Is Islam A Violent Religion? / How Islam Portrayed in Media

Recently, I came across the comment under the TikTok video about Islamophobia which said
the following “Islamophobia isn't real. It's not irrational to be fearful of a harmful ideology.
Muslimophobia could of course be a thing. And Indonesia before you ask.”
Based on the comment, I would say it has an apparent bias towards Islam being
violent as well as it is both, depending on the reader’s perspective, apologetic defending
Islamophobia saying that “It's not irrational to be fearful of a harmful ideology” and
polemical arguing against Islam concluding that it has a harmful ideology. The comment
leans more towards Orientalism as it does not promote a specific hateful message. According
to Edward Said, Orientalism creates an image outside of history, of something still and
eternal. Which contradicts actual historical facts. In other words, it’s a creation of what could
be described as an ideal Other for Europe (Said). Thus, it seems to me that due to the
misleading information and influence of Orientalism, the author has a strong negative opinion
about Islam and its ideologies.
However, depending on the interpretation of the term Islamophobia it also might fall
under that category. Although the term is relatively common, there seem to be a lot of
discussions and disagreements about Islamophobia’s precise meaning. According to
Runnymede‘s Trust report, Islamophobia is “a useful shorthand way of referring to dread or
hatred of Islam—and, therefore, to fear or dislike of all or most Muslims” (Runnymede Trust
p. 1) specifically “unfounded prejudice and hostility” (p. 4); on the other hand according
to Gottschalk and Greenberg (p. 5), it is “a social anxiety toward Islam and Muslim cultures”
and that is only a few out of many others.
The author of the comment asserted that Islamophobia is not real. Based on the
context of the comment, it appears the author implies that Islamophobia is an irrational fear,
however, since the commenter believes that fear of Islam is not irrational, but rather a valid
and rational response, thus, Islamophobia as a term is not valid.
In addition, the commentary also lacks any sources such as perhaps verses from the
Quran or scientific articles that led to the conclusion that Islam has a harmful ideology.
Interestingly later, the author specifies that they “have no problem with Muslims. I have a
problem with their beliefs.” Since Muslims are not a race or a nation, but a term defining
people who follow certain beliefs, considering believers outside their beliefs sounds a bit
confusing. The author also uses the term Muslimophobia, which to my knowledge is a non-
existing term that perhaps in this context was used as a term for irrational violent and hateful
behavior toward Muslims.
According to Reza Aslan, an Iranian-American scholar of the sociology of religion,
writer, and television host, “People don’t derive their values from their religion — they bring
their values to their religion. Which is why religions like Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity,
[and] Islam, are experienced in such profound, wide diversity.” The same idea was promoted
by many other scholars including William Shepard, the author of the textbook “Introducing
Islam.” Individuals can look at the same text and take away drastically different
interpretations that have nothing to do with the actual text on a page. It all varies and depends
on the cultural, nationalistic, ethnic, and political background and prejudices of the specific
individual. Thus, it’s safe to consider that violence is something that people bring to religion
themselves rather than to learn from it.
Turning back to the origin, the Quran, there are verses considered harmful that most love to
use to back up the idea of violence, however, every such verse comes with BUT. The Quran
does not approve of unnecessary violence and calls only to fight in the cause of Allah against
those who fight against you (Quran 2:191). “And kill them wherever you meet them and
drive them out from where they have driven you out; for persecution is worse than killing.
And fight them not in, and near, the Sacred Mosque until they fight you therein. But if they
fight you, then fight them: such is the requital for the disbelievers.” (Quran 2:192) “And fight
them until there is no persecution, and religion is freely professed for Allah. But if they
desist, then remember that no hostility is allowed except against the aggressors.” (Quran
2:194)
Therefore here is how I would respond to that comment:
“It sounds like you feel like it is a rational response to be fearful because Islam promotes a
harmful ideology. And I hear that you think that Islam sounds like a violent religion. You use
the term “harmful ideology”. What does that mean? I hear you come from the largest Muslim
country I assume you have a lot of experience interacting with this religion and its beliefs on
a daily basis. I might say that religion with such a vast global following and a huge number of
believers across the world could change and adapt over time making it look and be practiced
a bit differently in different parts world. This is why religions like Islam experience such
wide diversity. Two Individuals can look at the same text and interpret it differently based on
their own cultural, political, nationalistic, and family background. Moreover, it is important
to note that the teachings of the Quran do not advocate for initiating violence with no great
reason for that.”
In conclusion, the comment “Islamophobia isn't real. It's not irrational to be fearful of
a harmful ideology. Muslimophobia could of course be a thing” raises important discussions
surrounding the concepts of Islamophobia, Orientalism, and the influence of certain biases on
the interpretation of religious ideologies. The bias displayed in the comment towards Islam as
a violent and harmful religion is reflective of a broader issue of misrepresentation and lack of
understanding. This bias is further influenced by the principles of Orientalism, which in a

modern world could be seen as a tool of power in the hands of the West. The term
Islamophobia itself is surrounded by various definitions and understanding.
To avoid propagating unverified claims regarding the brutality of Islam. It is crucial to
recognize the diversity of interpretations within religious texts and understand that violence is
often a reflection of the individual. Furthermore, it is important to put an end to the selective
use of Quranic verses that support the idea of violence within Islam and fail to consider the
broader context and overall message of the text, which emphasizes peace and justice.
Works Cited
Bleich, Erik. “What Is Islamophobia and How Much Is There? Theorizing and Measuring an
Emerging Comparative Concept.” American Behavioral Scientist, vol. 55, no. 12, 2011,
pp. 1581-1600. https://doi-
org.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/10.1177/0002764211409387
Gérôme, Jean-Léon. The Snake Charmer, c. 1879. Clark Art Institute. “Make Your Day.”
TikTok, vm.tiktok.com/ZGeAQapf5/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2024.
Said, Edward. "Edward Said On Orientalism [Transcript]." Media Education Foundation. Not
available, https://www.mediaed.org/transcripts/Edward-Said-On-Orientalism-
Transcript.pdf.
Said, Edward. Introduction to Orientalism. 1st ed. Routledge, 2004.
Shepard, William E. Introducing Islam. 2nd ed. Second edition. New York, NY, Routledge,
2014, pp. 1-14.
Singal, Jesse. "Reza Aslan on what the new atheists get wrong about Islam." New York
Magazine, 2014.
“The Holy Qur’an.” Translated by Maulawi Sher 'Ali, Islam International Publications Ltd,
2021.

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Recently, I came across the comment under the TikTok video about Islamophobia which said

Muslimophobia could of course be a thing. And Indonesia before you ask.”

violent as well as it is both, depending on the reader’s perspective, apologetic defending

about Islam and its ideologies.

discussions and disagreements about Islamophobia’s precise meaning. According to

Runnymede‘s Trust report, Islamophobia is “a useful shorthand way of referring to dread or

and that is only a few out of many others.

and rational response, thus, Islamophobia as a term is not valid.

behavior toward Muslims.

According to Reza Aslan, an Iranian-American scholar of the sociology of religion,

themselves rather than to learn from it.

Therefore here is how I would respond to that comment:

reason for that.”

a harmful ideology. Muslimophobia could of course be a thing” raises important discussions

understanding. This bias is further influenced by the principles of Orientalism, which in a

Islamophobia itself is surrounded by various definitions and understanding.

To avoid propagating unverified claims regarding the brutality of Islam. It is crucial to

pp. 1581-1600. https://doi-

TikTok, vm.tiktok.com/ZGeAQapf5/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2024.

Said, Edward. Introduction to Orientalism. 1st ed. Routledge, 2004.

2014, pp. 1-14.

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