This post has been updated —ed.
Events of recent years in Europe drive home the reality that right-wing xenophobes are, well gaining ascendancy. From the almost amusing Sarkozy comments on the burqa, to the shocking murder of Marwa Sherbini in a Dresden courtroom and the proceeding silence in Germany point to a disturbing trend in Europe.
It is okay to hate Muslims.
Alex W. was not a “lone wolf” and many xenophobic groups are no longer quite fringe. These developments are disturbing to all Europeans, not just to Muslims. Because the doors of hatred do not operate singly. One door of hatred opens multiple doors.
Non-Muslim immigrants and minorities should not reassure themselves that the focus on Muslims and their clothes will work to their advantage. This focus will not keep the damage limited to “only” Muslims. To minority groups, tolerance and acceptance may often justifiably appear as limited commodities: if handed out to others, there’s not enough left for them. So one group may think it’s a good sign for their survival when another group gets branded. But the targeting of one group is merely a sign that the disease is spreading across the bodypolitic. It’s a matter of time before it reaches you.
The European right-wing trend of hatred, rejection, and xenophobia threatens to sweep entire societies into its dark embrace. Non-Whites, non-Christians, and non-nationals (German, British, French, whatever) are threatened. But beyond that, White nationals are also threatened. Hatred is not some arrow that contents itself with reaching its mark. Hatred is a super-germ, not content with one victim, or with many. It spreads like the plague, and the loss of liberties, terror, and violence that follow in its wake infect everyone.
If a woman can be stabbed to death in broad daylight, it is not just Muslim women that are at risk. If Muslim women’s liberties and choices are threatened, it is not just their liberties that are endangered.
This is not a moment for Muslims alone to rise in protest. The attack on Marwa Sherbini is an attack on humanity, not on the “tribe” of Islam, or the sub-group of hijab-observing women. This is a moment for Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Pagans and atheists to rise up in revolt and to say no to hate, no to violence, no to xenophobia, no to murder, no to needless tragedy - and yes to a sour, painful process of trying to understand Self and Other. For our own sake. For our children’s sake. So we and our children may tomorrow enter courtrooms hoping for justice, not fearing the worst.
Tags: burqa, germany, islam, islamophobia, marwa sherbini, murder, sarkozy, xenophobia
So why do you think there might be a rising tide of hatred forming against muslims?
How would you like to protest this? Want to burn down some churches?
Why don't you read the article properly before making idiotic commnents like this?
Very good analysis of German media reaction on UK Guardian newspaper website;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/germany
(Article title; A murder that Germany ignored )
Reverse the religions of the people involved. "Improperly restrained muslim stabs Christian woman in courtroom after previously threatening her because her costume was incorrect in his eyes."
Excellent post, Shabana. Hate is the fuel for every evil in the world.
Shabana,
there is no argument that innocent people should not be murdered and i understand u speaking out reflects the vulnerability u must feel. i can agree with all of that. but ur fantasy of others joining u to defend 'muslims' is just that a fantasy. until adherents to the islamic belief system start rejecting the violence indoctrinated towards non-adherents then ur wish will never become manifest. until adherents of islam reject enslavement and oppression of their own women, ur fantasy will remain a fantasy. until islamic men and women stand with the rest of the world against violence & hateful ideologies by muslims against non-muslims, ur wish will remain a fantasy. while u feel vulnerable, u must realize that it is the violence and intolerance of muslims against non-muslims that made the killers of Marwa Sherbini felt their white tribe VULNERABLE. i am tired of muslim ideologues and hypocrites who preach justice for muslims in western countries, yet we can't even setup a christian church in saudi arabia (but u are free to setup mosques in western society), we can't walk around in ur bikini (but u can wear ur burqua in our society), muslim women can't vote in many muslim countries (but can in western countries)....u need to look in the mirror, get honest, and stop tribally defending ur unjust and persecutive 'religion' by constantly demanding from us a level of justice that u yourself does not give to us or your own women. LOOK IN THE MIRROR MY DEAR ISLAMIC TRIBALIST!
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