A powerful lesson

 People have their own ways of dealing with their problems and fears. There are numerous phobias such as, fear of death being rejected, or fear of spiders, and fear of heights. These fears stem from humanity’s most basic needs of survival. However, there is a different kind of fear and that is the fear of unknown due to people's lack of understanding, knowledge, patience and ignorance, to get to know each other. Therefore, throughout history, society has always casted out individuals who are out of the ordinary, “not normal “a force that it does not understand. Thus, people are too afraid to break the barriers ask questions, to get involved and learn about others. This fear creates negative feelings stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, against many groups of people such as the Jewish community in the Holocaust , Japanese people in World War II, the Chinese Exclusion act in 1882. Most recently since 9/11 many countries have become so consumed with a very irrational fear, hatred of the entire Muslim Race because most people do not know how to distinguish between actual Muslims who practice the peaceful religion of Islam and a small group of political extremists who follow a wrong ideology and kill their own kind. These types of ideologies not only fuel the cycles of hatred, prejudice, racism which increase islamophobia by instilling in people an unnecessary fear of Muslims without understanding them , but they are more dangerous tools that create evil because they make people susceptible to fear mind manipulation unthinkable hatred and cruel act of violence that normal humanity would think possible .    

      There are numerous ideologies that can create turmoil and inequality and violence in countries such as imperialism communism and the important ideology of wahhabism. wahhabism is an rigorous form of Islam that insists on a literal interpretation of the Koran. Strict Wahhabis believe that all those who don't practice their form of Islam are heathens and enemies. Wahhabism has increased Islamophobia in three countries Egypt Saudi Arabia and Libya because it creates more disunity and violence among how interpretations of the Quran are different. Wahhabism also plays a role in how Saudi Arabia wants to the leader of the Muslim world and Iran is the leader of shia. Therefore, wahhabism is the driving force behind the Saudi Arabia and Iranian conflict because it makes Saudi Arabia believe that wahnnabis are evil. 

In order to understand why wahhabism is evil and why it increases Islamophobia we have to analyze wahhabism from all angles to create context of where it comes from. Wahhabism is 2 centuries old it is more dominant in Saudi Arabia , wahhabism was founded by Muhammad Ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhab Islamic religious and legal scholar in the18th-century by. Wahhabism focus on solely on pure conservative literal interpretation of the Quran and the principles of worship thing one god the teachings of the sunnah without taking into consideration any passage of modern time, technological advancement, societal change and cultural change. This creates disunity between wahaannias and modern day Muslims who follow the Quran with society in mind for example Some Muslims believe the Western usage of the term “Wahhabism” unfairly carries negative and derogatory connotations. Wahhabism 

Wahhabism is association with a conservative view was found by Muhammad bin Abd al Wahhab, whose name is the source of the word “Wahhabi,” founded a religious movement in the Arabian peninsula during the eighteenth century (1703-1791) that sought to reverse what he perceived asthe moral decline of his society. In particular, Abd al Wahhab denounced many popularIslamic beliefs and practices as idolatrous. Ultimately, he encouraged a “return” to thepure and orthodox practice of the “fundamentals” of Islam, as embodied in the Quran and in the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad bin Saud, the ancestral founder of themodern-day Al Saud dynasty, partnered with Abd al Wahhab to begin the process of unifying disparate tribes in the Arabian Peninsula. Their partnership formed the basis fora close political relationship between their descendants that continues today.Since its emergence, Wahhabism’s puritanical and iconoclastic philosophies haveresulted in conflict with other Muslim groups. Wahhabism opposes most popular Islamicreligious practices such as saint veneration, the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday, most core Shiite traditions, and some practices associated with the mystical teachings ofSufism. In the past, this has brought Wahhabis based in theArabian peninsula andelsewhere into confrontation with non-Wahhabi Sunni Muslims, Shiite Muslims, and nonMuslims in neighboring areas. The first Saudi kingdom was destroyed by Ottoman forces in the early 19th century after Wahabbi inspired warriors seized Mecca and Medina andthreatened Ottoman dominance. Similarly, during the 1920s, Wahhabi-trained Bedouinwarriors allied with the founder of the modern Saudi kingdom, Abd al Aziz ibn Saud,attacked fellow Sunnis in western Arabia and Shiites in southern Iraq, leading to politicalconfrontations and military engagements with the British empire. (Blanchard, 2018)

 Trump, the current United States president, IS INFLUENCED by washanism and islamophiobia has proposed a travel ban against seven majority Muslim nations, which was found unconstitutional by a federal judge, in an attempt to stop an entire group of people (Muslims) from entering the U.S. Apparently, he assumes that all Muslims are terrorists. He is so nationalistic that he persisted with a new ban even though the previous one was blocked. In addition, Donald Trump is so xenophobic to point where he persuaded the Supreme Court to approve parts of the travel ban after the Supreme Court denied it several times. The Supreme Court even canceled the constitutional hearing because Trump’s actions are very un- presidential. He is committed to this unjustified action because he fails to make the distinction between the majority of Muslims who practice the peaceful religion of Islam and a small minority of politically motivated radical extremists who kill their own kind. Thus, he is setting a horrendous example for the U.S and the rest of the world by giving the wrong impression that having islamophobia is acceptable in the most powerful nation. Therefore, nations who look up to the US will start to be Islamophobic, which only increases fear and the refugees who need our help will never get help and they will remain victims. Although we are called upon to act, we cannot act with narrow minds islamophobia and lack of true understanding. The only way to solve this humanitarian crisis is if Western nations and the world come together, regardless of their differences. I recognize that I cannot stop all conflict, but at least as a counselor, I can use my voice to help people gain their voices and provide them the knowledge to be comfortable with their own ability to prevent conflict and violence and to fight for refugees. Trump that not all Muslims are terrorists. I want to convey to him the true meaning of the religion of Islam because Americans are afraid of Muslims due to misconceptions about Muslims being part of ISIS. People have false beliefs surrounding the Islamic religion as an ideology. They have come to believe that all Muslims people support killing their own kind and innocent people for no reason. However, none of them are true, in reality the religion of Islam is peaceful and it does not condone any it should be clear, then, that the oft-used term "Muslim terrorist" is almost an oxymoron: by killing innocent people, a Muslim is committing a grave sin. As a result, people need to realize that having Islamophobia does not mean people are afraid of the Muslim race or the religion of Islam. In fact, real Islamophobia is the fear of terrorists and radical extremists like ISIS may be justified, independent of intolerance of anti-Muslim sentiment generally, based upon the ISIS’s violent acts, expansionism, and intolerance. Instead, people need to have a cultural education of the Muslim religion and its actual teachings because “Real Muslims “practice the peaceful religion of Islam and renounce the violent practices of radical extremism therefore, this phrase Muslim terrorist" is offensive and demeaning of Islam, and it should be avoided. It is hoped that as the general level of public awareness and understanding of Islam increases, people will keep "terrorism" and "Islam" separate from each other, and not use them in the same phrase n modern-day use, the ideology of wahannism refer to a variety of phenomena, including Salafism, jihadism, religious belief and practice within Saudi Arabia, literal interpretations of the Qurʾan and Sunna, interpretations of Islam that focus on ritual correctness rather than meaning, and generally any resistance movement globally that uses Islam or Islamic terminology as its reference. It tends to be associated with the practice of takfir ideology, in which anyone in disagreement with one’s interpretation of religion is declared to be a kafir (unbeliever) who must be fought in jihad (as holy war), thus representing a particularly intolerant interpretation of Islam. this movement focuses on Wahhabism as religious interpretation and practice specific to Saudi Arabia, and on the polarized debates surrounding Wahhabism post-9/11. It should be noted that the terms Wahhabism and Wahhabi are considered pejorative by Saudis, who refer to themselves simply as Muslims. Wahhabism has become increasingly influential, partly because of Saudi money and partly because of Saudi Arabia's central influence as protector of Mecca.

Outside saudia Arabia many people and counity worldwide see the ideology ,of Wahhabism as an extremist interpretation of Islam that calls for the violent defeat of the world’s non-Muslims. It is invoked by Osama bin Laden and other terrorists as the theological basis for their jihad, and some say that it is the religious foundation for Islamic terrorism.

Islamic scholars have a different view. They say today’s Wahhabism is a mutation of the movement’s founding principles, and that it must be understood in its historical context, from its founding in the 18th century up to its controversial status today. Unlike Wahhabist teachings today, the founder of Wahhabism, Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, did not direct his interpretation of the religion at non-Muslims at all. Instead, he criticized Shiite Muslims for what 

Trump's initial support to Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries against Qatar shows the deep influence of washannism worldwide beause it increase islamophobia due to suda abrabic buying and selling weapons for no reason 

 There was news about the sale of $12 billion of F16s warplanes to Qatar, and also the US airbase is located in Qatar, so we shall see how this relationship of hypocrisy continues. After 9/11, bin Laden got his wish. The Americans quietly moved their military base from Saudi Arabia to Qatar. Now, the Abu Dhabi sheikh just offered the Americans to move the air base to the UAE. Surely, the Qatari, as fellow Wahhabis, has funded terror groups, but to say the Saudis are innocent of doing the same is completely outrageous. (Blanchard, 2018)

 Saudi Arabia is not the only Muslim country influence by the evils of wahhanism. Egypt is also heavily influenced by washannism haltered of Muslims and non Muslims. This hatred was showed last October when a horrible murder took place in Cairo by hands Wahhabis, he stabbed stabbed to death a Coptic orthodox priest named as Samaan Shehata. The murderer was caught and sentenced to death. During investigation it was revealed that he had been famous for his radical Wahhabi ideologies and that he made a cross mark on the victim’s forehead, which expressed his contempt for Christians.                                                                                                                 

Saudi Arabia is not the only Muslim country influence by the evils of wahhanism. Egypt is also heavely influence by washannism haltered of Muslims and non Muslims. This hatred was showed last October when a horrible murder took place in Cairo by hands Wahhabis, he stabbed to death a Coptic orthodox priest named as Samaan Shehata. The murderer was caught and sentenced to death. During investigation it was revealed that he had been famous for his radical Wahhabi ideologies and that he made a cross mark on the victim’s forehead, which expressed his contempt for Christians.  

        This is not the only incident. Such incidents occur every day in all parts of Islamic world, but only a few are reported. When the incident of Coptic priest’s murder was reported, it sparked debate on the change of religious opinions. This is a complicated debate, as the sermons of the mosques located in parts of Egypt are not completed without cursing the Jews and Christians. In the 1970s when Wahhabism entered Egypt and Islamic world, such sermons and incidents started spreading. Saudi Arabia hosted al-Azhar’s religious clerics on official expenses, honoured and awarded them. After returning, these clerics polluted al-Azhar with the poison of Wahhabism, and thereby its theology spread across the country.

 Today Al-Azhar and the Egyptian Ministry of Awqaf are willing to stop the history of the Wahhabi Islamic theology and reform the sermons. However the Takfiri thought after the three-quarter century has become so widespread that its end is not possible in any traditional way. In most Arab countries, including Egypt, people are accustomed to hearing However, the followers of Wahhabism insist that “the righteous Salafs” have narrated these curses from the beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and thus they consider their duty to repeat such curses at the end of every Friday’s sermon. One of such curses is translated as, “Oh, Allah! Blind and deafen the polytheists, Jews and Christians, make their leaders poor, their women widows and their children orphans...” The repetition of such a frightening and immoral speech in the minds of people increases hatred for non-Muslims so much that it becomes impossible to bring them towards moderation and toleration. While making their sermons, the Wahhabi orators also curse all other sects and schools of thought of Islam such as Shiites, seculars, nationalists, Sufis and so on. ((hazib 2018).

     walhannism violence and terrorism are the complete opposite of the universal message of Islam. The essence of Islam is peace and brotherhood. There is no place for arrogance in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) always prayed for guidance of his opponents. It is mentioned in the books of Sirah themselves that even after the people of Ta'if attacked the Prophet by throwing rocks and stones at him, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Oh, Allah! Guide Thaqeef” and also “Oh, Allah! Guide the tribe of Daus”. Removing the discrimination between Muslims and non-Muslims on the occasion of Hajjat ul Wida’ the Prophet said “O people, undoubtedly your Lord is one”. He could have said “O believers” but he cared for depth of harmony and coexistence. The holy Quran has also mentioned and praised good jobs of non-Muslims, as it says, “All of them are not alike; among the People given the Book(s) are some who are firm on the truth – they recite the verses of Allah in the night hours and prostrate (before Him). They accept faith in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin good deeds and forbid immorality, and hasten to perform good deeds; and they are the righteous. And they will not be denied the reward of whatever good they do; and Allah knows the pious”. (The Quran 3:113-115) ( hazib 2018).

 Americans are afraid of Muslims due to misconceptions about Muslims being part of ISIS. People have false beliefs surrounding the Islamic religion as an ideology. They have come to believe that all Muslims people support killing their own kind and innocent people for no reason. However, none of them are true, in reality the religion of Islam is peaceful and it does not condone any it should be clear, then, that the oft-used term "Muslim terrorist" is almost an oxymoron: by killing innocent people, a Muslim is committing a grave sin. As a result, people need to realize that having Islamophobia does not mean people are afraid of the Muslim race or the religion of Islam. In fact, real Islamophobia is the fear of terrorists and radical extremists like ISIS may be justified, independent of intolerance of anti-Muslim sentiment generally, based upon the ISIS’s violent acts, expansionism, and intolerance. Instead, people need to have a cultural education of the Muslim religion and its actual teachings because “Real Muslims “practice the peaceful religion of Islam and renounce the violent practices of radical extremism therefore, this phrase Muslim terrorist" is offensive and demeaning of Islam, and it should be avoided. It is hoped that as the general level of public awareness and understanding of Islam increases, people will keep "terrorism" and "Islam" separate from each other, and not use them in the same phrase

This debate can be presented in this regard that Allah does not want Muslims to curse non-Muslims. But what will happen, if Muslims accept that it is the will of Allah to curse non-Muslims? If that is so, then after becoming powerful, they will start massacring non-Muslims, create the history of another holocaust, and then non-Muslims will be denied their rights it is such crimes that the ISIS is perpetrating. If it is Islam, then will we have the right to say that the majority of Muslims condemn the terrorist organizations like ISIS, while they internally support them? It is impossible for one to attain nearness of Allah and His Prophet, if one adopts such an anti-human behaviour. One should know that Islam has not come to ruin the world but to settle it. Hence it is necessary to identify the symptom of ISIS and then eliminate it. It is important to note that you will need a ‘Kafir’ in order to attain the reward of converting one to Islam. (Blanchard, 2018)

  Western countries and Muslims countries have unite to understand and define Islamophobia and the to ideology of wahannism so to fix the refugee crisis. In regards to the many studies conducted, the findings bring me to the same conclusion: The reason why the corrupation of washannaism is rampant problem still exists is that most Western societies lack a focus as well as an understanding of what goes on in other parts of the world. people need a cultural education of islam. They do not pay attention to the consequences of the struggles other people go through and fail to see that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (King). Hence, people continue to misconceive the religion of Muslims because they do not address it and allow Islamophobia to take over their approach to solving this refugee problem. Despite the fact that there has been humanitarian involvement in Syria by the United Nations, these efforts are inadequate to the scale of the crisis. Therefore, the refugee crisis requires the implementation of innovative programs and policies to address the short- and long-term needs of refugees and host communities, which are essential to the long-term stability of the Middle East. 

workcited

Hijazi, b. (2018). How Saudi Wahhabism spread hatred of non-Muslims in Egypt. [online] SabrangIndia. Available at: https://sabrangindia.in/article/how-saudi-wahhabism-spread-hatred-non-muslims-egypt [Accessed 21 Dec. 2018].

Blanchard, C. (2018). The Islamic Traditions of Wahhabism and Salafiyya. crs report for congress, 4(2), pp.1-7.