The long and impetuous history of terrorist attacks in Kenya by Al Qaeda associates and in particular Al Shabaab has created a breeding ground for islamophobia, which is defined by the irrational and prejudiced hatred, fear and dislike for Islam and Muslims.
A survey of this islamophobic venom that is spewed in mainstream and social media platforms reveals the brush-stoking of Muslims as “the enemy within” in addition to misrepresentation of Islam as a violent political ideology instead of a wellhead of faith, spirituality and values that are not dissimilar to the ones espoused in the other Abrahamic religions.
The media also inadvertently aid in breeding islamophobia by focusing a lot on Muslim extremists who are a tiny minority relative to the larger Muslim population in the country, which is peaceful and interested in being part of Kenya’s mosaic.
There is therefore an extreme hunger to see more news stories about ordinary Muslims and their faults; deaths and suffering under Al Shabaab, as well as their successes, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.
Domestic islamophobes are taking advantage of the lack of sufficient and proper information on Islam and Muslims in the public domain to sell their radicalism in hate.
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They even misleadingly insinuate that Islamic institutions and places of worship are literally the “command centres of terrorism” as opposed to places of spiritual nourishment and enlightment.
The most dangerous aspect of islamophobia is that it has the potential to be a cause of radicalisation among young Muslims once they start to feel alienated.
This only works to the benefit of the militant groups which target those who feel like outcasts with a promise to offer them a transnational sense of identity and brotherhood.
Therefore, we need to counter the dangerous threats of islamophobia by creating more robust policies on inclusion of Muslim citizens in addition to safeguarding their equality and civil liberties.
Also religious leaders, media and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) officials ought to collaborate in putting the right message of Islam to our society so that we can raise youngsters who would not fall prey to pseudo-religious teachings as well as prevent ignorant and reckless condemnations and accusations of Islam and Muslims by some of our political, religious and media commentators.
My belief is that an empowered Muslim society is the best weapon to fight Muslim extremism as it was shown in the Anbar awakening in Iraq against ISIS.
The North Eastern region is also much more safer today because of the increased collaboration between locals and the security agencies in the region.
Hassan Malik Mohamed, Garissa
