Q. Does Religion Produce Hardliners?

un-Islamic. Such an action represents a misinterpretation of the term shahadat. According to Islamic teachings, one cannot intentionally court a martyr’s death. The fact is that suicide is forbidden (haraam) in Islam. Under no circumstances whatsoever is committing suicide lawful, according to Islam. It is not permitted to the point where, if someone is dying and, certainly, he will not survive, even in his final moments, Islam does not allow him to take his own life. Q. How Can Muslims Overcome Islamophobia? A. I do not believe that ‘Islamophobia’ actually exists. The irony is that other communities have not coined this term— Muslims themselves have so named it. Thus, ‘Islamophobia’ is an allegation, not a real phenomenon. The facts in this matter are contrary to what Muslims generally think. The resentment many non-Muslims have is against certain attitudes and behaviours of Muslims. If Muslims introspect and rectify themselves, they would no longer remain a problem community for anyone. No longer would others have a negative view of them. What is needed is for Muslims to reform themselves, and then everything, including other peoples’ negative perceptions about Muslims and Islam, will be settled. It is a two-point formula: first, Muslims must admit that the phenomenon is ‘Muslim-phobia’ and not ‘Islamophobia.’ Second, they must reform themselves—their attitude and their behaviour. Right-thinking Muslims must educate other Muslims in this regard. FAQs ABOUT INTERFAITH DIALOGUE