Throughout decades, Muslims have grieved the repercussions of the phenomenon commonly referred to as “Islamophobia.” However, the question that should be raised now is what to do next? To be accurate and precise, we need to first investigate the term “Islamophobia” instead of succumbing to inequitable imposed definitions that lure human minds and fall prey to the race dimensions of human trafficking, particularly those based on religion.
Whoever contemplates the concept of “Islamophobia” discovers that it tends to be presented as sickness or an unconscious fear of Islam. Therefore, whenever person commits any act of Islamophobic aggression, such behavior may be rationalized as a mere manifestation of an uncontrollable affliction. However, such offenses may range from insulting others to killing innocent souls. Therefore, the most judicious assessment of a subject necessitates a clear and substantive conceptualization of it; thus, it is essential to maintain accuracy in the identification of concepts. By examining the entirety of this phenomenon and its associated repercussions, it appears more tenable to designate it as “Muslimophobia,” as it seems to reflect animosity towards Muslims rather than Islam itself. International law is concerned with individual rights, more that religious ones. Accordingly, the conceptual framework should align with contemporary concerns and their consequences, and protect the rights of innocents who suffer from such a maleficent phenomenon.
The Centre for Media Monitoring (CFMM) revealed that half of GB News broadcast coverage over two years produced excessively negative images of Muslims. The findings showed ultimate failure in understanding the nature of the Muslim community and its wide diversity in the UK. Further, such mainstream triggers tension and instability. In this regard, former ITN executive and Ofcom regulator, Stewart Purvis, said “The findings raised vital questions for the broadcasting regulator.”
The two-year analysis demonstrated that GB News mentioned the word “Muslims” or “Islam” more than 17,000 times in its issues, which equals almost 50% of the total mentions on UK news channels, compared to BBC News and Sky News which recorded 32% and 21% respectively. GB News stressed domestic stories in this regard in comparison with other channels. Moreover, it presented Muslims as a part of a conspiracy to undermine Britain or the British lifestyle. Not only that. According to the findings, it referenced Islamophobia on 1,180 occasions, recording 60% of all mentions, compared with BBC News and Sky News.
For instance, during last summer’s riots, GB News recorded 62% of all clips on UK news channels related to Muslims in addition to presenting them as “perpetrators rather than victims of violence”. On the contrary, the channel deliberately diminished attacks on mosques and Muslim communities, propagated negative serotypes, stigmatized the British Muslim community as an “enemy” or “problem”, and neglected the impact of far-right extremism amid the increase of hating Muslims index from a year to another.
The director of CFMM commented, “Before GB News entering the British media landscape most of our attention was focused on the misrepresentation of Muslims and Islam in print and online publications given that Ofcom’s broadcast regulations were always more robust than the press regulator IPSO. However, the volume of anti-Muslim hate on GB News and Ofcom’s reluctance to regulate its harmful content has meant that politicians and commentators have been giving carte blanche to malign Muslims and Islam in a way that no other channel does.” In response, a GB News spokesperson stated: “This inaccurate and defamatory report is nothing more than a cynical, self-serving attempt to silence free speech. It proves exactly why a news organization like GB News needs to exist and why it is succeeding.”
Upon all aforementioned, it is clear enough how the cruelty of the perpetrated attacks against particular communities is based on religion. It is time for all concerned bodies to take prompt actions to enforce impartiality regulations to prevent utilizing live platforms in triggering hate and extremism that may result in killing innocents. Hating Muslims phenomenon is a crucial challenge that is not limited to defaming Muslims but also deepening social split and instability.
Studies underscored that such a phenomenon is not an individual case but rather an integral part of an ongoing troubling pattern in media coverage, which promotes negative stereotypes and defaming the Muslim image. Hence, Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) recommends the following:
- Media broadcast regulations should review the contents of news channels and put strict instructions for combating hate speech, particularly against communities subject to hate crimes.
- Supporting monitoring bodies for media platforms that release impartial reports.
- Launching awareness campaigns to promote diversity in Muslim communities, contributing to building understanding bridges among various cultures.
- Establishing independent bodies for documenting media triggering against Muslims and publishing periodical reports to mobilize public awareness and decision-makers remarkably.
- Collaborating with civic leaders and politicians to counter hating media speech and enhance the peaceful coexistence of values and civilization.
Thus, it is an urgent time to concert efforts among all concerned parties to put an end to the increase of such malignant phenomenon against Muslims. Media is not merely transferring news, but an influential power in producing the public view. Therefore, it cannot be a tool for spreading hate or deepening divisions.