23?September?2013

16?Dhul?Qadah?1434

Debunking The Myths About Islam

By Javed Khan.
Published in The Dominion Post Newspaper, March 9, 2006

It was just over a month ago that some New Zealand newspapers and television stations chose to publish the Danish cartoons. The cartoons had already sparked controversy and protests around the world and, quite naturally, the same passionate debate flared up on our shores when they were published here.

The issue provoked strong reactions from different parts of New Zealand society. The Muslim community was deeply offended by the cartoons. In them the Prophet Muhammed was depicted as a terrorist, a figure who incites hatred, violence and war.

To Muslims, it felt like an act of extreme provocation. Our response was to march, demonstrate and express our offence – but at all times we were adamant that our protests would be moderate, peaceful and within the law.

Other sections of the community had equally strong views about the cartoons. Some media representatives and commentators defended their right to freedom of expression as an absolute. Others talked about their 'right to offend'.

A large number of letters published in newspapers and callers to talkback radio said that Muslims were being too sensitive, that satire of the cornerstones of one's faith is perfectly acceptable and, finally, that we should just take it on the chin if we wanted to be accepted as "real" Kiwis.

It was almost as if we were being asked the unspoken question – were we New Zealanders or were we Muslims? As if the two were mutually exclusive. As if being a Muslim was somehow wrong, or subversive.

The debate spilled over into daily life. Muslim women wearing the hijab were abused on the street. Muslims who were born and raised here were told to "go back to where you came from." It left many of us feeling hurt, confused and as though we had less right than others to live in New Zealand because of our faith.

But, as is the often way with controversies such as this, a number of positive things have come out of the debate.

Political leaders, members of the community, and representatives from Christian, Jewish and other religious faiths expressed their dismay at the unnecessary hurt that the publication of the cartoons caused New Zealand's Muslims. We appreciated their words of support.

And a meeting of religious leaders and media representatives, brought together by the Human Rights Commission, helped clear the air and provided the opportunity for us to talk directly with one another and find common ground and understanding. It also led to an apology from the media representatives for the offence that was caused and a commitment not to publish the cartoons again. As religious leaders, we acknowledged their right to freedom of expression.

That meeting epitomised for me what New Zealand is all about – that despite our diverse backgrounds, we can work together in good faith to build a strong and cohesive society.

This debate also provided the Muslim community with an opportunity to open a dialogue with the broader New Zealand community and address a number of the myths and stereotypes that some people have about Muslims.

The Muslim community in New Zealand is relatively small. When the Census figures were collected back in 1901 there was only one Muslim recorded as living here. Today that figure has grown to roughly 40,000, drawn from at least 40 different ethnic groups including Maori and Pakeha.

Given our small numbers, it is not surprising that not much is known about Muslims or about Islam. However, ignorance can often lead to stereotypes and suspicion. Debunking those myths is crucial.