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a Dear Sir/Madam, It is clear that we currently face a genuine threat of a terrorist attack in this country and terrorism has scant regard for human life. As we have witnessed in the past few years around the world, terrorists will slaughter the masses regardless of their creed, colour or faith to achieve their aims. Our security forces are working day and night to protect innocent lives but they cannot do it alone and so we must help. We have a collective responsibility to be vigilant and thwart any such incidences from occurring in Britain. While all of us have a part to play, it cannot be denied that the media is capable of playing a role more effective and significant than others in protecting our lives. Terrorist attacks on Britain are now imminent and it’s time that the Media spotlight actually fell on itself. In today’s image driven world the media can either help to prevent terrorism or help provoke it and with the security of the British public at stake it may be appropriate to ask the nation’s media “Are you with us or are you with the terrorists?” Unfortunately, in the battle to get higher ratings and increased sales they have forgotten their responsibilities. The media must stop stereotyping Muslims and Islam as this isolates mainstream Muslims and discourages them from bringing suspicious activities to the attention of the authorities. We have already seen headlines such as “Islamic Bomb” when there is NOTHING Islamic about a bomb. If the word “Islamic” was replaced by “Christian” or “Jewish” then there would be international outrage. It has been broadcasted repeatedly that “3 Muslims were arrested” as if there is a desire on the part of the media to connect Islam with terrorism. This is extremely offensive to the Muslim community - why can’t it just be reported that “3 men” were arrested? It is akin to broadcast blasphemy if one were to report that “3 Jews” or “3 Christians” were arrested. It has also become the norm for statements such as “Muslim fundamentalist”, “Islamic extremist” and “Islamist” to be banded around. An entire religion is hijacked but the terminology continues. Why are the IRA, UDA and ETA not termed “Christian extremists” or “Christianists”? “Islamofascists” is another new term that has been coined recently. All these terms are highly counter-productive and simply serve to alienate and anger ordinary law-abiding Muslims in this country who detest terrorism as much as their fellow countrymen, if not more. Clarke, Head of the Metropolitan Police's Anti-Terrorist branch, has led the way by urging the media not to use such terms and we need others to support his message. The media tends to sensationalise the arrest of terror suspects but says nothing when they are released without charge. In a media frenzy it was reported back in November 2002 that six men were arrested for allegedly plotting a cyanide gas attack on the London Underground but has anything been said about them not being charged and being released? The Finsbury Park mosque in January 2003 was raided by 150 police officers and seven men were arrested. This was headline news throughout the media formats but did anyone report that all were later released? [Except for one man - who was charged with immigration offences]. Not reporting the innocence of those suspected of terrorism allows the public to think that they indeed are terrorists. Between 9/11 and December 31st 2003, 537 people were arrested under anti-terror legislation but only 9 were charged. To let people think that all 537 were terrorists is bordering on the criminal and vilifies an entire community. There is a feeling that if a Muslim commits a crime then it is covered nationally but when a Muslim is a victim on account of their religion then it is ignored and at the most confined to local press coverage. A recent case in point is the vicious attack on a 17 year old Hijab wearing girl where the attacker tried to force her to recite the Holy Trinity and threatened to show her that "Christianity is the right religion”. The maniac cut a cross into her hand, slashed her upper arms and side in an hour long ordeal. (Click on link below for full story.) http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/archived/2004/Wk122004/ilfbark/ilfnews/splash.asp It is no wonder that Muslims remain suspicious of the media’s motives. Extremist fringe groups for years have used this kind of reporting to their own advantage by informing Muslims that the West discriminates and vilifies them just on account of their religion and hence this is a war led by the West against Islam. Appallingly these same extremists keep getting invited to speak on TV & Radio when it is clear that they do not represent the views of Muslims. Giving them a platform to air their sick views only aids their recruitment drive and leaves mainstream Muslims isolated and more prone to Islamophobic attacks. The media needs to adopt corrective measures as a matter of urgency as it cannot afford to marginalise the Muslim community any longer. More now than ever before Britain needs the Muslim community to actively participate in the fight against terrorism – the common enemy for one and all. The media can help boost the level of Muslim assistance by stopping the demonisation of Islam and Muslims once and for all. Kind regards, Hasan Abdullah
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