When being “randomly” selected for security checks at airports becomes the default; when hearing reports of the Holy Quran being burned become old news; and when mobs chanting vile mantras become constant outside local mosques, it’s about time to say enough is enough. Muslims in the west are increasingly facing systematic contempt of our Islamic identity, religion, and our way of life. Thirteen U.S. states have thus far introduced bills to ban the Sharia in state courts. This initiative is fatuous and absurd, but points up at the crux of the problem: an increasing and overt hate of Muslims and Islam. Even more blatant are ongoing congressional hearings on the alleged radicalization of American Muslims. These shed a plain light on the escalating Islamophobic sentiment in the West.

So how do we, as Muslims, respond to this test from Allah Most High? We must depart from taking apologetic stances regarding our sacred religion. In a world focused on the self, Muslims center their lives around God and that is exactly what distinguishes us from other nations and peoples. We fear God, not men. Our pride and dignity lie in our identity as Muslims who, among other things, not only pray, fast, and give charity, but also in our history, our holy traditions and our beautiful way of life. We need to restore our self-respect by standing up for ourselves despite the Islamophobic storm that has devastated the West. People may choose to veil themselves from the grace of Islam, but not at the expense of scorning Muslims. It’s time to give people real answers about your religion, not merely what they want to hear. Join our live event this Sunday, April 17, to hear Sheikh Nuh Keller, a prominent scholar of Islamic spirituality and law, speak about Islamophobia, and general guidelines for your private and public life to address and challenge it.
Confronting Islamophobia with Sheikh Nuh Keller
Sunday, April 17 @ 5pm GMT

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