Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
The brutal murder of Deah Barakat, 23, his wife Yusra Abu Salha, 21, and her sister Razan Abu Salha at Chapel Hill was not the first attack on Muslims in US and the West in general. Muslims have been victims of hate crimes and racism since the September 11 incident in New York, and the attacks soared after the Charlie Hebdo shooting. Incidents of Islamophobia have increased 70 percent in France this year, compared to 2014.
Islamophobia manifests itself in newspapers and other media outlets, and takes the form of killings, slaughters and massacres. The ranks of Islamophobes are swelling every day and are joined by political, social, cultural and educational institutions in the West, including government and private organizations. Schools and public institutions have forbidden girls from wearing hijab and extended the rule to mothers accompanying their children to schools, and students are made to eat non-halal meat.
Adherence to a specific religion can prevent you from attaining citizenship. Religion has become a source of intimidation and violence.
Islamophobia prevalent today is similar to the negative ideas held about Islam and Muslims in 1910 in academic and media circles.
But how can we counter these negative perceptions and their consequences? First of all, we need to remind the West about their double standards.
For this reason, we need to support the solidarity walk being organized by Qatar Foundation today to protest the Chapel Hill massacres. The perpetrators of the attack should be brought to justice.
The West should not only deal firmly with this crime but also make legislations to address Islamophobia and the spate of racist and hate crimes against Muslims, like it has done in the case of anti-Semitism for Jews and to prevent racism against African-Americans.
This is important for the protection of religious rights and cultures and to build a society free from discrimination based on religion, race and ethnicity.
The Peninsula
