I live in a world where my existence, my way of life and above all my religious practices are monitored and questioned on a daily basis. I am ridiculed for wearing a hijab. I get curious looks for having a long beard. I am constantly under scrutiny if my name starts with Mohammed. My roots instantly draw verbal fire from people to and fro because I am considered a terrorist by default or sympathetic to the cause. I am a taboo to hang out with because I am a Muslim.
Who do I blame for creating a nemesis like al Qaeda, Islamic State (IS), the emerging lone wolves who are going postal or the vast number of disgruntled youth turning to violent resorts to appease their fragmented and misguided ideologies? It takes them down a path of destruction but for Pakistani expatriates and Muslim residents classification starts at colour, moves on to race and ends dramatically but definitely on religion.
The Islamic teachings I was brought up with differ greatly from the ones seen in social reflections today. Jihad/holy war was intended for the perseverance of faith and personal safety, not for the mindless killing spree by these psychos who claim to spread the word of God by forcing their agenda on young girls lured into their stronghold via popular social and volunteer networks. The projection of Islam by those possessing a violent mindset is a tragedy of errors philosophically, theologically and practically.
Back then and even now Islamic teachings were the guiding beacon that helped to keep spirituality confined between the Almighty and ourselves thereby not conforming to a boastful display of religiosity that creates an imbalance between daily lifestyle and ritualism. Muslim faith is about respecting and upholding the rights of parents, siblings, blood relations, neighbours, teachers, the orphaned, widows, the needy or even a by-stander who deserves a smile and a touch of kindness. I grew up knowing Islam as the ultimate guide to living in harmony with myself and those around me. Now, at the turn of the tide, I see a contorted rendition of Islamic ideology and its principal doctrine. Using the sacred words of the Quran to voice propaganda is what Islam has been reduced to by the modern day terrorist. Chanting Allah hu Akbar before taking a life has done irreparable damage to the fabric of Muslim communities worldwide. I see hatred pouring out for my faith on forums and blogs, and I repeatedly question my decision of leaving behind a culture to settle in a place where I had hoped for a better life. What these fanatics fail to realise is that the brunt of their selfish acts is felt by peaceful Islamic communities far and wide. The struggle for a peaceful integration in multicultural societies goes down the drain and we are thrown back to the very point from hence we started.
We are the numero uno priority for 2016 presidential candidates as well. Everyone wants to ride the censure train and folks like us who have given years of our lives working and establishing roots are thrown in the blame pit to get bullied in our work places or threatened in the middle of the day. The promises this political system wants to deliver will only make it worse for white-collar people like us. We may not be active participants in the murderous rampage but we surely will be treated and reprimanded as one.
I am not bullied because I am fat. I am not even harassed by the brown of my skin or the accent that distinguishes me from the rest; I am bullied because I am a Muslim. I am called a terrorist because I choose to remain a Muslim. I am handcuffed because I conform to a specific stereotype. I am constantly under scrutiny as I could be the next potential suicide bomber in the making. My religion and I are the latest things to show up on your television set. There may be training grounds and sleeper cells for all sorts of doctrines but the supposed biggest problem in the US that needs to be dealt with turns out to be Muslims and unless we are deported or leave the country of our own free will like that lanky kid Ahmed, the US can never get rid of all the violence that mars its streets, especially all the racial killings and police brutality (all puns intended). We are given the highest coverage available to mankind if there is one slip and there will only be fleeting mention if a young Muslim couple is gunned down over a parking spot issue. What is missing is the chant “Let us light a pyre and hang all the Muslims like the ill-famed Salem witches of ol’”.
I see no end to this debacle. We are trying our best to make a life for our children, to make them a working cog of this machine. Whatever insecurities and grievances the world has against the US, there should be a better way to solve them. Are we the collateral damage to be sacrificed for the good of many? Life will never be the same in the land of opportunities, life will never be plain sailing from here onwards. Let us just hope the rolling tide does not choke the humanity out of these fine folks.
The writer is a freelance columnist