Daily Times

In a world propelled by fear and movements borne out of hatred and bigotry I find the notion of equality a distant and unapproachable thought. The semantics of religion does not connote segregation on the basis of colour or social standing, but man, flawed as he is, has his own inner god to appease and satiate. That manipulates and creates a biased, discriminatory route and social awkwardness for underdogs that threatens peace and harmony in the worst possible ways.

America is a land of opportunity, and for expatriates to leave their homeland in search of a new beginning cements the fact that America is the “land of the brave and home of the free.” Ironically, the freedom that defines the appeal of the United States of America to people all over the world is now under fire. Increased terrorist attacks in Europe, and the active threat their organisations pose to the US have jumpstarted a censure revolution against Muslims in general and Islam in particular. This torrential tide has been lucrative for many but its biggest beneficiary has been the US presidential race. The remarkable momentum that was gained in voicing an open aversion to Islam has set in motion a trigger-happy crusade.It is nothing but a pure destructive force fuelling the underlying unabashed anger and fear, which has the ability to wash away decades of bridge-building among communities that are fundamentally opposite to one another in many respects. When and how did we leave behind the founding principles, allowing shameful propaganda to spearhead our campaigns in a bid to gain a hefty electoral vote? Times are changing, and so are the tactics.

With the Republican nomination process almost to a close and the emergence of Donald Trump as the only victor prevailing, trepidation looms over Muslim coomunities as they await whatever new attackhe has in store for them. This presidential election has turned into a bitter amalgam of nonsensical quips and ridiculous claims. When it boils down to the issue of blaming religion, it has been reduced to a bad script of a marginal comedy that has left us agape and confused as we witness the amount of hate propaganda that has been spewed against a group that is already fighting a cold war under the star-spangled banner to prove its peaceful religious presence. One cannot blame an African American for another’s crime and every Caucasian cannot be associated to Ku Klux Klan. Likewise, all Muslims are not terrorists, and to brand them as one is a step taken too liberally, too far. History and statistics have shown that twice as many people have lost their lives to white-black clashes, rallies stemming from anti-government agendas and from gun-related massacres as compared to violence generated by Muslims.

What is horrifically remarkable is that Mr Trump has hoarded a vast majority under one persecution streamer, and while he chants that “All lives matter”, he wants to hang the family members of all Muslim culprits to erase any sign of jihadism from the face of this nation. Was Timothy McVeigh’s family also given a death sentence for that man’s crimes? Were mafia dons like Al Capone or serial killers like Charles Manson penalised along with their families? Then what drives Mr Trump to voice his angry tirade at the families of the so-called jihadists and wipe them out in the process? He has been called a ‘loose cannon’ and the person who incites violence at his rallies and gives fuel to controversies, and is exactly what his conservative opponents paint him as.

Muslims have been an internal cog of the American machine. From doctors to the brave soldiers in armed forces, they have been contributing to the economy like any hardworking individual doing his best for his country. The wave of hatred that has been seen pouring forth from people is not only frightening but pretty intimidating. Mr Trump has successfully provoked the Islamophobia sentiment and made it a cult movement. Now more than ever, people fear the sight of a hijab-covered girl/woman and retort to vindictive and derogatory remarks, and in some instances, assault.

If his nomination path is any indication, then under Mr Trump’s presidency things will go from bad to worse. Public will get to have a general sneak peak in the accusation-propelled contest that is about to ensue between him and Hillary Clinton. Mr Trump lacks a political background but he has been a high-profile, long-time donor of the political arena, thus signalling the fact that he not only knows how to manipulate party big-wigs but also maneuver his way by donating and making deals. Senator Clinton is no saint but Mr Trump is a billionaire mogul with a sharp tongue and a penchant for alienating races.

Humanity has come very far since the time of its forefathers. Threats and contentions are more deadly and pronounced. The legitimacy of peaceful existence among varied religious communities and their subsequent committed motivation to this sovereignty is under question. In the aftermath of all this instability leaders who retort to hateful speech and move to antagonise pressure points among the masses are an unfit choice to run as the commander-in-chief. Nothing is lost yet but a four-year Trump run in the Oval Office will take America back centuries, if not eons. Believe that.

The writer is a professional content writer