I don't see anyone including the fact that most paedophiles usually come from a devout Christian background? 

Often when terrorists are linked closely to the religion of Islam, and this is both wrong and unjust. Islam does not promote terrorism, but promotes peace and justice for all human beings. As quoted in the Qur’an, “…if any one killed a person, it would be as if he killed the whole of mankind; and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole of mankind…” - The Holy Quran (Chapter Five, Verse 32). In this way, it is exemplified how sacred human life is considered in Islam, and how immoral it is to kill people. So when describing terrorists who claim to be killing and committing suicide in the name of Allah, why are not people in the media institution doing research (like they should be doing) and implanting this quote from the Qur’an in to their report/articles?

Just like all religions, Islam have believers who will both intentionally and unintentionally misinterpret the teachings of Islam for their own benefit/s. Therefore, if one commits a bad deed, outsiders should certainly not blame the individual’s religion for their misconduct, but the individual themselves.

Ever since the 7/7 bombings in London, I have witnessed a shift in attitudes towards Muslim people. Non-Muslims are often hostile towards practising Muslims. This is often so, as Non-Muslims believe that Muslims may possibly pose a threat to them. The media further fuels this moral panic, by often labelling Muslims ‘radical’ or ‘extreme’ for simply following the beliefs of Islam and preaching about the religion to others. Why is the media not providing an alternative way of reporting, by focusing on the positive aspect of people holding on to religion so closely in a secular society?

Let me tell you about something personal that I had encountered earlier on this year. Me and my friend had travelled to The Old Bailey court to collect some money from friends nearby. It just so happened, that the day we decided to go there, the Lee Rigby case in relation to the Woolwich murders was commencing.

I remember seeing a group of white people stood outside the court, chanting ‘Justice for Lee Rigby’ , holding up banners and posters. While this was going on, I made the observation that a lot of press had arrived at the scene. There was cameras everywhere. As I enjoy being in front of the camera, I hurried along to where the camera man was along with my friend. A white woman, who was part of the group of Lee Rigby’s protestors, gave my friend a poster to hold up and encouraged my friend to participate in the chanting. I felt a little bit out of place, just standing there, google-eyed, so I joined in the chanting as well. As I did so, a white man remarked, ‘F*** you’. I was speechless for about two minutes, as I was in so much shock at the guys comment. Thereafter, I failed to hold my anger in, and I started saying, ‘Is it because of the brownness of my skin? Are you linking me to the Woolwich murderers? Just because I am brown it does not mean I am a terrorist!’. To this, the guy made absolutely no comment.

It was obvious to me that the man had some pre-assumptions about me, based on my appearance. Why did he feel the need to make that remark, was it because I was the only non-white person chanting ‘Justice for Lee Rigby’?

I really advise Non-Muslims and Muslims alike to do research into the religion of Islam, so we are clear of its teachings. May Allah guide those who have ill feelings towards Islam and Muslims. AllahummaAmeen.