Lately, I admit I’ve been feeling depressed and considered taking a break from Steem... Not, because Steem is low or my posts have been getting little attention—-these reasons have not stopped me from staying here for over 2 years.
But, after considering launching an interview series, on @threespeak & doing my best to try to onboard folks on Steem — through Posh initiative/posting on Twitter, I’m losing heart.
The reason I’m despairing is because of the blatant fear of Islam and hatred of Muslims that is being tolerated and even rewarded on this platform. As a Muslim, of course, I’m personally wounded by this ugliness and expect more from a noble experiment such as this that I’m invested in.
But, also, as a serious journalist, I cannot in good faith spread the word of this being a professional or fair-minded space promoting free speech when I see the opposite taking place —- with bigots & even criminals (they know who they are) taking refuge, here. Frankly, it reflects poorly on our credibility as a platform that can be respected or trusted & hurts us all.
I’m tagging @theycallmedan on this post, since I believe that Dan is a champion of justice for underdogs and recently posted about this protest march in France, condemning Islamophobia
As it is, there’s far too much violence and suffering in our world because of misinformation and bigotry and it pains me to also be confronted by it here, in a platform that I thought had higher standards :/ Heaven give me strength and patience not to lose hope & give up...
I realize that we live in unexemplary times, maddened by fear, murderous ignorance, and mistrust of one another.
Even though Muslims make up around a fourth of the global population, or around two billion souls, for many, the faith has become besmirched with backwardness and violence.
Islamophobia is a widespread, too painful reality, and hate speech is not without its cost.
It is a proven fact that hate crimes against Muslims are on the rise, from bullying in the classroom to racial slurs, as well as more grave offenses, such as mosque burnings, even murders.
Which is to say, hate and violence (on either side) begin in minds and hearts before finding their way to our lips and, soon enough, translating into heinous actions against (oftentimes, dehumanized) Others.
As an immigrant, Muslim, and writer living in Trump’s alarming America, as well as a citizen of our increasingly polarized world, I will not deny that speaking out on behalf of Islam has become something of a burden and sweet responsibility.
I find that I must begin most conversations on this subject, including this one, by stating the obvious: “Terrorism has no religion and most victims of terrorism are moderate Muslims.”
It’s tiresome to be continually on the defensive, which does not always bring out the best in us or the most charitable, gentle responses.
A German Muslim scholar, when asked about the connection between terrorism and Islam, went on this rant:
“Who started the first world war? Not Muslims. Who killed 6 million Jews in the Holocaust? Not Muslims. Who killed about 20 million Aborigines in Australia? Not Muslims. Who sent the nuclear bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Not Muslims. Who killed more than 100 million Indians in North America? Not Muslims. Who killed more than 50 million Indians in South America? Not Muslims. Who took about 180 million African Muslims as slaves obliged them to leave Islam, 88% of whom died and were thrown overboard into the Atlantic Ocean? Not Muslims . . .”
Which is not to say that I believe, as a Muslim community, we are entirely off the hook either.
I agree with many theologians and scholars of Islam who call for profound self-examination and a better understanding of the faith, such as Hamza Yusuf’s formula for “a renovation of the abode of Islam . . . to make new again, repair, reinvigorate, refresh, revive our personal faith.”
It seems self-defeating and willful to deny that something is rotten within the Muslim community, and that we need serious housekeeping.
As I said, we must begin, of course, by declaring to ourselves and the world in no uncertain terms, Not in Our Name, This Violence.
There is a damning quote, by Canadian author Robertson Davies, that sums up how I feel about so-called “religious” fanatics in a handful of words: Fanaticism is overcompensation for doubt.
To distance ourselves from the blasphemous-murders-who-would-sabotage-faith, we need to embody the peace, love, forgiveness, and sacrifice we find in the spirituality that sustains us, and extend it to those who do not know any better.
For those who wish to throw out the luminous baby, Faith, with the sordid water of current events, it is wise to recall the timeless words of a religiously inspired proponent of nonviolence, the great Martin Luther King Jr.:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
I hope those with hate or doubt in their heart might read and share this, as well as the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, below:
Refrain from seeing and speaking of the vices of mankind, which you know are in yourself.
The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of self.
The exercise of religious duty will not atone for the fault of an abusive tongue.
Whoever hath been given gentleness, hath been given a good portion in this world and the next.
"Give me advice," said someone. Muhammad said, Be not angry."
Humility and courtesy are acts of piety.
The Faithful do not die; perhaps they become translated from this perishable world to the world of eternal existences.
Speak to men according to their mental capacities, for if you speak all things to all men, some cannot understand you, and so fall into errors.
Trust in God – but tie your camel first.
Verily your deeds will be brought back to you, as if you yourself were the creator of your own punishment.
If Judgement Day arrives as you are planting a tree, continue planting the tree.
Finally, if you wish to learn more about Islam and the Muslim community, I urge you to do your research and consult respected scholars, far more knowledgeable than myself, such as:
Dr Craig Considine or Karen Armstrong (both interfaith advocates & non Muslims).
Or Sheikh Hamza Yusuf & Reza Aslan (Muslims scholars and advocates of peace)
Please, don’t stand on the sidelines and think that does not concern you. If we learn anything from history, it is that ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’ as Martin Luther King Jr. powerfully said.
Also,Pastor Martin Niemöller reminds us how we are all connected and that if we do not speak up for others, no one will for us when we are persecuted:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Thank you, for your attention and I hope we can continue to be proud of Steem and the content we put out into the world.
There's never been 20 million Aboriginals in Australia...Ever. In 1788 it is estimated that there were around 750,000 in the entire continent. Now there is about 500,000 or so, about 2.5 % of the population.
That information about 20,000 million of them being killed is monumentally incorrect, as are some of those other figures too, but I'll not belabour the point.
So, I think that serves as a good indication that sometimes information is not quite right and that people blindly follow along with what they read somewhere, or were told, and why racism endures through the passing of, and belief in, false information.
The decision to stay or go is your own and it's not my place to try and persuade you either way. It's disappointing racism raises its head anywhere, but steem is no different a place than the greater world at large...So all of humanities good and bad traits are here also...
If you leave steem I wish you all the best in your endeavours...If you stay, well, the same, I wish you all the best.
Thank you, brother, for the time and care that went into your comment. I was not aware ... The same way I was not aware of the scope of the Armenian genocide (first time the word was used) or Hitler’s (justified, as it turns out) cynicism in saying that no one will remember it, before proceeding to commit his own...
Your point is well-taken about the distortions of history. And, of course, I understand that the virtual world reflects the real, hence the presence of the good the bad and the ugly, here.
But, we do not need a token murder or rapist or dictator to faithfully mirror all the the world’s atrocities, on Steemit ;) We can be more discerning in who we accept & recognize that some are not welcome elsewhere for good reason.
I think the mania to onboard people tends to favor quantity over quality; so those with a ‘following’ (even if unsavory) are, blindly, supported.
I’m afraid this does not reflect well on us, nor will it attract the people we want (masses, serious journalists, etc...) but I will spare you another rant.
After a day of sulking, I’m back to promoting Steem, today, in a news magazine.
Hope you enjoy the read and have a peaceful weekend 🙏🏼
https://steemit.com/promo-steem/@yahialababidi/i-m-promoting-the-steem-blockchain-in-a-news-magazine
It's good that you decided to stay around...Otherwise the very thing you find abhorrent gains momentum. Better to be the bigger man, say your piece and stand for the values you wish to uphold. ✅
I haven't SEEN islamophobia here, but maybe I don't hang in those circles. Unfortunately Steem is not a utopia and a reflection of the world at large. However, it also must be called out in RL too. Please don't leave. Like RL, you can't check out either... we need your intellugence, both academic and emotional! Resteemed in absolute support.
Thank you, for your support. I’ve pointed it out before, calling out offenders by name, such as @TommyRobinson & @BrianofLondon & the unsavory folks that they resteem.
It’s not a good look for us to give them a platform, when no one else will have them, and when the only value they add is sensationalism & danger 🤷🏻♂️
I’m aware of all the good @theycallmedan, for example is doing (such as helping Venezuelan community) and appeal to him as co-founder of @threespeak to consider this matter.
I am too afeard to look!
Thank you for this post
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Thank you, for reading. It’s my duty to speak up...
I only hope the powers-that-be, here, @stagerz @oracle-d will read it with an open heart and promote this post the way they are supporting those spreading Islamophobia that hurts and reflects poorly on all of us.
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