WHY is it that every time a white person hears the word “Muslim” or “Islam”, s/he relates it to violence, fear and terror? Islamophobia. What is it? Where did it come from? Can we get rid of it? These are just some of the questions that baffle me concerning the prejudice against Islam.

Journalists in the non-Muslim world create and promote such stereotypes in their broadcasts and writing and play a major role in fostering a negative image of Islam.

However, the way some Muslims go about fighting these stereotypes by engaging in violent protests -- makes me ask: “Are these the only ways of fighting prejudice against Islam?”

By resorting to violence they create more prejudice against Islam.

Zohal Khawaja

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2017