There have been many terror related instances in which there term “Islam”, “Jihadis” or “Islamaphobia” have been conveyed. Many people, both Muslims and non Muslims have shown displeasure regarding the negative coverage of Muslims in the Media and most Muslims feel targeted for practicing their faith and having a different belief. However, many attacks have taken place in the name of religion. Nonetheless, you know as much as we do that we cannot lament a whole race, religion or nation because of a few rotten apples.
There are many people who get defensive in the name of religion as well and are quick to defend their stance, or play the “religion card” as per their convenience. “I'm being looked at because I'm Muslim” or “I'm being ignored because I am Muslim”. Nevertheless, do you think it is fair to condemn someone with violence because their views are different to yours? For example, the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris. A new poll reveals that one in four British Muslims sympathise with the attackers behind the Charlie Hebdo assassinations. The poll shows how a compelling majority of Muslims ratify or advocate terrorist barbarousness against those who who mock the Prophet Mohammed. There have been many reactions to the attacks which took place in Paris. 27% of British Muslims sympathised with the motives behind the attack, 32% were not surprised by these attacks, however, 11% believed that the magazine was at fault and were deserving of these attacks for publishing satirical images of Prophet Mohammed. On the other hand, there are high percentage of British Muslims who believe that British Laws should always be obeyed and how they show a high degree of loyalty to Britain.
Another interesting case is of Mohammed Emwazi, whom you and I famously know as “Jihadi John”. He has been in the spotlight for his barbaric actions, yet there are people defending him. Asim Qureshi, from the campaign group Cage was quite vocal in defending Emwazi and deemed him to be the victim in the whole situation. It was since Emwazi was questioned by the security services that he had to travel back to Syria and was left with no other option but to become a member of Islamic State, consequently beheading seven people. Who was at fault? Can Emwazi really be deemed as a victim, especially after killing those innocent people? There still are people who defend his actions and somewhat portray his “sob story” to make the general public show sympathy, if not empathy towards him.
As much as some people like to blame the media for negative portrayals of Islam and advocating Islamaphobia, what is even more worrisome and alarming is that there are a majority of people who support such terrorist attacks and advocate further events such as people who actually feel that death was the right answer for the people working in the Charlie Hebdo magazine.
