LETTERS: Is it a trend to hate Islam and Muslims? Unfortunately for Muslims, it is.
Ever since the 9/11 attacks, Muslims have been subject to obnoxious treatment and assaults.
Some went to the extent of killing, while others were more cunning, implementing a softer approach in projecting their hate and prejudice on Islam and Muslims.
You do not need a gun to project Islamophobia. Just ensure that the image of the religion and its adherents is tarnished and obscured to a point of no return.
One can also derive policies in public or private capacities that discriminate against Muslims and their faith.
You can tell the younger generation that Muslims are dangerous and potential terrorists, just like how they see Muslims being negatively portrayed in the media.
So, my dear Malaysians, these may be things that we do daily, consciously or unconsciously.
This is the trend. To hate Islam and to discriminate against Muslims is a manifestation of generational baggage that has been passed down from one generation to another.
Look at the ruckus stirred up on social media when Qatar banned the sale of alcohol at the World Cup in 2022.
As much as Islam teaches husnuzhon (to think good of others), I am sure that this "inconvenience" would have affected people's perception of Islam and Muslims.
However, this trend will end, eventually. One day, we will wake up to a world where people can live in a cosmopolitan society in the best possible way.
When that day comes, it means that Muslims and non-Muslims have embraced the famous line from the Prophet's last sermon: "All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white except by piety and good action."
Hopefully, we can equip ourselves and future generations with not only knowledge, but also values and manners that will put an end to such hate. No one wins by hating others.
AMIRUL NAZMI AZRYMI
Matriculation teacher,
Centre for Foundation Studies,
International Islamic University Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times