While the world is still struggling to find ways and means to control the devastating onslaught of COVID-19 which is wreaking havoc across the globe, a well-orchestrated media campaign has already been diligently designed and perfectly executed to vilify Islam, demonize Muslims and thus equate almost entire Muslim fraternity as terrorists. Those who control the movers and shakers of the global media are calling the shots and presenting a controlled and manipulated world-view based on vividly glaring biases and propaganda against Islam. The ever increasing popularity of Islam across the world, particularly in Europe, US and UK has caused much of worry to the western establishment. Thus, those who matter, have chosen to use media in its all forms and manifestations to play down the strengths of Islam and present it as a religion of terror, fear and destruction, in fact,exactly the opposite of its real meaning and message. Recently,the publication of blasphemous sketches in France and the Islamophobic comments later made by French PresidentMr. Macronhave sent shocking signals to the entire Muslim fraternity around the world. In the wake of 9/11, Muslims or those who looked like Muslims, became victims of hate crimes and the anti-Muslim prejudice in the US and around the world has increased at an alarming speed.The recent hate-filled terrorist attack targeting Muslims in Christchurch mosques, New Zealand has not only horrified the whole world but it has also started a serious debate on religious terrorism, white supremacist, racism, hate and prejudice against refugees, and gun laws. But what could be considered as one of the major reasons behind this attack is the increasing Islamophobia in the world in general and particularly, in the West. Hating ‘Muslims’ and ‘Islam’ has become a common phenomenon in Europe, US and UK. The aftermath of the Christchurch attack witnesses rising hatred and crimes against Muslims in other Western countries especially in the United Kingdom. This clearly proves that Islamophobia does not only exist, but it has a grip in the society at large.Unfortunately, until today no action has been pressed to practice since the alarm bells were first rung about the devastating effects of Islamophobia. The modern era is the age of the media and information explosion. The media has virtually turned the world into a global village of communication. It has a unique responsibility of reporting fair and unbiased news The media as the most vital agent of globalization in the modern world, has by all means, played a key role in spreading Islamophobia in the world. Although the mass media has particularly played its role in the shaping of wars, conflicts and their resolutions, it has also often failed to reflect objectivity towards Islam. Dominant global media networks have been criticized to have biases towards the political agendas of the “Western world” or more specifically, the first-world nations. The US is one of the nations influenced enormously by the media as both the old and the young have access to media systems and devices. Young people, who lack adequate skills and qualifications, heavily rely on preconceptions in an attempt to understand the globe which makes them as easy targets of certain media propagandas.In the case of Islamophobia, the media is used as a larger platform of globalization to spread hatred, prejudice and stereotypes against Islam and Muslims. A vast majority of the mainstream media usually describes most Muslims as extremists. For example, the Time magazine published a photograph where Muslim soldiers were shown to perform prayers while carrying guns. The caption on the bottom of the picture said, “Guns and prayer go together in the fundamentalist battle”. Various reliable studies have established that Muslims across different European countries, such as France, Germany and the United Kingdom, experience the highest degree of Islamophobia in the media. The modern era is the age of the media and information explosion. The media has virtually turned the world into a global village of communication. It has a unique responsibility of reporting fair and unbiased news. However, the global media are now responsible for overseeing the ethical issues especially when it comes to Islam. It is now clear that the Western media has launched an intensive campaign against Islam in the name of a campaign against terror. There is a current obsession on the mainstream media and academic discourse pertaining toIslam and the West. This obsession is tinged with negative signifiers with the global media’s dominance of negative portrayal regarding Islam and Muslims.Since the end of the Cold War, much media attention has focused on Islam as a disruption in the global order. Although Islam is the fastest growing religion in the West, the West has many stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam because of the media, prejudice, and ignorance. Islam is often looked upon as “extremist”, “terrorist”, or “fundamental” religion. Today, the West, with limited understanding of Islamic history, has identified a new enemy, “radical Islam”, a stereotype common to Western thought, portraying Muslims as fundamentalists or potential terrorists. The Western public is often misinformed about Muslims through the images on television, motion picture screens, magazines, radios, and comic strips on the newspapers, which promote strong messages among their audiences. Western reporters often label Muslims as terrorists. This becomes a common image to the general person that all Muslims are terrorists. The media should be objective on the universal message of Islam; and by doing so; they can be a medium through which conflicts can be resolved and a global community cohesion is achieved.Finally, Muslims themselves should come forward to deal with the wrong notions about Islam. The mosque is the first place when every Muslim learns about Islam. They have a right to speak to the people and telling them what extremism is indeed and that Islamic faith is not based on terror. This way Muslims can contribute to tolerance for other religions. Also, young Muslim communities can make an effective use of campaigns through social media. Blaming Islam or all Muslims for terrorism is like accusing Christianity for colonialism, world war I & II. Each religion has its own extremisms and the majority observers who are peaceful and nonviolent, cannot be declared responsible for the extremist act of the tiny minority. When the media repeatedly portrays Islamophobic news and reports, it would then increase the discrimination and prejudices against Islam and Muslims. Equally, Muslims who are victims of these events may respond similarly or worse to all the problems they face because of Islamophobia. As a result, our world may be full of hatred, discrimination, prejudice and insecurity.It is the time for media to be fair and separate the few radical individuals from the peaceful Muslim majority. Muslims at large should not be judged and subjected to Islamophobia. The media must understand the genuine sources of Islam, the noble Qur’an and the teachings of the holy Prophet(PBUH), that prioritize and preach peace, non-violence, love, and mercy for the entire humanity. Whenever the media reports about sensitive areas of Islam and Muslims, it is ethically imperative to include the viewpoints and opinions of Muslim scholars as part of the news and documentaries. Time has already come that the media should also work on interfaith dialogue to narrow the yawning gaps created as a result of Islamophobia.The Muslims also must come forward with their counter narrative which portrays the true spirit of Islam. Only then we can make the world a safer place to live. The writer is a civil servant by profession, a writer by choice and a motivational speaker by passion! 20Shares