Hatred of Islam has started since the start of the da’wah (preaching) of Rasulullah ﷺ, with the lives of Muslims being threatened in several Western countries, as well as in the East.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Fear and hatred of Islam are like the tides that sometimes rise and sometimes ebb, DR Elly Warti Maliki, a speaker from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, said at the International Seminar on 'The Faces of Islam', in Jakarta, Monday.

Since the end of the 20th century there has been a new wave known as islamophobia, DR Elly noted, adding that Muslims are accused of being an extremist group, a source of violence and terrorism.

“Fear and hatred of Islam have started since the start of the da’wah (preaching) of the Prophet ﷺ," she added.

According to her, the life of Muslims is threatened in several Western countries, as well as in the East. They are not given the right to worship and build mosques.

Furthermore, Muslim women are prohibited from wearing headscarf and various other restrictions, she said, observing that Muslims were killed in an inhuman way.

The West's fear and hatred of Islam have given rise to the same fear and hatred among Muslims. What is even more worrying is that not only in countries with Muslim minorities, the phenomenon of irrational fear of Islam is also spreading in Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia.

DR Sheikh Salim Alwan Al-Hasani from Australia said Islamophobia is devised, motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious animosity that goes beyond structural and cultural racism and targets symbols and markers against Muslims and the Islamic faith.

He said islamophobia was created by the enemies of Islam which was intended to obscure the meaning of da'wah and jihad (exerted effort) in Islam.

“In fact, in the history of the development of Islam, da'wah and jihad have brought mercy, compassion and peace to infidels as well," said the cleric who was born in Beirut, Lebanon.

The Islamic culture of tolerance creates such a sophisticated system and law. However, the enemies of Islam rejected the system and the law.

In addition, when they learned that Islamic rules apply to all societies and all times and everywhere, they founded the United Nations (UN).

“So what is suitable for them and their association, they apply, while what is good for Muslims, they ask for a veto. In fact, the call for these rights originally belonged to Islamic culture which is based on tolerance," he said.

It should be noted, according to him, that the spread of Islamic teachings is carried out peacefully, as happened in countries in Southeast Asia.

Islam is not only a religion of worship but also a religion of knowledge, work, action and how to treat one another. This makes Islam purify the soul and spirit, and also eliminates all class differences between people except by piety.

“Allah the Creator has informed His creatures and explained to them this fact through the verses of the Qur'an that there is no difference between people in Islam, whether between classes, classes or races,” said Sheikh Alsayyud Tahir from Saudi Arabia.

BKMT anniversary

To mark its 42nd anniversary (milad), the BKMT (Badan Kontak Majelis Taklim/an organization for an Islamic study assembly) in collaboration with the As-syafiyah Islamic University held an International Seminar under the theme 'The Faces of Islam' with speakers including DR Elly Warti Maliki from Saudi Arabia , Sheikh Salim Olwan from Australia, DR Mohammad Lamatt from Mauritania, DR Husen Ismail from Yemen, Sheikh Salim Olwan from Saudi Arabia, DR Muhammad Al Khateb from Syria, and Dr. Kasim Ali from Thailand.

Prof. Dr. H. Dailami Firdaus SH LLM, chairman of the BKMT Board of Trustees and Prof. Dr. Masduki Ahmad also gave speeches.

In her remarks, the General Chairperson of BKMT Dr. Hj. Syifa Fauzia said the study assembly has a very important role in strengthening the unity of the people and the nation.

“Ukhuwah Islamiyah (Islamic brotherhood) and watananiyyah (nationalism) are the foundation for the realization of ukhuwah insaniyah (relations among people), both as Muslims and the Indonesian people," she said.

"Therefore, in neighbors with non-Muslims or non-Indonesians, it is obligatory to maintain good social relations."

According to her, majelis taklim (the study assembly) is an organization that organizes non-formal education in the field of Islam and moves in the form of Islamic activities.

In accordance with Islamic teachings which are rahmatan lil 'alamin (love for the universe), if practiced correctly it will bring mercy, peace and compassion to mankind and the natural surroundings. Rahmatan lil 'alamin of Islam has regulated the relationship system concerning the theological, ritual, social and humanitarian aspects.

“Islam is a universal and global religion because it has excellences or advantages compared to other religions. One of the advantages is a religion that is rahmatan lil 'alamin," Syifa explained.

Reporting by Indonesia Window