The only reason why this piece was even written, or published by Metro, was because of Osama bin Laden and others like him. Ayub Syed and Metro feel the need to do all they can to ensure that Britons don’t associate Islam with violence because a prominent terrorist associated the two. Meanwhile, the Capitol riot is being widely associated with Christianity; will Metro run a piece by a Christian assuring people that she thinks the Capitol rioters were “bad,” so as to ensure that no one thinks ill of Christianity? Of course not.
Note also the bait and switch here. The headline, “When confronted with Islamophobia head on, I chose to react calmly,” gives the impression that Ayub Syed was subjected to harassment, discrimination, or even violence. It turns out, however, that she was just asked a few pointed questions. This is something to be smeared as “Islamophobia”? So even asking questions is not allowed now? This is yet another indication of how “Islamophobia” is an illegitimate conflation of two distinct phenomena: crimes against innocent Muslims, which are never justified, and honest analysis of the motivating ideology of jihad terror, which is always necessary. This article about a man who supposedly had prejudices about Islam that Ayub Syed corrected. He was not violent or apparently even rude, and to characterize his questions as a manifestation of “Islamophobia” will only have the effect of inhibiting all inquiry into the question of why so many other Muslims continue to associate Islam with a world-renowned terrorist.
“When confronted with Islamophobia head on, I chose to react calmly,” by Arub Syed, Metro, January 17, 2021:
While volunteering on the Islamic Society’s stall during my university’s Freshers’ week a few years ago, I noticed a middle-aged man dawdling through the courtyard.
I could already see the frown lines forming on his face as he approached the stall. He picked up a leaflet from the table and feigned interest as he flicked through the glossy pages.
After a few seconds of awkward stares, he mustered up the courage to utter a few words: ‘What do you think of Osama Bin Laden?’
I let out a weak laugh. I had to admire his audacity. ‘I guess I thought he was a bad man?’ I responded. He shot back that someone else told him they believed the late terrorist group leader was their ‘brother in Islam’.
He got progressively angrier as he spoke. He ended abruptly, almost on cue, like a comedian awaiting a roar of laughter after delivering the punchline.
Religious ignorance is all too common nowadays, so while I was taken aback by his brashness, I was far from surprised that his first instinct was to associate Islam with a world-renowned terrorist.
The man then began a bold inquisition. He asked a lot – about the call to prayer, rights of non-Muslims in Islam, halal meat and women’s rights.
It was clear that he harboured a vehement dislike towards Islamic values. Yet, from his incessant questioning it was evident that he was also hungry to learn.
There were countless occasions where his perceptions of Islamic values were wholly inaccurate.
For example, he believed Muslims held a deeply entrenched opposition towards non-Muslims, so my fellow Islamic Society members and I spoke of fundamental verses in the Quran that encourage coexistence….
Mount Zion says
The believe that muslims hold a deeple entrenched opposition towards non muslim is based on the Kuran . ” Kill them wherever you find them …” , or non muslims can choose the dhimmi status if they wanna live . How nice of her and her fellow islamic society members to show verses in the Kuran that promote coexistence while leaving out others that don’t . Isn’t it so telling that in any other religion you don’t have to put any efford whatsoever into explaining or showing that they promote coexistence with other religions . Only in Islam there is the constant need to explain how beautiful this religion of peace is . Now why is that ? Could it be because people are sick and tired of shariah patrols or beheadings like in the case of Prof. Pathy or vehicular jihad or gang rapes troughout the west and , and , and , and……..
gravenimage says
+1
Jaladhi says
Deny the obvious is the motto of leftists aka present day “liberals”!
Michael Copeland says
Always bear in mind that Metro is a free paper that is thrust into your hand at station entrances and also available to pick from a shelf.
Eleanor says
In other words, it’s a Leftie Socialist Pity Party Propaganda paper.
saturnine says
https://youtu.be/XlTXipsnQrE?t=10
The Istanbulian says
You are descendants of apes and pigs and if you disagree with my narrative, you are racist too.
This is what we call a Medina standoff
mortimer says
Standoff? Or silencing? A dirty kafir is not supposed to question Islamic supremacism, misogyny, Arab racism, etc.
Mohammed Cohen says
Standard Islamic racism
Simon Platt says
Did she let him shake her hand?
mortimer says
This article’s author, Arub Syed, assumes that Muslims are free to privately make up their own minds about Islamic teachings. This provides his perch from which he observes objections to Islam humorously.
Moreover, why did he not consider that his participation at the Islamic Society’s PUBLIC information table, would not lead to conversations that would challenge the views of the society?
However, the mullahs (whom he ignores) insist that the individual Muslim is NOT FREE to make up his own about Islamic doctrines, but rather, they say, he must follow what the mullahs determine to be his duties.
While 15% support Islamic terrorism, 65% of Muslims want a caliphate and strict Sharia law but don’t support terrorism, but a surprising 35% of Muslims are largely non-observant and don’t want Sharia law enforced.
Cultural Muslims identify ‘culturally’ as Muslims, but don’t practice it.
Arub Syed assumes that no one has a right to challenge or question Islam in any way.
Well, Mr. Syed, merely mocking questioners (as you do here) will not respond to any valid objections nor satisfy the questioners. Without reasonable answers from you, the objections will not go away.
What we have observed from people like your, Syed, is that Islam doesn’t have valid defenses for the challenges of modernity.
mortimer says
correction: Arub Syed is Ms. Syed.
Clifford says
Says you…I haven’t see a “female” muslime that I would call substantially human, let alone female.
Michael Copeland says
“Islam offers no answers to the questions of modern life.”
Hamed Abdel-Samad, Germany, son of an Egyptian imam
mortimer says
Yes. Hamed Abdel-Samad is political scientist and sees the sociology of Islam clearly. Islam causes sociological and political failure.
gravenimage says
Yeah–or the author might just be using Taqiyya.
Jaladhi says
>”For example, he believed Muslims held a deeply entrenched opposition towards non-Muslims, so my fellow Islamic Society members and I spoke of fundamental verses in the Quran that encourage coexistence….<"
And he conveniently forgot the verses – I have been made victorious by terror, or "Yusuf Ali: Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly"
(..and there are many more like this Quran.
mortimer says
Ayub Syed and her friends quoted some of the ABROGATED verses of the Koran that spoke of coexistence, but they were, as mentioned, ABROGATED by later Koranic verses that call for warfare against disbelievers until the disbelievers pay an extortion tax (jizzya) in exchange for their lives.
The “verse of the sword” (K.9.5) abrogated, canceled, and replaced 124 verses that called for tolerance, compassion, and peace.
The Muslim authority Sayuti said that everything in the Qur’an about forgiveness and peace is abrogated by verse 9:5, which orders Muslims to fight the unbelievers and to establish God’s kingdom on earth.
But Syed was not honest enough to confess and admit that.
Westman says
That’s likely why the Quran was ordered out of time sequence – to hide from the unsuspecting unbelievers that the commandments which abrogate all others of pesce were received LAST. The Quran’s clever order of compiled Surahs has been deceitful to the unsuspecting since the 8th century. The jihadists know the correct order and act on Surah 9, “The Sword”.
Rarely says
There may even be a peaceful passage or two in Mein Kampf. I wouldn’t bet on it but there might be.
gravenimage says
+1
Sharon Lee Kowalski says
Keep in mind that it is forbidden in islam to criticize anything islamic especially unbelievers. The big babies can’t handle the truth of it that is even contained in their own texts. That is where I learned about ol’ moe moe the pedo the perverted murdering thug prophet of islam.
gravenimage says
Spot on.
Keith O says
For the twisted mind, any conversation or brief encounter can be turned into a violent incident.
Mudslimes seem to have a playbook they run off for perpetuating the victimhood myth.
The Koran is the master plan for conquest, but it seems the garden variety mudslime has a notebook of BS to spew out which makes them appear to be peaceful little lambs instead of the violent invaders that they are.
Of course, having a compliant media and governments helps.
somehistory says
Ah, yes, she “reacted camly”…so from where did the others who joined her to argue with the man…the one who was “wasting time,” but was “hungry to learn,” come? (my fellow Islamic Society members and I spoke of f…)
moslims are taught to lie. moslims are taught to confront with large groups, single individuals, and treat them as ignorant, and stupid, and as though he/she just crawled from under a rock.
The guy knew things that are True about islam and moslims. But she approached his questions as though he was unsure, “he was also hungry to learn.”.
He wanted to find out if she agreed with the others with whom he had spoken. But, she presents it as his ignorance that he didn’t know “islamic values.” well, creepy lying female, there are no ‘values” in islam.
There is only devaluing…devaluing life, feelings of non moslims, morals, Truth, anything and everything good and wholesome and right and true.
He may or may not have been frowning…but they always see it that way because they want to be seen as so innocent and so victimized by those White,. middle aged men who can see the Truth about islam..
“Oh, poor poor me, he was frowning at me. But I remained calm.” Such baloney. Hogwash and balderdash. But that’s true islam.
gravenimage says
UK: Muslima recounts her harrowing confrontation with ‘Islamophobia’ in the form of a man asking questions
…………………
One might assume that the whole point of manning a table is to answer questions–but under Islam Infidels are not allowed to so much as question Islam, much less criticize it.
More:
After a few seconds of awkward stares, he mustered up the courage to utter a few words: ‘What do you think of Osama Bin Laden?’
I let out a weak laugh. I had to admire his audacity. ‘I guess I thought he was a bad man?’ I responded.
…………………
Well, *that’s* a ringing condemnation… sarc/off
More:
The man then began a bold inquisition. He asked a lot – about the call to prayer, rights of non-Muslims in Islam, halal meat and women’s rights.
It was clear that he harboured a vehement dislike towards Islamic values.
…………………
Is this appalling Muslimah admitting that oppressing women and Infidels are Islamic values? It sure sounds like it.
More:
There were countless occasions where his perceptions of Islamic values were wholly inaccurate.
For example, he believed Muslims held a deeply entrenched opposition towards non-Muslims, so my fellow Islamic Society members and I spoke of fundamental verses in the Quran that encourage coexistence.
…………………
Of course, Islam only allows “coexistance” with Infidels when they have submitted to Islam. Otherwise, tehy are deemed to be in the “house of war”–Dar-al-Harb–and are fair game for every kind of Jihad terror.
somehistory says
The truth always comes out, but they smugly believe the non moslim is too stupid to see through their deceit, half answers and deflection.
In the Florida Everglades, there are many different kinds of birds, as well as alligators and for some years now, giant pythons, which snakes are not native to Florida. All of these, and more, are co-existing in the swamp…until one is killed and eaten by its enemy. In the meantime, the non predatory animals are always living an uneasy existence.
Mojdeh says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maNDhGkbzlM WARNING: THE NEXT 24 HOURS WILL BE THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME IN US HISTORY – WATCH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT pass it on if you like it..
Everything i say it has disclaimer weather i put it or not. Not necessary views of Jihad watch or mine. Neither disapprove it as well.
b.a. freeman says
“…so my fellow Islamic Society members and I spoke of fundamental verses in the Quran that encourage coexistence…”
—
… without, of course, mentioning the existence of abrogation, nor that the ayat doing all the abrogating are the most violent and intolerant in the quran.
infidel says
That old man actually had the guts to speak the truth to the face of this idiot Trojan Muslima and actually called her Taqiyya out. She is actually hurt that he called out her Taqiyaa. Muslims always get hurt when someone calls out their taqiyya. They think that it is their divine right to fool and cheat infidels and any1 calling them out is Islamophobic
gravenimage says
+1
Mohammed Cohen says
Since a phobia is an unwarranted or irrational fear of something, there is no such thing as a phobia about the civilization-destroying ideology of Submission (islam in Arabic). It’s the only “religion” where the more its followers become observant, the more they tend to become intolerant and prone to violence. Therefore, having a negative attitude about it is entirely warranted.
Consider that if Submission/Islam is truly a “religion” of peace and tolerance, then wouldn’t extremist Muslims necessarily have to be extremely peaceful and tolerant?