Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago · 3 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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Are You Islamophobic?

Are You Islamophobic?

*UPDATED WITH A TWEET FROM JOHN FUGELSANG*- Which can be seen below

This is a touchy topic for many but I feel the need to speak out. I feel the need to give my opinion and I'm not asking everyone to agree with me, I'm just asking that you think about this.  This is not a forum to discuss Islam and their practices in certain countries. This is about Islamaphobia.  I wrote this because I already hear the chatter from too many- making all Muslims their target instead of focusing on the terrorists who do act on behalf of Islam. 

ISIS is not following the Quran. ISIS uses religion as a ruse. They speak in the name of "Allah," and Islam, yet they are not doing the work of Allah AKA- God. 

ISIS is real, they are terrorists. Anyone that kills a person or a group of people for reasons other than defending themselves is a terrorist or a group of terrorists. I don't care if they are Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhists etc... killing for the sake of killing is terrorism, plain and simple. 

Jihad is not a Single Concept

According to National Geographic: 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/10/1023_031023_jihad.html


"It's a range of activities all based on the Arabic meaning of the word 'exerted effort.' In the Koran it's projected as exerting effort to change oneself, and also in certain situations physically standing against oppressors if that's the only way." 
The concept of jihad as a struggle for self-improvement is little known among non-believers. Yet Noha Aboulmagd-Forster, who teaches Arabic at the University of Chicago's Center for Middle Eastern Studies, stresses that it may be the most common interpretation of the term.
"Something widely quoted by the Muslim 'man on the street' is that the most difficult jihad is the one of the soul," she said. "The biggest trouble is not with your enemy but with yourself." 
I'm not going to try and pretend to understand Islam but I have many Muslim friends who've expressed the same to me when I've asked what Jihad means and they've all shared with me that it is an internal struggle in which they do work towards self-improvement as quoted above. 

Let me be clear, I am by NO MEANS defending the barbaric acts of terrorists who claim to kill on behalf of Islam. It's my understanding that only an Islamic Governed State can declare a War; A Jihad. 


Yet quoting the Koran to promote one's own agenda is a game played by extremists. "In the East extremists with their own agendas truncate verses that are talking about rules of engagement of a conflict, and take them out of context to justify their agendas, spread hate, and recruit resistance," Hathout said. 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/10/1023_031023_jihad.html

The extremists are master manipulators of the Quran and they are obviously master manipulators of others. How are they recruiting non-Muslims from Great Britain, the US and other Countries? They find vulnerable people who are either very hateful or mentally ill. Any text can be taken out of context for the sake of suiting one's own needs; ISIS and Al Qaeda are prime examples of the Quran being used to promote hate and killing rather than what the majority of our Muslim friends use it for, the same reason we read our bibles with the ultimate goal of knowing we tried our best on this earth and treated others with love in order to make it to the Pearly Gates of Heaven once we leave this world. Obviously, not everyone believes in God, but this is the basic premise of most religions. 

What is my true intent for writing this? 

I don't want to see our Muslim friends grouped into an extremist category because of a small group of extremists whose only goal is to murder others because they hate so much. There are over 1 billion Muslims so in contrast, the extremists are far, far from the majority. We need to stand behind our Muslim friends and speak out with them. So many have spoken out since 9/11 and it seems there's a certain populous in our country that find them to be either- liars, or inconsequential. I find this sad. It angers me when Politicians lie to the public and inflame their deepest fears- "That all Muslims are bad."  This has to stop! 

I'm extremely sad about the latest attack and angry. However, I am not angry at ALL MUSLIMS, I'm angry at the arseholes who pretend to be acting on behalf of Islam. I'm angry to think  because we have so many people who are Islamophobic- we could see an increase in hate crimes towards innocent people, Muslims. 

We have every right to be angry with Terrorists and I am!  But, does that mean we lump an entire group of people into a term the news and Politicians use all too often, Radical Muslims? Hate begets hate.  I shed tears every time I hear of another attack. I can only imagine the horror these innocent victims felt before they were gunned down and in other cases bombed. I will not ever become hateful like the extremists. I will always choose love and tolerance for those who deserve it [insert most of humanity] over hate. I hope more of us can do the same. 

Are You Islamophobic?

Tweet below- rights belong to- John Fugelsang and Dee Austin

Are You Islamophobic?






Be Proactive, not Reactive- Visit 

http://bridge.georgetown.edu/how-christians-jews-and-others-are-combating-islamophobia/

Find out how Christians, Jews and others (including Atheists) are combating Islamophobia

Are You Islamophobic?

"""
#Islam #Muslims #Jihad #Quran #ISIS
Comments

Lyon Brave

7 years ago #63

I love this. I'm half Muslim if religion is something your family passes on like DNA. They even named my sister Koran. She has been considering changing her name, but I think it's rather beautiful, though i understand why she would want to change it. She thinks it makes the job search harder, or awkward.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #62

#105
Thank YOU for your quick response Federico \u00c1lvarez San Mart\u00edn! Appreciate!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #61

#103
I have done that before too Lada Prkic and let him answer your question? Maybe that's something they are working on? Of course my comment below yours is in reply to the comment you just left now :)) I hope your day is a beautiful one!

Lada 🏡 Prkic

7 years ago #60

Dear Lisa Gallagher, when I was browsing the news feed on my mobile, I deleted my comment accidentally. The links for “See more” and “Remove” is so close one to another. beBee should add a safe question before removing a comment, as there is for “Report abuse”. I always save my comment drafts that it can be rewritten if necessary. Here's my comment again: “Lisa, there are topics on which people will never be able to agree, not because they wouldn't want to, but because they can't; because they survived a traumatic experience that is stronger than any logic. A generalisation of guilt on the entire nation is extremely dangerous and ultimately leads to discrimination. It is easiest to blame the nation so that the real culprits go unpunished. An example for this is the war in the former Yugoslavia. Although it ended more than 20 years ago, the generalisation in relations between two nations, the Serbs and the Croats, is still present among the people. Those who had lost their loved ones in the war, have transferred the guilt of individuals to the whole nation.”

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #59

#101
Well stated Lada Prkic. There are many topics which people will never agree upon. Our life experiences are unique to oneself and that is why we have differing views. I remember the Serbian-Croation war, it was tragic. People have to find someplace to transfer guilt I assume, in order to not hold onto it internally? Thank you for adding relevance to the topic!

Lada 🏡 Prkic

7 years ago #58

Lisa, there are topics on which people will never be able to agree, not because they wouldn't want to, but because they can't; because they have survived a traumatic experience that is stronger than any logic. A generalisation of guilt to an entire nation is extremely dangerous and ultimately leads to discrimination. It is easiest to blame the nation so that the real culprits go unpunished. An example for that is the war in the former Yugoslavia. Although it ended more than 20 years ago, the generalisation of relations between two nations, the Serbs and the Croats, is still present among the people. Many of those who had lost their loved ones in the war have transmitted the guilt for that to the whole nation.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #57

You nailed it in your comment below Margaret Aranda, MD, PhD, Muslims are 'damned if they do, and damned if they don't." I wonder if the time will ever come when we don't use labels, like 'those Muslims, blacks, whites etc.." We are all people, and I will never lose hope that one day even if it's after I'm long gone, humans remember we all inhabit planet earth and have the same basic needs. We all love, cry and more.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #56

#93
I never heard that one before Neal Rauhauser, but good one!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #55

Neal Rauhauser great point, "in the U.S. we make incredibly self destructive decisions on the basis of the notion of a 'clash of cultures.' Absolutely! It still boggles my brain when I think of the war Bush started in Iraq and we lost as you said 4,500 lives not to mention how many innocent people were killed in Iraq that had nothing to do with terrorism? Any rational person understands that Terrorists are spread out in many countries- you can't go to war with an invisible enemy, one who doesn't wear a uniform. How would people feel that live in the US if we had 8-10 terrorists who caused death and destruction in say China and China declared war on all of us for their actions? I hope your harassment stops now that your using beBee, I don't think that will be tolerated here either.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #54

#89
Thats a great quote and VERY fitting Franci Eugenia Hoffman!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #53

cc; Rebel Brown, not sure if you saw this but thought I'd tag you since we were both somewhat on the same page with our articles. Speaking about your post about Rage in the US.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #52

#84
Dale Masters, no but it sounds like I might want to watch it.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #51

Mucho gracias @Beatriz Lagares Hortas!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #50

#79
@dale masters, I have a friend who is a syndicated columnist and I know for a fact that this person is given stories and many don't make it past editing. Our paper is very selective. There has been a lot of things that have gone on behind the scenes that the public should be aware of and yet- it's kept hush & not allowed to be printed- this I also know for a fact. So, yes- our media is censored​!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #49

Brian McKenzie, I'm not sure but they are reporting his wife at some point "tried to talk him out of it." It's been reported she was with him when he bought ammo etc.. and the terrorist not only made a call to 9-11 but to another unknown (or at least not revealed yet) source.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #48

#76
Brian McKenzie, I saw the weapon and from what I understand, thats a tough weapon to disguise, but I did see footage showing it come in 'parts' Not sure how he got all the ammo and guns into the nightclub. This entire tragedy is utterly disturbing and beyond words.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #47

#74
That article has to do with different aspects of Islam within other countries Obama was referring to war. I made it clear I did not want this to become a forum to discuss Islam and their practices. I'm sorry you do not like President Obama and what I wrote in the comment section today was from a speech he gave today which related to my topic. As for other complaints about Islam, maybe you should write a post? Just a suggestion, And it is MY narrative, you have the right to take issue with it. I didn't give stats, I wrote my opinion, along with using factual quotes from Nat Geo. I read your article and I did my own research, along with listening to the interview with Fareed on CNN.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #46

Thanks for sharing it for me Franci Eugenia Hoffman!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #45

#71
@mark davis, you might want to read Brian McKenzie's comment and a few others who have spent time in 'that part of the world.' Did you read the entire article?? This post is my opinion and asking that people don't begin to target Muslims- I'm sorry if you take issue with that.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #44

Bill Stankiewicz can one of you share this to my new hive called "Writing Op-Ed Diversity" I tried and it said it posted but I don't see it? Thanks in advance!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #43

#68
Seriously @mark davis? Thats like asking non-gang members to confront gang members.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #42

#66
Thanks for commenting @Achraf Harras. It's sad that anyone should have to defend their religion!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #41

@Randy Keho, one last comment- excuse my typo's below. And, I want to add that I used to be addicted to the 24/7 news shows and it wasn't until I stopped watching and began to read more along with just watching real news (without the punditry) eg, I realized I was becoming part of the mindset I detested. Many American's are addicted to these news shows and it's evident because they have been repeating the talking points for years. It's good to read many articles, fact check and think for yourself without being influenced by the media if that makes sense? I am not bashing journalists or journalism- I have great respect for many.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #40

#63
@randy keho- I should clarify- by mainstream media I'm speaking of the 24/7 news cycles and YES they all produce 'eye-grabbing' headlines along with repeating propaganda constantly. I find it insulting. I appreciate facts and that's why I stick to my local news station or the nightly news which is void of pundits. Opinions are not facts. Facts become skewed. So, I can't compare my comment to lumping all Muslims together. You mentioned there are many people who are fed one view in the world- well I find that 'certain' news SHOWS do the same, the cater to their audience... yes it's political. End of this rant because I'd like to stay focused on my topic I wrote of.

Randy Keho

7 years ago #39

Come on! Generalized bashing of the American media is no different than lumping all Muslims into one large band of terrorists. You're doing exactly what you don't want others to do to you. As a former professional journalist with two degrees in communications, I can attest to the fact that the American media is not more interested in getting their name in lights than reporting the real news. Some outlets may not display the greatest integrity, but there are always a few bad apples in the bunch. Be thankful you have the opportunity to read and view differing accounts of the news. You have a choice. There are plenty of people in this world who are fed one view of the news and that's it. The news is also a business that needs to attract customers and eye-grabbing headlines are what gets you lemmings to at least read the news, which you are obviously doing or you'd have nothing to complain about. End of rant.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #38

Thank you for sharing this Jahanara Hoque :))\

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #37

#58
Exactly Franci Eugenia Hoffman, more propaganda means more addicted viewers which equates to higher ratings and money. People do need to research outside of the mainstream media and get to know others, talk about culture, and life in general. They might find we share more in common than they are aware :))

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #36

#57
Hi Deb Helfrich, great comment with much truth! You wrote, "But we can change the way we contribute going forward, because the antidote is for each of us to work at being more accepting of people.' So true and I thank you for your thoughtful comment!

Mark Blevins

7 years ago #35

Not that religious. I just shoot back

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #34

#55
Very unfortunate Franci Eugenia Hoffman when people are lumped into one category as you stated. I want to believe more people don't than do! I hate to mention the media again but it seems the only people that become extreme in their views that I know or have seen online over the years typing hateful things which make no sense are those who are fixated on the talking points the news repeats over and over.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #33

#53
great points @randy keho and I appreciate your comment!

Randy Keho

7 years ago #32

Religions are the face of many problems -- not the causes. Economics plays a much bigger part in societal discord. It's the haves vs. the have nots. Unfortunately, those disparities are oftentimes closely associated with religion. My mother, who was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and raised as a protestant, taught me that as a young child. She told me she had many Catholic friends in a neighborhood once ravaged by violence. Acts of terror were going on all around them, but, for the most part, they just went on about there business of living.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #31

#34
Nicole Chardenet, that's the problem, you are using labels. This is not a 'left or right' issue. It's a human issue. Quit politicizing this please. Take the politics out and try to look at Muslims as you view your white American family members and friends.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #30

John White, MBA thank you for your comments. I am happy to hear the nice comments of my friends and PROUD to be associated with you!! I have tears right now reading all your humane and non-biased comments!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #29

#35
@dale masters, what a great woman. Now, if American's could see people as people and not define them by their religion we would be much better off as human beings. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #28

#48
Dean Owen the lies about American Muslims and the 1 billion Muslims who are part of this world have angered me for many years. It's not getting any better- and Trump has re-fueled anger or fear in those who already were Islamaphobic- I can't stay quiet anymore. They are being persecuted and this is wrong on every level. I appreciate your nice comment and it's nice to see so many rational comments on this thread!

Dean Owen

7 years ago #27

Well said Lisa Gallagher! You rock and you are our rock!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #26

oops Brian McKenzie, I hit enter too fast. You lived your stories. You bring truths to those who are in denial or misinformed. I appreciate that you both have shared your stories and I truly hope others read them.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #25

James McElearney

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #24

thank you for adding truth to this conversation, I truly appreciate it!! I hope others read what you wrote as well.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #23

Pascal Derrien, in very few words you hit the nail on the head, thanks!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #22

#26
Hi @lisa baker, as President Obama said, the terrorists are thugs, plain and simple! Thanks for your comment :))

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #21

Thank you to all who left rational comments, you ALL ROCK as Bill Stankiewicz said below!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #20

As President Obama just said, (Paraphrasing) when we paint all muslims with a broad brush and imply that we are at war with an entire religion, then we are doing the terrorists work for them! These extremists have killed muslims and this rhetoric comes from many Republicans! He goes on to say, "Fueling the notion that the west is at war with an entire Religion, then we are doing the Terrorists work for them. By calling them Radical Islamics they want US to validate them. Labels has been mostly been Partisan Rhetoric and sadly we've all become accustomed to that kind of partisanship, even when it involves these extremist groups." "We are now seeing how dangerous this kind of thinking and mindset can be, where this can lead us.. we now have proposals from the presumptive GOP nominee of the Us to bar ALL Muslims from the USA, suggesting entire religious communities are complicit in this type of violence, where does this stop? The San Bernadino Killer, the Orlando Killer, the Ft. hood Killer, were all US citizens. Are we going to start treating all Muslim Americans differently, are we going to start discriminating from them because of their faith?" We already are!! I'm ashamed of any American that has this type of mindset. Please watch his speech, even if you don't care for him. KEEP AN OPEN MIND or you are part of the problem!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #19

#32
Thank you Paul \, your comment was filled with facts and I appreciate it!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #18

#28
Nicole Chardenet, Calling others bigots does not help to further a discussion that has been long over-due. I'm just going to call it like I see it Nicole, your comments are skewed. I'm not sure where you're getting your info but it's sadly one-sided. Nicole, Muslims died in the towers, we had Muslim firefighters and you have the nerve to say that even "good muslims' 'believe no jews died on 9/11?" I don't know where you are getting your info but two thoughts for you, 1. It has nothing to do with this topic and 2. Those are the types of mean-spirited, non-factual comments I used to see on facebook and twitter. Maybe you should stick to your audience there? No offense, but are you a scholar on interpreting the Quran? Many could say the same about the Christian bible's old testament- some do take it to that degree by bombing abortion clinics as one example of many. Or by stating people who are LGBT are sinners. Thats my 2 cents!

Dean Owen

7 years ago #17

#29
You got there before me Pascal. Little disappointed at Nicole's comments. As you say, bigots on both sides, but calling each other bigots for the next 2000 years is not going to help anyone. It starts with a dialogue.

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #16

Unconscious Bias is unfortunately universal we all have that in common......on any sides

Lisa Baker

7 years ago #15

Such a shame that people cannot attribute terrorism and violence to what it is. Just as every football fan is not a hate-filled hooligan, every muslim is NOT a terrorist. To think otherwise is shameful and narrow minded.

Bill Stankiewicz

7 years ago #14

Lisa Gallagher ROCKS! regards, Bill Stankiewicz

Mohammed Abdul Jawad

7 years ago #13

Lisa Gallagher Aha…in a mellowed manner you’ve sifted truth as truth and falsehood as falsehood, and took patience and pains in compiling this wondrous, enlightening explanation. May the Almighty Lord shower His favors upon you. It’s human wretchedness when we hate each other, and when we live in harmony, that’s the triumph of humanity.

John White, MBA

7 years ago #12

#11
Stading ovation from my living room, Lisa Gallagher! Brilliantly articulated piece.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #11

#12
Brian McKenzie is so great to hear real stories like yours versus the medias propaganda BS. A friend of mine lived in Iraq for a few years after the war and stayed with Muslim families. He said they treated him better than many of his American friends would do for strangers. Thank you for sharing, "whitey" ;-)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #10

#16
your welcome Amroussi Mohamed :)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #9

Thanks for sharing my post Dean Owen!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #8

Thanks for sharing my post Brian McKenzie!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #7

#11
Your comment put a smile on my face Dean Owen! The media keeps telling them to condemn these terrorists acts when they are not to blame. They speak out continously and are either chastised for it or better yet, the media doesn't focus on the numerous times they have and continue to. I agree, solidarity is vital!

Dean Owen

7 years ago #6

If there was an applaud button, I'd be banging it right now, instead I will say Hear Hear! We must hold hands with out Muslim friends and condemn these deplorable acts together.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #5

Thanks for sharing my buzz Catalina \, your so sweet!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #4

#8
I remember hearing long ago that ISIS was a direct result of Al Qaeda. It's predictable if one group of terrorists are targeted, it's like rats that breed... and I have heard some of what you wrote of before Brian McKenzie, thanks for your comment! That's why the news helps to spread Islamaphobia, because they are owned by our Political system.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #3

#6
Exactly Aurorasa Sima, many KKK members were and do call themselves Christians. Extremist anti-abortion Christians who have bombed clinics or gone in and shot people. Timothy McVeigh- largest terrorist attack in US by a US citizen. The list goes on.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #2

#3
Thank you @Marcel Arizu for your well written, and thought out post. It's a shame that these young black flag carriers known as ISIS see this as their only means. I will never understand the mindset of those who are or feel oppressed that go out and kill innocent people who may be just as oppressed in other ways. Like killing gay people- they too have are targets of hate crimes like Muslims. I can't phantom hating to the point of killing another or a group of people. Appreciate your comment!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #1

#2
Thank you Aurorasa Sima. I can't imagine. I just know what I've seen some of my Muslim friends experience over the years and it's so wrong. It's not their fault there are extremists who kill in the name of "Islam." They too, shed tears for all the victims just as the rest of society does.

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