Committee: UNESCO
Question Of: Measures to Overcome Islamophobia
Name: Mansi Nilesh Thakkar
Position: Head Chair
Introduction
Islamophobia can be defined as prejudice or discrimination against
people who follow the religion of Islam. Similar to anti-Semitism or
homophobia, Islamophobia is just another member of the series of
bigotry. Many Muslims have been receiving unjustified and hostile
treatment simply due to their religious beliefs, especially in
European nations. Post 9/11 attacks, it is not a new phenomenon to
see mistreatment towards Muslims in Western countries. Such
treatment towards Muslim people is a violation of one’s basic human
right and may perhaps be a threat to cohesion within societies.
Definition of Key Terms
Islamophobia: A term that translates to the fear of the religion of Muslim. To
be hostile and discriminate specifically against those who practice the religion
of Islam.
Islamophobia Watch: A non-profit making project that was initiated in 2005 to
highlight and document the fear of and hatred towards Muslims.
OIC: Organization of Islamic Cooperation. An organization that is the
collective voice of the Islamic community throughout the world that comes
together to ensure the interests of the Muslim world are intact.
General Overview
Due to a few terrorist activities carried out by those from nations that
predominantly follow the religion of Islam, discrimination and hatred towards
Muslim people has become more frequent and Intense. Bringing light to
European countries, a very small proportion of populations are Muslim and
therefore they are often considered as outsiders. Such acts of terrorism have
sparked a chain reaction, leading to Muslims being portrayed in a negative
way in the media. As a result, those residing in Europe who are Muslims
experience severe racism in the form of less job opportunities and general
discrimination.
Muslims Residing in France
As of April 2011, covering one’s face with a veil or hijab or other masks in
public became illegal in France. It is important to understand that this act was
not established as a direct act of racism, but the law still applies to both
Muslim and non-Muslim citizens.
In the same month, 61 people were arrested in Paris for holding an
unauthorized protest rally to voice their opposition towards the impending law.
The government of France stated that wearing a burqa would cripple relations
between the community and cause conflict. Since establishing the law on the
11th of April, there was a major uproar amongst the Muslim community not
only in France, but all over Europe.
Muslims Residing in USA
Particularly after the events of 09/11/2001, a large proportion of Muslim people
residing within USA have been experiencing ill treatment and hostility within
their society. Many incidents of robbery, vandalism and violence against the
Muslim community have occurred in the United States.
In 2007, an Iranian American Muslim woman was brutally attacked (with a
hammer), stabbed, robbed and labelled as a terrorist. She was robbed of $2000
and the 2 weeks following the incident were filled with similar calls of hatred
towards her, telling her to “leave the country” and that “her kind were not
welcome”.
Timeline of Events
September 9th, 2001: On this day 14 years ago, approximately 20 al Qaeda
terrorists hijacked 4 US (commercial) planes and deliberately flew them of
course. Two of the hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center,
one into the Pentagon and another into a plain field. There were approximately
3,000 casualties, including those in the WTC, the flights and the Pentagon.
November 2nd, 2004: A Dutch filmmaker by the name of Theo Van Gogh
received numerous death threats following the release of a film that criticised
the rules and restrictions imposed on women under Islam. The film was based
on a Somali refugee who fled from her arranged marriage due to the abuse from
her husband and uncle. On the 2nd of November, he was killed.
Timeline of Events
July 7th, 2005: Four Islamist extremists detonated 3 bombs aboard the underground
trains across London. A while later on the same day, a 4th bomb was detonated on a
double-decker bus. As a result, there were 52 casualties and more than 700 were
injured. This was the UK’s worst terrorist attack since the suicide bombings of
1988.
December 15th-16th, 2014: On these days, a (Muslim) gunman held 10 customers
and 8 employees hostage at a popular Lindt chocolate cafe. The motive of the
gunman was that he was not satisfied with legal decisions that concerned him.
During and after the event, the community expressed its concern towards potential
violence towards Muslims in Australia, the hashtag #IllRideWithYou became viral
to show support towards Muslims living in Australia.
Possible Solutions
The first solution is in regards to education. Many people have been misinformed
about incidents due to the media and believe that all Muslim people are related to
terrorist activities. The basic concept that all Muslims are a threat to society needs
to be eradicated. This can be done through proper education and making people
understand truly what Islamophobia and how it is more similar to a form of racism
rather than a fear. The media plays a very important role in this solution. If mass
media was used to educate/inform society about the religion of Islam and its
peaceful practices, many would realize their misinterpretations of Muslims and may
even rethink the way they look at them.
Possible Solutions
A second possible solution is in regards to improving the situation in European
countries. Islamophobia is more common in Europe as opposed to other areas such
as the US or Australia or Asia. Due to islamophobia, many Muslim people are
denied work. This is why government regulations should be established and strictly
enforced to ensure that the Muslim community are provided with aid in regards to
their finance, housing and education. More job opportunities should open up and
companies should refrain from discriminating against people simply due to their
religion. Collaboration with pro-Islamic organizations is also favourable to ensure
good living standards for Muslims in Europe and so that they can once again have a
respectable image in society.
Bibliography
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Bibliography
"2014 Sydney Hostage Crisis." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 06 Aug. 2015.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Sydney_hostage_crisis#.23illridewithyou_hashtag>.