What does an ugly woman like Pamela Geller do to attract attention? Why, launch a crusade against Islam and Muslims. That is sure to attract attention, and notoriety. This is what Geller, the notorious Islamophobe has done but her hate messages have not gone unchallenged.
Islamophobes always invoke the “freedom of speech” argument to peddle their racist ideology. This nasty campaign has also been joined by opportunist Muslims that want to ingratiate themselves to the white master to advance their political career.
Muslims in the US seem to clutch any straws that would make them feel as if they are welcome in the US. The latest episode is the announcement by New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio that he would fulfill his campaign promise to recognize Muslim holidays in the public school calendar. The illegal surveillance of Muslims and infiltration of mosques by NYPD agents provocateurs, however, will continue.
For frequent flyers, going through airport security checkpoints has become a nightmare. The so-called screeners are more like sexual predators. They are rude, ill-trained and have an attitude of do not give a damn. Are such intrusive searches really necessary or they are part of an elaborate scheme to create paranoia to take even the few rights people have in the West?
Islamophobia is a disease. It started when the message of Islam was first proclaimed.
Recent reports indicate that the Pakistani government is in talks with US officials over the transfer of Dr Aafia Siddiqui to Pakistan to serve the remainder of her 86-year jail sentence there. Will this materialize or is it another of those false hope balloons?
Muslims are targeted for demonization because it fits into the US policy of having someone as an “enemy”. By keeping the American public fearful, corporate America can get away with its crimes.
In the wake of the Boston bombing, this tweet from a Libyan blogger captured the overall Muslim sentiment. The so-called leaders of the Muslim community in North America were quick to condemn the bombings. These same leaders, however, have never condemned America’s crimes against innocents in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen…
Ilham Aliyev’s oppressive tactics are raising the credibility and influence of the Islamic movement in Azerbaijan.
Muslims are being attacked everywhere. Even the non-violent, peace-loving Buddhists have got in on the act as the Muslims of Sri Lanka have found to their cost.
The war on terror has produced strange animals. One category is the ‘House Muslim’ who is expected to bark at fellow Muslims critical of western policies but never at the governments killing innocent Muslims.
Students are supposed to be vanguards of activism but in the oppressive climate created in the wake of 911, most Muslim students are keeping their heads low and their mouths closed in order not to arouse any attention. It is a real pity.
There is no shortage of people willing to serve foreign masters. Salina Khan looks at the theatrics of a self-styled Shaikhul Islam.
The US and its western allies, especially Britain, France and Germany have not only targeted Muslims accusing them of all kinds of wrongdoing without much evidence, even charities that are involved in helping the victims’ families are being targeted. The witch-hunt is on in earnest.
Canada’s Supreme Court led by its energetic Chief Justice Beverley MacLachlin has shown it will not bow to racists and bigots but stand up for the rights of all people.
Given the widespread environment of Islamophobia in the west, the ruling by Canada’s Supreme Court to allow niqab in courts while women testify is a landmark decision with far-reaching implications.
Muslims have been at the receiving end of western aggression long before the events of 911 that the west has used to justify its wars on Afghanistan, Iraq and other Muslim countries.
Fake historian distorts history to attack Islam in the most scandalous way and Britain’s channel 4 provides him air time. Islamophobia is now official policy in much of the western world.
Muslims need to develop greater sophistication in determining the validity of alternate media, especially outlets like Al Jazeera.
Islamophobia in the post-9/11 age seems to be such a deeply integral part of the US cultural landscape that one would have to be an archaeologist in order to unearth prior states of mind.
