Media opportunity:
A complete thread of statements made by Muslims Down Under on Twitter is available here: https://twitter.com/MuslimsDwnUnder/status/1062527338712227840
Prime Minister Scott Morrison continues to use #BourkeSt as a means to spread misinformation about Islam. There is absolutely no justification for terrorism/extremism in Islam. Radical individuals are just that - individuals, and do not represent an entire faith
Slandering an entire faith due to unacceptable actions of one individual further fragments society, and is offensive to 1.6b Muslims who practice Islam in its true form, by condemning terror/extremism, and spreading peace, compassion, and love for humanity. See: https://bit.ly/2nGwAZ4
Discrepancies in our government and/or systems are sidelined using easy targets; sensationalising these incidents further propagate terrorist agendas. A University of Alabama research study showed that Muslim incidents receive 357% more media attention, in comparison to non-Muslim terror incidents.
In Australia, within just the top 5 newspapers, ~2,980 articles/year (~8/day) spoke of Islam and Muslims alongside words like Radicalism, Extremism, Violence & Terrorism See: https://bit.ly/2JZwk2u
The goal of ISIS/terrorists is to create division between Muslims & the West. When Western mainstream media fuel this hatred & discrimination, we give terrorists what they want, and push misguided individuals into the arms of groups like ISIS.
In this regard, the Caliph of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad has said:
"There is no doubt that the media plays a huge role in influencing public opinion and so the media should use this power responsibly – as a force for good and as a force for peace. It should show the world what true Islam represents, rather than focusing on the merciless acts of the tiny minority. Publicity is the oxygen sustaining most terrorist or extremist groups."
He further explains:
"...policies that are based upon selfishness, greed and a readiness to forfeit the rights of others are wrong and a means of sowing discord and division in the world. Whilst I accept that the evil acts of some Muslims have greatly damaged society, I do not accept that it is only Muslims who are to blame for the volatility of today's world…Suffice to say, that now is the time that humanity distanced itself from the notion, that only Muslims are to blame for the problems in the world."
For political leaders to unjustly sling mud at a whole religion and its followers, only to increase approval ratings; whilst being involved in unjust policies which fuel extremism and enable terrorist groups to grow is duplicitous at best. These groups are not just a threat to Muslims, but all of humanity.
The Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad explains:
"Even Western writers and
