Islam
is a religion. A Muslim refers to someone whose faith is of Islam, believing in
a one and Almighty God. A common word that is constantly and unfairly being related to Islam and
Muslims nowadays is terrorism. In this world, wherever and whenever there are
terrorist acts, one way or another, someway and somehow it will always point to
Muslims. The media will always find a way to relate it to ‘Muslim Terrorists’,
giving a fearful impression of Muslims towards all of society. Some politicians even used this issue as a
way to rally their side and to gain more supporters. As a Muslim myself, I am not
impressed and disappointed with how certain parts of the community unfairly
judge Muslims in the world.
It is important for everyone to
know, that Muslims are also normal people who undergo normal lives. I want
everyone to know that Islam is actually a religion which strongly promotes
peace, love and unity. Muslims were taught to always love and be loved, respect
and be respected, help and be helped. People also must know that all those acts
of terrorism proudly being done and admitted by ‘Muslim Jihadist’ are strongly
conflicting with what was taught by our Prophet and the Holy Quran. Never were we
taught to hate and kill. Instead, we were nurtured to always be kind and
respectful of others.
As
students of a highly respected institution, it is essential for us to know the
difference between Islam and Terrorism. Thanks to our educated environment, we
see less hate messages in our daily lives. Despite that there are still people
out there, who do not know or they themselves choose to judge Muslims badly. I
want everyone to be aware that there is a fine line between a true Muslim and
those who call themselves ‘Muslim Extremist’. A true Muslim will never ever promote
violence and evil. Islamophobia, extreme fear and hate towards Muslims, should
not be in our lives as Islam is actually a really gentle religion but it exists
because those terrorist out there who claims to be Islam while doing horrible
things. The media also never helps. The whole world need to know the true
nature of Islam.
A
point of view from this issue that I would like to include in the theatre piece
is a way for the society to know more about the truth, to ‘open eyes’ and destroy
all those double standards that was built towards Muslims. Islam and Muslims
are not things that should be feared. People also need to realise the effects
that are being experienced by Muslims in America due to prejudice towards
Islam. Some Muslims are deeply traumatized while others struggle to live a normal
life due to communities that judge them based on bad things that they did not
even do. Innocent Muslims are being treated badly everywhere for things that
they are not even involved in.
I
imagine a theatre which could expose the audience with the true nature of
Islam. A theatre which would depict the daily activities of a true Muslim. One
which would also show the struggles in a life of a Muslim because of prejudice
and hate that is not supposed to be directed on him. The prejudice and hate
which is commonly played around by
the media and politicians. The prejudice and hate which he or she never deserved.
-Adlan
Theatre Class Assignment, Social Change Paper
