Here are some of the things that might account for negativity towards Muslims and/or Islam in general, justified or not (and of course mostly it isn't):
An Ipsos Mori survey has revealed that British people think that there are twice as many immigrants in the country than is really the case – and four times as many Muslims.
So ignorance accounts for much - seeing larger numbers of Muslims in the population than there are (at least, in the UK).
Some factors that might influence any negativity towards Muslims - the rise of ISIS in recent years and their demise; the Twin Towers attack (and reaction from some Muslims); Israel, and the continuous rocket attacks from Hezbollah; the number of Muslims wanting Sharia law, here in the UK and possibly elsewhere; sexual abuse of children by groups of Asians, here in the UK; every terrorist action against non-Muslims (Charlie Hebdo, for example); blasphemy and/or apostasy laws in many countries (being quite severe) - they all tend to contribute towards having a negative image of Islam and how it seemingly doesn't fit in with Western ways of thinking or behaving.
Muslims 'oppose cartoons reprisals'
Some 35% said they felt most British people did not trust Muslims, and a fifth said they thought Western liberal society could never be compatible with Islam.
20% is rather a large amount if that means they might fail to integrate into society - rather than having expectations of changing such - which might understandably upset any existing population who might not want this. And it hardly helps living in a country where one has to suspect the motives of some living there, as to their allegiance, that is.
The right to deny the existence of God is under threat
Atheists and humanists are increasingly being targeted as distinct minorities in “hate campaigns” across the globe, according to a new report which found that religious and political leaders are ratcheting up rhetoric against those who believe there is no God. The report claims that the “hate speech” against atheists does not come exclusively from reactionary or radical religious leaders, but increasingly from political leaders, including heads of state. The Freedom of Thought report, published by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), states: “In 2014, in addition to laws such as those targeting ‘apostasy’ and ‘blasphemy’, we have seen a marked increase in specific targeting of ‘atheists’ and ‘humanism’ as such, using these terms in a broadly correct way (the users know what they are saying) but with intent clearly borne of ignorance or intolerance toward these groups.” The report singles out Najib Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, who has called “humanism and secularism as well as liberalism” a “deviant” threat to Islam and the state. In a speech to the Quran Recital Assembly Razak said: “We will not tolerate any demands or right to apostasy by Muslims.” Saudi Arabia is criticised for a new law equating “atheism” with “terrorism”. The very first article of the kingdom’s new terror regulations banned: “Calling for atheist thought in any form, or calling into question the fundamentals of the Islamic religion”. Secular critics of Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the general who toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, have found themselves targeted, through what the report calls “an organized backlash against young atheists”.
Islam - a tolerant religion - as long as one isn't an atheist (in some countries)?
Muslims 'dehumanised' says Qatar royal
"A Muslim is first and foremost identified as a Muslim, rather than simply a human being. Whether they are Pakistani, Malaysian, Senegalese, or even British born, their multiple identities are levelled under a constructed monolith of Islam," she said. This collective identity was seen as something "fearful and unknowable", said Sheikha Moza, mother of the current emir of Qatar and wife of the previous ruler.
Possibly because most Muslims would identify as firstly being a Muslim above all else, whilst many of us would identify as being human first?
Paris terror attacks: We Muslims must hunt down these monsters who make a mockery of our religion
My dear Muslim brothers and sisters, it is time to make our voices heard: we must rise up massively and tell the barbarians who ordered, executed or condoned the acts of mass murder just committed in Paris that from now on we will take the lead in fighting and hunting them down, not just beside, but ahead of, our Christian, Jewish, or agnostic brothers and sisters. We must do so because Muslims are the extremists’ first victims and because we have mustered the courage to take our responsibilities and launch a massive, global movement for Islamic reform. If we do not, we must accept that these monsters represent Islam (and us) in the face of the entire world. With obvious consequences in many an forthcoming European election. The choice is ours.
Negativity towards a group as a whole is usually never factually based, but one might understand why Islam and Muslims are so often perceived in certain ways. In the past, much the same has happened to other religious beliefs, and currently it is Islam in the spotlight.
Comments?
An Ipsos Mori survey has revealed that British people think that there are twice as many immigrants in the country than is really the case – and four times as many Muslims.
So ignorance accounts for much - seeing larger numbers of Muslims in the population than there are (at least, in the UK).
Some factors that might influence any negativity towards Muslims - the rise of ISIS in recent years and their demise; the Twin Towers attack (and reaction from some Muslims); Israel, and the continuous rocket attacks from Hezbollah; the number of Muslims wanting Sharia law, here in the UK and possibly elsewhere; sexual abuse of children by groups of Asians, here in the UK; every terrorist action against non-Muslims (Charlie Hebdo, for example); blasphemy and/or apostasy laws in many countries (being quite severe) - they all tend to contribute towards having a negative image of Islam and how it seemingly doesn't fit in with Western ways of thinking or behaving.
Muslims 'oppose cartoons reprisals'
Some 35% said they felt most British people did not trust Muslims, and a fifth said they thought Western liberal society could never be compatible with Islam.
20% is rather a large amount if that means they might fail to integrate into society - rather than having expectations of changing such - which might understandably upset any existing population who might not want this. And it hardly helps living in a country where one has to suspect the motives of some living there, as to their allegiance, that is.
The right to deny the existence of God is under threat
Atheists and humanists are increasingly being targeted as distinct minorities in “hate campaigns” across the globe, according to a new report which found that religious and political leaders are ratcheting up rhetoric against those who believe there is no God. The report claims that the “hate speech” against atheists does not come exclusively from reactionary or radical religious leaders, but increasingly from political leaders, including heads of state. The Freedom of Thought report, published by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), states: “In 2014, in addition to laws such as those targeting ‘apostasy’ and ‘blasphemy’, we have seen a marked increase in specific targeting of ‘atheists’ and ‘humanism’ as such, using these terms in a broadly correct way (the users know what they are saying) but with intent clearly borne of ignorance or intolerance toward these groups.” The report singles out Najib Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, who has called “humanism and secularism as well as liberalism” a “deviant” threat to Islam and the state. In a speech to the Quran Recital Assembly Razak said: “We will not tolerate any demands or right to apostasy by Muslims.” Saudi Arabia is criticised for a new law equating “atheism” with “terrorism”. The very first article of the kingdom’s new terror regulations banned: “Calling for atheist thought in any form, or calling into question the fundamentals of the Islamic religion”. Secular critics of Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the general who toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, have found themselves targeted, through what the report calls “an organized backlash against young atheists”.
Islam - a tolerant religion - as long as one isn't an atheist (in some countries)?
Muslims 'dehumanised' says Qatar royal
"A Muslim is first and foremost identified as a Muslim, rather than simply a human being. Whether they are Pakistani, Malaysian, Senegalese, or even British born, their multiple identities are levelled under a constructed monolith of Islam," she said. This collective identity was seen as something "fearful and unknowable", said Sheikha Moza, mother of the current emir of Qatar and wife of the previous ruler.
Possibly because most Muslims would identify as firstly being a Muslim above all else, whilst many of us would identify as being human first?
Paris terror attacks: We Muslims must hunt down these monsters who make a mockery of our religion
My dear Muslim brothers and sisters, it is time to make our voices heard: we must rise up massively and tell the barbarians who ordered, executed or condoned the acts of mass murder just committed in Paris that from now on we will take the lead in fighting and hunting them down, not just beside, but ahead of, our Christian, Jewish, or agnostic brothers and sisters. We must do so because Muslims are the extremists’ first victims and because we have mustered the courage to take our responsibilities and launch a massive, global movement for Islamic reform. If we do not, we must accept that these monsters represent Islam (and us) in the face of the entire world. With obvious consequences in many an forthcoming European election. The choice is ours.
Negativity towards a group as a whole is usually never factually based, but one might understand why Islam and Muslims are so often perceived in certain ways. In the past, much the same has happened to other religious beliefs, and currently it is Islam in the spotlight.
Comments?
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