Islamophobia, an Issue That Continues to Be Stirred Up

Paranoid Islam, or more commonly known as Islamophobia, is a controversial term applied to Islam. This term refers to prejudice and discrimination against religion (Islam) and Muslims. [1] Discussion and the rise of this discourse actually began in the 1980s.

However, it became more familiar and popular after the September 11, 2001 attacks that hit World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City and the Pentagon. Cases of Islamophobia are spreading to major countries in America, Europe, Africa, and even Asia.

In France, Muslims are prohibited from wearing the hijab. In parts of Africa, especially Central Africa, hundreds, even thousands of Muslims are being massacred in inhumane ways, burned and beheaded. God forbid. In China, Muslims are prohibited from praying and fasting during the month of Ramadan. In Japan, Muslims are prohibited from building places of worship (mosques). Even in our own country, Indonesia, paranoid Islamic movements are increasingly being promoted, especially in the Papua region.

If in 2001 George Walker Bush became the originator of the word "terrorist" which was accused of the al-Qaeda group, under that pretext he boldly bombarded Muslim countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and other Muslim countries, then recently from America there was also Donald Trump who again became the successor of Islamophobia in his country.

The recent incident in New York, America, namely the shooting of the Imam of the Al-Furqan Mosque, Maulana Akonjee, 55 years old, and Tharam Uddin, 64 years old, is the result of the Islamophobia campaigned by Donald Trump.

"Muslims have been under serious pressure since March, and during that time dozens of Muslims have been victims of murder and terror perpetrated by Islamophobic groups," Zaed Ramadhan's speech at the funeral of Maulana Akonjee.

As chairman (Council on American-Islamic Relations) CAIR Zaed Ramadhan reiterated that the murders and terror carried out by Islamophobic groups were the result of Trump's campaign which was carried out in every corner of American cities."[2]

Shamsi Ali, an Indonesian-American Muslim figure, echoed this sentiment, stating that Donald Trump is ultimately responsible for the shooting of a New York mosque imam. According to Ali, Trump frequently uses anti-Islamic and racist rhetoric in his speeches.

"What I can confirm for now is that this violent incident is part of the anti-Islam political rhetoric launched by the Republican camp, particularly presidential candidate Donald Trump. This shooting is not the first, but it is the umpteenth. Not only against Muslims, but also against those perceived as white opposition."[3]

What is happening in the Islamic world today is a massive plot to undermine Islam in the eyes of the world. Orientalists are deliberately creating a plot (deception) to prevent the spread of Islam worldwide. After reviewing the facts surrounding Islamophobia in various parts of the world, especially the West, we can conclude that all of this is due to a mistaken perspective or worldview towards Islam and Muslims.

The doctrines launched by Orientalists against Islam pose a very serious threat to Muslims living in countries with Muslim minorities. However, there is an interesting fact about Islam in Western countries: its rapid growth. significant.

European nations have now become a breeding ground for Islam and Muslims. They are actually tired of freedom. What is happening in America and Europe is a chronic and very serious disease. Murder and rape are commonplace, driven by the principle of “freedom” which is based on the freedom to achieve happiness. Dramatically, however, they don't find and attain happiness with this symbol.

In this regard, the late Sheikh Ahmad Hussein Deedat, a South African expert in comparative religion, argued in a debate with Christian Dr. Anish Shorrosh that Islam is the solution for the people of America, Europe, and the West, whose lives are currently mired in darkness.

The problems facing Europeans today are quite disturbing, as they live under rules and laws created by their own hands. Gambling, murder, robbery, rape, and other atrocities have become commonplace in the Western world. Ahmad Deedad said: "Islam is the solution to your problem" [4] This confirms that Islam is a religion with universal rules and is not man-made or fabricated.

Conclusion

Paranoid Islam, or Islamophobia, is a plot (deception) perpetrated by Western orientalists who fail to see the growth and development in the West. If Islam develops and advances, the freedoms they have long cherished will be lost. When those freedoms are lost, they will be confined and shackled by regulations they themselves refuse to accept.

DR. Zakir Naik in his lecture in Malaysia with the title “Why is the west coming to Islam?” Then he continued "Because Islam has the solution to the problems of the West"

[1] Sandra Fredman, Discrimination and Human Rights, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-924603-3, p.121.

[2] Tempo Magazine, August 2016 Edition, p. 94

[3] Republika Sunday 14 August 2016

[4] Ahmad Deedad's debate with Dr. Anish Sorrosh