The Myth of the Islamic Threat Nermien AlAli

The Myth of the Islamic Threat Nermien Al-Ali (BA: Islamic Jurisprudence & Political Science, LLB/LLM) ISLAMAPHOBIA Islamaphobia Myth 2 : “Jihad” Basic Tenets of Islam Myth 3: Islamic “Fundamentalism” Myths Myth 1 - Homogenous bloc 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 Myth 4: Islam & women 1

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Definition l A phenomenon reported & studied in EU(UK), US, AUST. , & Russia l A form of Xenophobia: phobic fear & hatred of what is ‘foreign’ or the ‘other’ because seen as a danger that threatens way of life Islamaphobia: phobic fear for person, family, community, society, way of life, country, civilization of some Islamic threat l Mildest form - indulgence in seeing Islam as deplorable & not worthy of attention l 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 2

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Features l Negative stereotypes about Islam as the next threat to western civilization after communism: “the enemy within” - “Islamic terrorists”, “A Holy War Heads Our Way” l Stereotypes of Muslims as barbaric, irrational, fanatic, supportive of terrorism, oppressive of women - simply: Anti. American l Works on deeply embedded cultural biases that rationalize & spread prejudices & stereotypes - “only natural” 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 3

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Consequences Prejudice Defamation Profiling Discrimnation Breach of Stereotyping Slander Attack by Media Alienation Civil liberties Hate Crimes: Verbal & Physical Abuse Vandalism & Arson of Mosques & shops Murder 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 4

Category April 19, 1995 September 11, 2001 Violence 13 303 Threat 56 72 Hate messages/Harassment 149 687 False arrest/ Intimidation by authorities 4 224 Airport profiling - 191 Workplace discrimination - 166 School discrimination - 74 222 1, 717 Total 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 Source: www. CAIR-net. org ISLAMAPHOBIA: Consequences 5

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Consequences Year 1995/1996/1997/1998 Number of Discrimination Complaints 80 240 284 1998/1999/2000/2001/2002 285 322 366 525 Source: www. CAIR-net. org 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 6

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Origins Based on deeply embedded cultural biases l Crusades & Inquisition - 11 -16 th: 5 Centuries of Holy War against infidels & heretics (Catholic Encyclopedia www. newadvent. org. cathen) l Renaissance 17 -18 th: Voltaire: excluded Muslims from the right to tolerance in his essay (Springboard) l Colonial times - up to 1960 s- Orientalists portrayed Arabs & Muslims as barbarian & primitive to justify colonial conquests (Said) 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 7

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Feeds on Myths Myth 1: Islam is a monolithic bloc - will spur in an act of ‘Holy War’ by a ‘fatwa’ of some bearded leader Myth 2: Islam preaches violence against non-Muslims as infidels in the name of ‘Jihad’ Myth 3: Terrorism is Islamic - a religious duty of the fundamentalists. You never know when your Muslim friend will turn more fundamental! Myth 4: Islam is oppressive of women 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 8

BASIC TENETS: General Islam means: Peace & Self-surrender to the Will of God l A universal message - confirms preceding Divine revelations. Prophet Mohamed is God’s messenger sent to complete & compliment previous revelations: l l Abrahamic religion: “… it is the belief of your father Abraham. It is He (God) Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation)” 22: 78 l 6 pillars of faith and 5 pillars of religion 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 9

BASIC TENETS: Pillars of Faith 6 Pillars of faith: To believe in l God l His angels l His Messengers (prophets) l His Books (Scriptures) l Day of Judgement l Fate & Destiny - good & bad 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 10

BASIC TENETS: Pillars of Islam 5 Pillars of Practice l Testify (declare) that no gods but God and that Mohamed is His Messenger l Pray 5 times a day (Ritual - ablution) l Fast the month of Ramadan (lunar calendar) l Pay alms (2. 5% of annual savings) l Pilgrimage to Mecca (Rituals traced to Abraham & Hajar) 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 11

BASIC TENETS: Pillars of Islam PRAYER: Ruk’a 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 12

BASIC TENETS: Pillars of Islam 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 13

BASIC TENETS: Pillars of Islam 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 14

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Feeds on Myths Myth 1: Islam is a monolithic bloc - will spur in an act of ‘Holy War’ by a ‘fatwa’ of some bearded leader 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 15

Myth 1 - Islam is a monolithic bloc l Around 1. 4 Billion Muslims in the world - Only 18% are Arabs l Largest Muslim population in Indonesia 201 M. 55 M Russia, 100 M India, 24 in EU, 7 -10 US (2 nd largest religion) l Muslims comprise 4000 ethnic groups in 128 countries l So-called Islamic nations are members of Islamic league l Muslims follow no single religious authority – no priesthood 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 16

http: //islamicweb. com/begin/population. htm Myth 1 - Islam is a monolithic bloc 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 17

Myth 1 - Islam is a monolithic bloc: America 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 18

Myth 1 -. . Can be mobilized by a ‘fat l Fatwa is a non-binding juristic opinion usually passed by Muslim sch l Sources of Islamic law/jurisprudence: 1. Quran: Actual words of God revealed to Prophet 2. Hadith: Prophet teachings - authenticity 7000 of 600, 000 3. Reasoning by Analogy (drugs) 4. Consensus 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 19

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Feeds on Myths Myth 2: Islam preaches violence against non-Muslims as infidels in the name of ‘Jihad’ 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 20

Myth 2: Islam condones violence agai aga Aggression is a vice in Islam The Prophet defined the Muslim as one causing no verbal or physical l Islam’s greeting to everyone is “peace be upon you” l Murder of one person or causing devastation of any form is equated w l l “Jihad”: Striving to do good for the sake of God - A broad concept l Coming from a battle the Prophet said to the Muslims: “You came from th 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 21

Myth 2: Islam condones violence agai aga Even in cases of war l l l 10/28/2021 General: “Don’t fight those who don’t declare war on you for your “Fight for the sake of God (ie not for economic or political gain) th If the other side want peace then make peace 4: 90, 8: 61 If a member of the other side seeks asylum award it & ensure saf Forbidden to kill the elderly, women, children, animals or to cut a (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 22

Myth 2: Islam condones violence agai aga Religious Tolerance most fundamental to Islam l “No compulsion in religion, Truth stands out clear from Wrong” 2: 25 l l Christians & Jews called “People of the Scriptures” - under an Islam The Prophet’s Charter to the Monks of Sinai l Christians & Jews never persecuted for their beliefs in Islamic empir 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 23

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Feeds on Myths Myth 3: Terrorism is Islamic - a religious duty of the fundamentalists. You never know when your Muslim friend will turn more fundamental! 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 24

Myth 3: Terrorism is Islamic - a fundamentalist duty l “Fundamentalist” is meaningless - Used to denote Muslims that believe in Islam fundamentals support terrorism l Originally used to describe Protestants & other Christian groups adopting literal interpretation of the Bible l Terrorism : Defined as “devastation on land” “killing people & destroying crops”. Recognized as most heinous crime l Punishment for terrorism: execution, crucifixion or exile 5: 33. Trial first. 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 25

Myth 3: Terrorism is Islamic - a fundamentalist duty l “Islamic terrorism” is an oxymoron l Terrorism as a phenomena - Hitler is of the Christian faith as Saddam is of Muslim faith Terrorists justify their acts by citing authoritative sources: religion, the Constitution l Church of the World Creator (rejoiced 9/11) l Christian Identity Movement (many terrorist acts in 1996 but FBI cant identify them as such) l www. religiousintolerance. org/cr_ident. htm 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 26

ISLAMAPHOBIA: Feeds on Myths Myth 4: Islam is oppressive of women ‘Role captivity’ ‘HAREM’ NO SELFDETERMINATION ‘Chadour’ 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 27

Myth 4: Islam is oppressive of women LEADERS Professional Working Women 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 28

Myth 4: Islam is oppressive of women General l Equality - “We created you from one self” l Taking care of home & children not obligatory. Housework is work - wages - 1991 law l Can divorce her husband if not like him l “If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal fairly (with them), then only one” 4: 3 “you cant be fair. . ” 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 29

Myth 4: Islam is oppressive of women Economic rights l l Seek education/knowledge is duty of every Muslim Right to own & inherit property Right to contract Financial independence - “To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn” 4: 32 Political rights Political Rights l Prophet confirmed as leader by men & women separately - mentioned in Quran 60: 2 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 30

Myth 4: Islam is oppressive of women Islamic dress · A voluntary good deed - difference of opinion - part of the good deeds that women may take in their religious/spiritual devotion · Mentioned once in 24: 31– basic principle is that of purity – emphasis first on lowering one’s gaze · Emphasis not on appearance but mainly on piety & conduct – 7: 26. · No coercion or compulsion as to Islamic dress 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 31

Myth 4: Islam is oppressive of women Panazir Bhutto Pakistan 88 -90 & 93 -5 Tansu Ciller - Turkey 93 -5 Megawati Sukamaputri Indonesia Khaleda Zia Bangladesh 91 -6 Hasina Wajed Bangladesh 96+ 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 32

References Quran online: www. islamicity. com/mosque/quran l Index: www. islamicity. com/mosque/TOPICI. htm l Council on American Islamic Relations: www. Cair-net. org l l www. themodernreligion. com/terrorism_compare. html Tolerance: http: //salam. muslimsonline. com/~azahoor/toleran 1. html l Women in Islam - www. mwlusa. org Books l Patricia Springborg (of Sydney University), Western Republicanism and the Oriental Prince, Polity Press, 1992 l Edward Said, Orientalism: Westerners Conceptions of the Orient; 1978, Routledge & Kegan l 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 33

THANK YOU 10/28/2021 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 34