What is described in the west as Islamophobia is, in reality, unabashed Muslim bashing. Unfortunately, not only the chauvinists and the extremists but sections of the clergy and even government leaders have freely indulged in this ugly game. There have been instances of desecration the holy Quran, attacks on mosques and harassment of Muslim citizens to hound them- all in the name of freedom of expression!

First there was the mischief by a Danish newspaper of publishing the Prophet's caricature, which naturally drew severe condemnation and protests from the Muslims around the world. Then there were antics of the Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders. That was followed by the Swiss ban on minarets, against all norms of individual freedom and democracy.

Then around the time of 'Nine Eleven' anniversary in the United States, came the noisy protests against the proposed Islamic centre near Ground Zero in New York to the great shock and dismay of the Muslim citizens of the United States. It amounted to denying the Muslim community the freedom of assembly and worship, totally against the spirit of the American constitution. But nobody stopped the protesters. The government only watched the whole episode as a silent spectator.

Hardly had the anti mosque protest died when a pastor of a little known church of Florida in US , came out with an announcement that he would publicly burn copies of the holy Quran. There are an estimated seven million Muslims in the United States. Americans take pride on their constitution wherein every citizen is guaranteed freedom to practice his or her religion. The pastor's declaration amounted to the worst kind of provocation to the Muslims. His act of burning the holy Quran can only be described as an un-American act. But nobody in the US government stopped him from the crazy act. On the contrary, it was described as exercise of the pastor's right to freedom of expression. And Pastor Terry Jones did burn the pages of the holy Quran.

According to his original plans, the pastor wanted to go to Britain and do it there .But to its credit, the British government refused him visa to visit Britain for the purpose. It may also be noted here that recently when a British politician repeated Terry Jones' mad act, though not in the open, he was promptly arrested.

On the continent, France with the largest Muslim population provides many examples of denial of rights to the Muslims. First there was 'burqa ban'; now a 'niqab ban' has been enforced which in effect is Muslim-specific. Women seen in public places with niqab are liable to a heavy fine of more than a hundred Euros plus other punishment. Muslims consider the ban as highly discriminatory as there are hardly a few hundred Muslim women among the millions who put on niqab. What is more disturbing, the French leaders have been talking of launching a debate on effects of Islam on French society, which may pave the way for more such bans; it is feared that provision of halal meat in schools and praying in public places may be denied to the Muslims.

There is no end in sight to such incidents of Muslim bashing. In view of the continuance of disputes like Palestine and Kashmir, tensions between Muslims and the west as well as the aggressor states like India and Israel, are likely to grow further giving rise to the conflict between the Muslim citizens and the host countries.

The Muslim countries should take up the issue collectively with the western governments in the interest of better understanding and peace in the world.

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