'After Punish A Muslim letter, I urge anti-Islam campaigners to pause'
The Pledge panellist Maajid Nawaz says people should be free to scrutinise Islam, but they must not aid the hatred of Muslims.
Thursday 15 March 2018 13:00, UK
In a sickening聽letter sent out across the country, 3 April聽has been dubbed "Punish A Muslim Day".
The letter rates various stages of attack on Muslims, including 25 points for pulling off a woman's headscarf, 500 points for murdering a Muslim and 1,000 points for bombing a mosque.
Suspect packages with unidentified liquids were sent to four Muslim MPs at Westminster.
For over 10 years I've argued that legal but inflammatory language by Muslim extremists creates an atmosphere in which jihadist terrorists recruit.
Similarly, language that stokes up anti-Muslim sentiment will create an atmosphere that breeds anti-Muslim violence.
Assuming this letter turns out genuine, I urge sections of the media and anti-Islam campaigners to pause and deeply ponder their use of language.
I'm making no suggestion they had any involvement in the letter directly, but all of us have a responsibility to challenge extremist rhetoric.
You can advocate against religion without inciting against its believers. Just as you can say smoking is bad without saying you hate all smokers.
People should be free to scrutinise Islam. But they must not aid the hatred of Muslims.
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