Photo Credits to: John Gomez
How is religion related to peace education?
In our lesson, we learned that peace education involves the acquisition of values, knowledge, and the development of attitudes, skills, and behaviors necessary to foster harmonious living with oneself, others, and the natural world. We also discussed how peace is a requisite to sustainable development, as seen in the 16th sustainable developed goal (peace, justice, and strong institutions) designed by the United Nations. Meanwhile, religion — which is a vital component of our human condition — has been a source of violence and conflict in different parts of the globe.
Acts of anti-Semitism, discrimination against Sikhs, and predominant Islamophobia have been posted on the Internet and reported in the news. This has prevented people from peacefully practicing their chosen religion due to the fear that they or their loved ones might be hurt or killed simply because they wanted to practice their faith. That is why with peace education, it will be possible for us to teach people to become agents of peace who will uphold human dignity, promote goodwill, and spread understanding among different communities. This way, individuals around the world would no longer live with the fear of experiencing any kind of violence because of their religious beliefs and feel secure in their daily lives.
What are the negative notions about Islam?
It is no question that when talks involve violence and terrorism, the most common idea that people have would be the religion of Islam. Muslims, who are believers of Islam, are often labeled as terrorists and violent people. But contrary to these stereotypes, Muslims do not support violence nor extremism. These people actually care more about their jobs, the quality of governance they have in their countries, and the security their family needs. People tend to forget that Muslims also share the same practical values as any other non-Muslims.
However, with the violence attached to certain groups and certain Muslim countries in the world, partnered with the bad portrayals of Muslim characters in Western media, people began to associate violence with the religion of Islam and its people (“Islam is a violent religion”).
Other negative notions of the religion include:
Radical Muslim insurgent, bent on waging "jihad" or the "holy war" (the root cause of the notion Islam is a violent religion)
Acceptance of Islam is equated with women giving up equality and women’s rights are represented as being incompatible with freedom of religion
What is the situation of the discrimination Muslims face around the world?
Discrimination against Muslims is a complex issue that has been prevalent in various parts of the world. Muslims may face varying experiences of discrimination depending on factors such as their current geographical location, cultural context, and political society. There are common forms of discrimination faced by Muslims globally, such as Islamophobia, which refers to the fear, prejudice, or hatred directed towards Islam and Muslims. It can manifest in various ways, such as negative stereotypes, verbal abuse, physical attacks, or discriminatory policies targeting Muslims. Islamophobia often arises from ignorance, misinformation, and sensationalized media portrayals.
Muslims, particularly those who are visibly identifiable by their clothing or appearance, often face racial and religious profiling. They also encounter discrimination in the workplace, ranging from unfair treatment during hiring processes to unequal opportunities for promotion or advancement. They also have been targeted in hate crimes and violent acts due to their religious identity. Mosques, Islamic community centers, and individuals have been subjected to vandalism, arson, physical assaults, and even murder.
In certain countries, Muslims may face restrictions on their religious practices, including mosques, wearing religious attire (such as hijabs or niqabs), or observing Islamic rituals and holidays. These limitations infringe upon their freedom of religion and contribute to a sense of marginalization and exclusion. Media often plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and can perpetuate negative stereotypes and misinformation about Muslims. Biased reporting, sensationalism, and the association of Islam with terrorism can contribute to a hostile social environment for Muslims, reinforcing discriminatory attitudes.
What are the things we can do to address this issue?
→ Knowing Me, Knowing You
They say that ignorance is bliss. Maybe, some do not shed much light on the discrimination of members of Islam because they do not know much about it. It is also perhaps because of the lack of knowledge of their beliefs that negative prejudices are built against the believers. By equipping oneself with knowledge about Islamic beliefs, there could be a better understanding of their faith and the people. In the same way, they must also be given a chance to understand the beliefs of other religions. This would open a dialogue that will be instrumental in achieving peace.
This can be done on a wider scale, but as students, there could be a way to make our contribution. The group could be in contact with experts in the Islam faith, possibly their heads. On the other hand, the group would also reach out to catechists. With proper permission and arrangements, the Islam leaders would be given an opportunity to talk about their faith to non-Islam children. Likewise, catechists would be given a platform to educate Islam kids about Catholic or Christian beliefs. The goal of this activity would not be to convert anyone to a different religion, but rather, to allow the children to understand one another’s religion. This early understanding would prevent them from having biases or false prejudices that could translate into discrimination in the long run.
In general, the group also advocates for the proper inclusion of different religious beliefs into the education system. There should be a debunking of the myths or misconceptions about religions, not only Islam. Many conflicts that affect peace are rooted in religious beliefs, therefore, these must be addressed. We are free to choose our religions and to deal with our faith, but we must not let these be hurdles in our relationship with our fellow people.
→ Listen, Unify, and Amplify
Listen – Before anything else, we must heed and listen to the grievances, and experiences of the Muslim Community. Before we make an effort to end discrimination, we must also take the time to contextualize ourselves to the specific problems surrounding the group. These people, who experience first-hand discrimination, are those who understand most of the demands, and solutions needed to end it.
Unify – As simple citizens, the best that we can do is to stand in solidarity with them against discrimination. Listen when their voices need to be heard or defend them in their absence, whether against the ignorance of a friend/ family member or correcting a stranger online/physically/.
Amplify – Lastly, we must come to their aid and amplify their voices. Give them proper platforms, and join them in making sure their voices are heard by other people. Not by being in the forefront, but by ensuring that they get to be. One can also support their calls for a safe space to practice their religion, especially in places that are largely occupied by another religion.
For a summary of this blog post and our advocacy for this week, check out the infographic below:
Bibliography:
Islamic Human Rights Commission (UK). (2020, November 30). Report on Anti-Muslim Hatred and Discrimination. OHCHR. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Religion/Islamophobia-AntiMuslim/Civil%20Society%20or%20Individuals/IslamicHumanRightsCommission.pdf
Thompson, M., Helwig, J., Pappas, D., & Simrell, S. (2007, December 03). Continuing the Fight: Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims. Helsinki Commission. https://www.csce.gov/international-impact/continuing-fight-combating-intolerance-and-discrimination-against-muslims
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