Islamophobia – SEDAA

The dishonesty of the debate on “Islamophobia” and the threat to free speech

17th January 2022 admin

By Khadija Khan We are barely a month into 2022, and already we face the same old social and political challenges that have plagued us for centuries. Among them is a crucial battle to protect our right to free speech from the influence of religious ideologues who remain hell-bent on normalising their theocratic beliefs by silencing dissent. However, what makes this struggle against fundamentalism even more strenuous is that the left, once champions of free speech, seems to have abandoned the values of liberalism. Debate is often stifled so as…

Islamophobia is a convenient word to shut down a debate

1st June 20162nd December 2018 admin

By Arshia Malik Islamophobia is a term bandied around very casually these days on anything and anybody who stands up to the regressive practices in Muslim culture and denounces their oppressive characteristics. The first to scream Islamophobia are the practicing Muslims themselves at ex-Muslims, or agnostic Muslims, or liberal Muslims who feel they should speak out against the various shortcomings in their culture, their religion, their text and their fellow Muslims. A disclaimer first – I am aware that many cases of discrimination and abuse against Muslims are on…

Demands of persecuting community leaders must be taken seriously

25th April 20168th May 2017 admin

By Mo Dawah I would like to thank the editors of Sedaa for giving in to my mostly peaceful demands that they allow me the opportunity to write for their racist and Islamophobic website. I write in order to correct the false impressions they propagate, which happen to coincide with the truth on certain tender issues. The message I bring is that the truth may obscure what is convenient for us to think and so must be treated with caution. The golden rule of a peaceful society in which community…

Is Charlie Hebdo ‘Islamophobic’ for echoing liberal Muslim voices?

11th April 20168th May 2017 admin

By Kunwar Khuldune Shahid For a publication that has published barely 10 editions satirising Islam in the past decade, Charlie Hebdo has earned its ‘Islamophobic’ label rather effortlessly. ‘Islamophobia’ even in its most liberal definition would at least imply prejudice against Islam, Muslims or any variation thereof. Accusing a magazine that has mocked Christianity thrice as many times in the same duration, and religion in general twice as much, of bias against Islam betrays – at the very least – bias against the publication. Maybe it’s because there weren’t…

After Asad Shah’s murder solidarity must extend to reformist Muslims

30th March 201625th October 2017 admin

By Rasool Bibi The brutal murder of Asad Shah of Shawlands, Glasgow, on Good Friday has shocked us all. All those who knew him or even encountered him in his shop talk of a peaceful, loving man. Even those who did not know him, having read the tributes, feel deep sorrow and a loss. Hours before the terrifying attack that led to his death, Mr Shah had gone on Facebook to wish his “beloved Christian nation” a “Happy Easter”. Mr Shah had been repeatedly stabbed and stamped on, an indicator…

Brussels attacks: The responsibility to counter jihadism lies with us Muslims

27th March 20168th May 2017 admin

By Shamila Ghyas This is a cross-post from The Nation Another day, another blast. More innocent deaths. At least 34 people were killed after explosions ripped through Brussels airport and metro station. With over a 100 injured, many critically; the toll number is expected to rise. Eyewitnesses say that after hearing the loud boom, they were literally blown back by its force. There was a lot of blood in the elevators as ceilings started to collapse in the affected areas. Just imagine you are at the airport…