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ASK MAULANA Your Questions Answered Q&A on Anti-Muslim Sentiments What do you think are the reasons for the growing anti-Muslim sentiments? The answer to this question can be found by studying a verse in the Quran. In this verse, the Quran says: “And beware of an affliction that will not smite exclusively those among you who have done wrong.” (8: 25) If we study this Quranic verse and objectively apply it to the present situation of Muslims, we realize that what is happening in the world today is not due to “anti-Muslim sentiment”. Rather it is a reaction to Muslims’ own negative activities. Muslims say that instances of terrorism are perpetrated only by some Muslims, and not the whole Muslim community. This claim of Muslims could be right, but another serious aspect of this matter is that Muslims to this day have not unequivocally disowned Muslim terrorism. I don’t know of a single person in the entire Muslim world who openly condemns Muslims’ negative activities. If any person does speak on this topic, he would speak with twists. For example, some would say, ‘It is true that Muslims are involved in terrorist activities, but this action of theirs is a reaction: they are reacting to others’ discriminatory behaviour towards them.’ This kind of condemnation is certainly not condemnation. Rather, it is akin to indirectly justifying the violent actions of Muslims. Objective analysis tells us that such instances that you cite are certainly not discrimination. Rather, they are a result of Muslims’ own doubtful behaviour. Muslims are themselves responsible for this discrimination. According to a Hadith, the Prophet said: “Save yourself from being regarded as objectionable.” Because Muslims do not outrightly disown the actions of those Muslims who are engaged in wrong actions, the entire community will face ‘discrimination’. If Muslims were to clearly condemn the actions of those who are doing wrong, then, only those specific persons who are guilty of the wrong would face the above kind of response, which is termed ‘discrimination’ or ‘anti-Muslim sentiment’.