I am getting rather tired of having to keep denouncing the terrorist attacks happening all over the world when perpetrated by Muslims; and the latest Egypt saga is no different.

The fact of the matter is that it is true that ‘reasons for motivation’ are simply not excuses.  I do not disagree that we must discuss how one may prevent such further attacks by removing injustices along with fighting the symptomatic manifestations…but sometimes we must call a spade a spade!

To clarify the matter from an Islamic point of view, here is short discussion on the legal issues surrounding the attacking of non-Muslim citizens/visitors of the state.  Though it talks specifically about previous bombings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, it contains information that applies to the recent case as well.

This is a message to all the Muslims out there: we know that the media are doing their utmost to paint us with a certain light.  We know, moreover, how it is ridiculous to tally such actions with Islam.  Our leaders stand up and denounce these acts, and insist they are not part of Islam…but do the public believe this when all they see is death and destruction on the box in front of their eyes?

The population of the Muslim world is around the 1.5 billion mark; and a very minute proportion of that is involved in terrorism in its various forms.  The power of the media, however, is that such numbers can seem to be grossly amplified due to the various dramatic and fantastical ways it can publicise information.

Public perception is vitally important, and it is my opinion that the British public are among the most tolerant in the Western world.  After the London bombings, any backlash against the Muslim community was very insignificant, especially when compared to places like America following 9/11, and generally other European countries such as France in the wake of the hijab ban in state schools.

Having studied and worked in the public sector in the capital, I have seen Muslims – including visibly recognisable Muslims donning beards and hijabs – interacting professionally, courteously and compassionately towards their non-Muslim colleagues.  I therefore understand that many Londoners do have a better perception of certain Muslims who collectively make up over 10% of the population.

However, the character of some Muslims in the capital still leaves little to be desired, and non-Muslims with little contact with our communities (and there are still many) have nothing to go by except their perception through the terrorist acts shown on the media.

Therefore, we have only ourselves to blame if ever something were to occur to create an imbalance to the other side of the scales.  How do we then change public perception?

First, we must consider ourselves and our families and communities ambassadors for Islam here in the UK.  If we are not behaving immaculately in public then we need to check everything about us, question whether we really are praying with conviction, fasting by spirit and talking with sincerity, or whether it is all just a habit and show.

Secondly, and perhaps even more crucially when referring to perception outside Muslim-populated areas, we need to be aware of how to utilise the mainstream media in this country.  On a basic level, we should write in to newspapers and phone in to live discussions on television or radio when Muslims are being discussed.

On a more effective level we need to join an organisation that actively partakes in lobbying the media through effective meetings and interviews on and off air, with influential editors and journalists.  For more information on how you can get involved, please see this article.

It is related in the hadith collection of Imam Muslim that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told us, "Whoever sees something evil should change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue; and if he cannot do even that, then in his heart. That is the weakest degree of faith."

It is absolutely clear from the above that we must do what we can to change the evil; and do not kid yourselves – the distorted perception of this religion of ours is among the greatest evils, when it is this very religion that established justice among oppressed people and gave rights to those who were denied.  Our duty is to convey the message of Allah through the teaching we have been given, and through the power of the media, show the terrorist attacks to be what they really are: a small part of a large and rich society with a heritage from which emanates not death and destruction, but justice and compassionate.

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