Irrational fear of Islam.
By Jim stewart
@saulgoodman (2643)
Dundee, Scotland
September 25, 2016 7:25pm CST
I am 55 years old now and must admit I have a few difficulties in understanding how certain newspapers and other sources of media have managed to create the level of Islamaphobia they have manipulated here in the United Kingdom.
I say this because having worked alongside Muslims and lived alongside Muslims I have never met a Muslim who would have done me or anyone I know any harm at all.
The vast majority ( 99.9 % ) of Muslims want the same as I want. Want the same as my family want. Want the same as we all want. To live in peace and get on in life.
Ignorance often causes fear - of that there is no doubt so surely it's better to learn than fear.
Integration is the key and the more we all integrate the sooner we will all see the truth.
So what if some aspects of being a Muslim are different than our traditionally Christian ways.
Doesn't mean we should fear them.
What brought this post on I hear you ask.
Well tonight I heard a mum tell her perhaps 10 year old daughter that the Muslim lady at the front of the line at the kiosk in the supermarket could be a suicide bomber!!!!
This was in response to the child asking why her face was covered.
Ignorance. I rest my case.
4 people like this
5 responses
@ms1864 (6886)
• Bangalore, India
26 Sep 16
I couldn't agree more. I have also lived a majority of my life in a Muslim country...and i never felt safer. Having many Muslim friends since childhood i can definitely say i understand their culture and it is just as respectful to human life as any other .
It is such mind numbing ignorance that causes half the problem. So what if she chooses to cover her face? Have these ignorant women seen how much Muslim men respect their women? I have seen how Arab men keep their women...they are like queens.
2 people like this
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
26 Sep 16
I think getting to know a woman because of her personality etc and not simply because she has a pretty face is a good idea.
I have a friend who married and he hadn't seen his wife's face in the year and a half he knew her. He fell in love with her personality and her intellect.
When she unveiled he thought she was the most beautiful woman alive. They had taken the time to get to know each other.
She is very beautiful. I was honoured to be invited to the wedding.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
26 Sep 16
if the mother's reason for saying that is to stop the child from asking any more questions (similar to 'because i said so'), it's was the wrong answer. unfair and irresponsible.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
26 Sep 16
@saulgoodman did the muslim woman hear it and react?
1 person likes this
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
26 Sep 16
@hereandthere
Yes she heard it. The whole shop heard it. The Muslim lady remained very dignified and ignored it.
2 people like this
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
26 Sep 16
Hello.
Well I think the mother said what she said because of the ignorant stereotyping which goes on here all the time.
I believe the mother believed what she said.
As I said - ignorance.
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
26 Sep 16
I think most right minded people would. But sadly the ignorance I mentioned is a powerful foe.
1 person likes this
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
26 Sep 16
@Gillygirl
Omg just looked at the time.
Dare say we,'ll meet again and I think I know where and when but probably not a sunny day.
Scotland only has 3 days sun every year
By order of the EU!!
@Bluedoll (16774)
• Canada
27 Sep 16
I agree stereotyping and ignorance can be put aside with a little education. Many people including myself don't understand Islam and it isn't always about extremists that use violence.
Having said that I do have my concerns. It is not fear I think more of a rationalization. In the political forum Islam does play an important part. With enough representation is it possible that democratic systems could change to be more Islamic in nature?
1 person likes this
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
27 Sep 16
We have a few Muslim members of Parliament in the United Kingdom voted in by Muslim people and people of other faiths also.
I think most people have a right to question whether Sharia law will ever have a place in our legislature and here in the UK it won't.
Don't know about Canada.
I see it like this.
Muslim people and Christian people and people of others faith all have the right of representation.
In communities where the Muslim population is high it's understanable that they might feel that will be better represented by a Muslim Mp or councillor
The number of non Muslims voting for Muslim candidates in elections is growing. A SIGN PERHAPS that we are starting to realise that sometimes the person who will best represent us doesn't have to be the same faith or race.
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
27 Sep 16
Totally agree. It's pretty shameful and ignorant to condemn an entire religion. Nobody would think to condemn all Christians because there are a few total nutters going around telling the world that God hates homosexuals and spouting off all kinds of venom.
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
27 Sep 16
@saulgoodman It won't be long before we get the usual bigots on social media moaning about the fact they can't put up Christmas trees anymore because they offend Muslims or that they have to say 'happy holidays' instead of 'happy Christmas.' I'm sure there is absolutely no truth in these claims. My daughter went to college in Huddersfield where the majority of students were Muslims, but they still had a Christmas tree. But some people believe every bit of nonsense they get from Britain First and plaster it all over Facebook. In their view, Muslims are taking over the world.
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
27 Sep 16
Opinons are usually formed at a quite early age by what we hear and see at home and in school and by peer pressure and later on by what we ingest from our ever so non bias media.
It is shameful to condemn a whole religion.
It is ignorant. Of that there is no doubt.
I think when I'm the Army I was more scared of people who professed to be one type of Christian or other than by any other faith.
God I believe loves everyone without question. That's what the bible I remember said.
