ISLAMAPHOBIA IS NOT A THING

Asalamualaykum warahmatullah,

As I sit in my room contemplating social media and its influence, be it articles written by aspiring journalists, or news headlines creating awareness, there is always two sides to that particular story.

As a Muslim woman growing up in a largely white community, I cant complain. Yes there were certain difficulties, but I know some have it worse. 

Sitting in sociology class was interesting, as we were comfortable enough to share our opinions, which stayed between us, however, we cant have the comfort of sociology forever.

In a way it was interesting, leaving school, going to university, it was almost as though people were becoming more racist and judgemental, and hateful after we all begin our separate ways.  

One thing I have always questioned is why? Do people who have these very strong opinions know anyone who is completely different to themselves, be it colour, race, experience or even religion? 

Have they come into very close contact/ relationship with someone who, for example is a Muslim and who has hurt them directly? Have they even tried to make an effort with someone who is blatantly different?

I just remember a time when someone told me, 'racism no longer exists'. But I was like, 'How do you know? Who are you to make that statement?' 

I don't want to make assumptions that everyone doesn't know what its like to have hate on who they are and where they come from, but personally, from observations, its usually those who have nothing about that to be hated upon, who have the most spiteful opinions, and the ones who can casually state that racism no longer exists. 

This leads me to Islamaphobia.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and appreciate the non-muslims who are strong and independent and do not rely on social media to tell them how to think. 

We can all be easily fooled by anything when we lack information on that particular topic. 

Recently in the news was the story about a boy from America whose name was Ahmed, who built a clock. This very young lad had BUILT A CLOCK. What was the first reaction of the school? To create a bomb scare?! WHY .. WAS IT BECAUSE HIS NAME WAS AHMED?!

We are not free, we do not live in a free country, we are still restricted, but we can remain strong. 

One post that really resinated with me was this: 

All it takes is for us to dig deeper. 

'It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.'