Do you wonder if Islamophobia might be in the same category of polarizing and perceived-to-be over-hyped terms like “systemic racism,” “social justice,” and “women’s rights?” One way to find out would be to try to listen to people who may have experienced it. Another would be to show up to your family Easter gathering wearing a BLM shirt and say, “I’m wearing this for Black Muslims.” (I’m not suggesting this, of course. Just dreaming a bit!)
What is Islamophobia? According to the Bridge Initiative, a multi-year research project on Islamophobia housed in Georgetown University, it is “an extreme fear of and hostility toward Islam and Muslims which often leads to hate speech, hate crimes, as well as social and political discrimination.”
Read this poignant account from the Bridge associate director, Mobashra Tazamal, regarding an anti-Muslim speaker invited to Georgetown to get a feel for what it’s like on the receiving end. Take a dive into Tazamal’s Twitter feed for current examples of Islamophobia around the world. (On second thought, if you’re hoping for a fun weekend, skip her Twitter.)
The UN has declared March 15th (that’s next Wednesday) to be International Day To Combat Islamophobia. This falls on March 15Thanks to commemorate the Christchurch massacre of 2019 that killed 51 people.
What can we do to observe this event?
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any Islamophobia in our hearts and promptly repent of it.
- Watch the UN talk on Saturday, March 10th at 10am Eastern time.
- Buy a Muslim a cup of coffee and a donut. Or simply reach out on Facebook and say hi.
Muslim Connect exists to help me, you and others get past our Islamophobia and invite Muslims to consider the loving claims of Jesus. Thank you for reading and share this.
Two special requests:
- Please take a gander at a brand new website I’m helping some buds launch. It’s in beta now, so you get a chance to find typos and be among the first to try the cool stuff there. It’s all aimed toward getting the first workers among the remaining unengaged peoples.
- Please check out the latest video on the Muslim Connect YouTube channel. If you’re feeling tribal, go ahead and subscribe!