Orientalism and Islamophobia: Conventional Study of Islam in the West Has Generated Fear of Islam

By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 07 November 2024 The history of Islam is as old as human existence on this earth. This is the reason why Islam has always been the centre of study by different religious scholars. In this context, when we see the thoughts of Western thinkers and writers, researchers and scholars, it is clear that they have studied Islam in the light of their specific intellectual perspective and philosophical principles and rules. On the contrary, when we look at the methods of studying religions in the East, we find that the study of religions in the East is based on a traditional approach. Today, if we compare the way of research and writing on various religions in Western and Eastern schools of thoughts, we see a clear difference between the two. In the way the West has made the study of religions and the way they understand or explain religion, prejudice and narrow-mindedness are evidently seen here in the name of rationalism and objectivity. After reading the research presented by the West regarding the study of religions, especially the study of Islam, a trend of dissatisfaction and dislike towards the religion of Islam begins to arise. The manner in which the West studied Islam after the Crusades has played a fundamental role in creating an atmosphere of Islamophobia in the society. The fact is that the crusades which the West considered auspicious for themselves, became a source of destruction for them. Further, the tendencies against Islam and Muslims that came before Western thinkers and writers are certainly unbearable. We see that its effects still prevail today. After the failure of the Crusades, the Orientalists deliberately targeted the teachings of Islam in a systematic and stable manner. Obviously, the purpose of this was to disgust the people with the transparent and balanced teachings of Islam. In the name of objective study, independent research and freedom of expression, Orientalists have not only raised the strongest objections to the Qur'an and Sunnah, Hadith and other Islamic sources and references, but they have spent their means and resources for its sake. This is still going on. In order to understand the tone and manner in which the Orientalists have invaded the teachings of Islam, or the manner in which Islam has been presented, and to develop familiarity with this style, the book of the well-known scholar and prominent figure Prof. Abdul Rahim Qadwai "Islam in the eyes of the people of the West" and "Quranic aspects" need to be seen. The second invasion on Islam and Muslims in the West came in the spate of colonialism. All the European nations came out of their own geographical space and soon occupied the entire Islamic world. Behind this colonial invasion was the notion of the White Man's burden. The meaning of this concept was that only white nations are civilized in the world. The rest of the nations are uncivilized. So it is the duty of the whites to civilize the uncivilized nations. One way to civilize them was to make them Christians. Another way to make them civilized was to make them mere imitators of the West. So, the western nations imposed their religion on the Muslims along with their sciences, arts and laws. They introduced their own judicial system to them. After that, in the way the West studied Islam, there is an aspect of more severity. Christian Missionaries were sent to various countries and the means sought was to convert people to Christianity. Among these societies there was significant poverty. So they went to the poor areas and implemented their agenda. A large number of people were made to turn away from their own beliefs and ideology. The third invasion of the West on Islam and Muslims was after 9/11. After that the atmosphere against Islam was established not only in the West but in the whole world. After 9/11 hatred and enmity towards Islam was spread which promoted Islamophobia around the world. In promoting this mission of the West, the biased media gave full support. Since 9/11, fanatics and enemies in the West have studied Islam in a way that basically includes the idea that Muslims are fundamentalists, extremists and that they cannot tolerate any ideas and thoughts other than their own. Islam is an obstacle to progress. Islam is a threat to all peaceful people. This aggressive and bigoted attitude of the West against Islam not only promoted Islamophobia in the Western society, but also created an atmosphere of Islamophobia in the whole world. This effort is still going on. In the light of the above, it can be said with full confidence that the so-called objectivist thinkers of the West and their colleagues have studied Islam in a manner which is prejudiced, narrow-minded and intolerable. Their negative attitude towards Islam is definitely causing unrest and tension at the social level. Such so-called thinkers and intellectuals should think that this situation of ours is absolutely not suitable for today's society with pluralistic traditions. Imagine. The religion presented a comprehensive concept of morals and character, peace and order, patience and tolerance and sense of responsibility, rights and duties in the society. Today Islamic teachings are being distorted and presented globally to unsuspecting masses with devastating effects on global harmony. --- The author can be reached at: ubfzdqasmi@gmail.com ------ URL: https://newageislam.com/muslims-islamophobia/orientalism-islamophobia-islam-fear-generated/d/133644 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism