On November 13, the terrorist group that identifies itself as the Islamic State carried out six different attacks in different areas of Paris, France. The results of said attacks were over 150 casualties and more than 300 injured. A few hours after the attacks took place, the city of lights was secured by the French military; the country's borders to other European countries were closed; many airlines cancelled trips going and/or leaving Paris and the country’s threat level went through the roof. Since the attack, over 200 anti-terrorist raids have taken place all over French soil, and social media outlets have been jam-packed with chain prayers for the victim and their families, Facebook profile pictures now portray the tri-color, and the Internet is plagued with speculation of what is to come and with possible solutions to the ISIS problem.
It is sickening to see that half of my Facebook timeline has become a common outlet for Donald Trump’s bigotry and Islamophobia. It is more disgusting, however, to see so many people that I know agree and mirror his stance. “But, Victoria, Muslim people are responsible for the attacks on Paris!” Every single time someone utters this kind of comment, I lose my faith in that person. Just to clarify, Islam is a faith followed by 1.6 billion people; to say that Muslims are responsible for the attacks in Paris carried out by ISIS is as misguided as saying that Christians are responsible for the actions carried out by the Westboro Baptist Church or the KKK.
Nonetheless, Islamophobia is spreading like wildfire all over the planet and many people are even going as far as saying that the Qur’an is a book that promotes violence and hatred. It is at this point that I completely lose my faith in humanity as a whole. If people took the time to do a short Google search, they would know that Muslims have been given guidelines through their prophet on how to wage war. Among these guidelines, we find that they are not to kill children, women, the elderly, or the sick; that they are not to kill those who surrender; that they are to be good to prisoners; and that they are not to impose Islam. “But, Victoria, this is the total opposite of what is happening now!” Why, yes, and that is exactly my point. These massive attacks and killings go against everything Muslim people believe in. It is because of this that Muslim men and women openly condemn the actions of ISIS and are constantly trying to make it very clear that ISIS is not representative of Islam.In light of so much misguided opinion, dear readers, I encourage you to do some research of your own, create an opinion and join the debate.
After all, this discussion affects you too.
