Yes, I can. Watch me: Your fear is irrational.
Why? The London, Ontario attack was a heinous crime, but it was a one-off. It was not an indication that Muslims must live in fear in Canada. Muslims are freer and safer in Canada than they are in many majority-Muslim countries. Muslims in Canada do not face widespread vigilante attacks, or hate crimes, or discrimination. The U of T is retailing hysterical and manipulative propaganda.
Meanwhile, most or all of those who solemnly nodded their heads when this fellow said “You can’t tell me my fear is irrational” would insist that fear of jihad terror is irrational, and leads to “Islamophobia,” despite the fact that there have been over 40,000 jihad attacks worldwide since 9/11.
“‘You can’t tell me my fear is irrational’: U of T community reflects on Islamophobia following London attack,” by Carmina Cornacchia, The Varsity, October 24, 2021 (thanks to Henry):
Content warning: This article contains discussions of Islamophobia and Islamophobic violence.
Salman Afzaal, Madiha Salman, Yumna Afzaal, and Talat Afzaal, four members of a Muslim family from London, Ontario, are dead because a terrorist ran the family over with his car on June 6, 2021. Fayez, a nine-year-old member of the family, survived but was seriously injured.
A CBC News article compiled profiles on each of the deceased. Madiha Salman was a PhD student at Western University, and is remembered by one of her students as a dedicated teaching assistant. Her husband, Salman Afzaal, worked as a physiotherapist in seniors’ living centres and was described by CBC News’ interviewees as sunny and positive. Their daughter Yumna Afzaal was a high school student who excelled in her academic life and impressed her teachers despite the challenges of doing high school online.
The London attack is part of a larger pattern of violence against Muslim people across the world. The Varsity interviewed Muslim students and faculty, who reflected on Islamophobia in Canada.
Student unions’ responses
“Tragedies like this force us to confront the reality that Islamophobia, hate, and vitriol continue to exist within our communities,” read a statement made by the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) on June 10.
In an email to The Varsity, Basmah Ramadan, vice-president external of the MSA, cited the Anti-Islamophobia Community Working Group as a positive step toward policy change from the administration that would help Muslim students and expressed hope that it would be followed by continued efforts against Islamophobia at U of T.
The Arts and Science Students’ Union (ASSU) also responded with a statement, writing that it was “horrified” and likening the attack to other instances of violence against Muslims in Canada. It called for the community to reflect on their own personal biases following the attack.
Faculty initiatives
In a collection called Reflections on the London, Ont. murders, Anver Emon, director of the Institute of Islamic Studies at U of T, linked the London murders to the “erasure” of Muslim people in Canada. He described them as a symptom of Islamophobia in Canadian public policy.
He cited Quebec’s legislation against religious symbols in certain occupations as another example, writing that the legislation results in the dehumanization of Muslim women and “other racialized minority women.” Emon also pointed out gaps in Canada’s archives, which lack data on Muslim Canadians and offer few acknowledgements of their contributions, leading to inadequate representation of Muslim Canadians in public policy.
Dr. Youcef Soufi, from the Institute for Islamic Studies, wrote part of Reflections on the London, Ont. Murders alongside Emon. Soufi spoke to The Varsity about how the collection came to be. He said, “our objective was… to use our academic skills… to contribute to a public sphere. And it was also an act of mourning together — an act of solidarity.”
Soufi said that the collection includes both personal and academic writings. For the latter category, contributors wrote about topics including the difficulties faced in persuading public officials to implement well-researched interventions for Islamophobia.
Muslim students at U of T respond
In an interview with The Varsity, Soban Atique, a current student at U of T, spoke about the various responses to the terrorist attack in London. He said that responses from government officials were “lacklustre,” noting that pressure from the public was required to make Doug Ford refer to the incident as a terrorist attack. Atique also said that he was encouraged by the large number of people who attended the vigil for the victims that was held at U of T.
Atique talked about the importance of reading Muslim authors and consulting with Muslim people when Islamophobia is being discussed in the media.
He also stressed the importance of lived experiences when talking about issues that affect Muslim people. “You can’t tell me my fear is irrational,” he said, when talking about anti-Muslim violence….
Jim says
People on the left have adopted Islam as their privileged religion. Why is hard to say. Obviously it leads to violence against non-Muslims and even against Muslims by Muslims. There seems to be little positive in Muslim doctrines, so why is it privileged and defended? Perhaps to prove one is not a bigot like the Nazis. But being tolerant only works if the people one is tolerant of have to be themselves well-intentioned and unbiased, tolerant and fair to the others. Yet this is often not the case with Islam.
Terry Gain says
Being pro Islam is a left wing thing. It is part of being anti-right.
James Lincoln says
Terry Gain,
Your statement is correct
That being said, it is irrational for a Leftist to be pro-islam.
Because islam is Far Right.
Makes me wonder how Leftists deal with the cognitive dissonance…
https://www.faithfreedom.org/islam-is-the-new-far-right/
mortimer says
To Jim: Islam is the ‘protected religion’ and jihadists are the ‘noble savages’ of the Left.
Fred Alan Medforth says
BREAKING: Islamist terrorist attack foiled – sympathisers of the terrorists attack a camera team during the police operation (VIDEO)
https://medforth.biz/breaking-islamist-terrorist-attack-foiled-sympathisers-of-the-terrorists-attack-a-camera-team-during-the-police-operation-video/
gravenimage says
Good to hear the attack was foiled, Fred–but there are apt to be many more.
somehistory says
Ah, poor baby. He’s “afraid” of something so rare as to be almost non-existent.
If the person who fears an attack by mozlums….those devoted to satan and rabid with the idea that they have a right to rape and murder all whom they choose…is a “phobic” for a real fear, because that is what mozlums claim, then by cracky, the mozlum fool who says he “fears” a terror attack on himself/herself because it happened *once* is also “phobic.”
But, this mozlum….and all the others whining, saying they *fear* this and that from infidels…is just using another tactic of mozlums everywhere to inflame the public and cause politicians to make new rules and laws so they can gain even more power over the common people.
Anyone who has not become disgusted by mozlums and their evil designs, has not been paying enough attention….to Nigeria, Sudan, Congo, Israel, Pakistan, Montana, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, New York, Canada, ….
When china is discussed by people such as Beck and his guests, they speak about the horrible treatment of the uygers there, but no such discussion is had about the way mozlums everywhere else in the world are treating Christians.
So, some mozlums died prematurely. I’ll cry for them, when there is more crying from other mozlums for Christians being slaughtered…every day…everywhere. So far, a little would be more. Some would be more.
gravenimage says
And while I am *no* fan of Communist China, they are reacting to a spate of horrifying Jihad terror attacks. Here are just four of them:
“China: Islamic jihadists murder 27, injure 109 in jihad attack at Kunming railway station”
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/03/china-islamic-jihadists-murder-27-injure-109-in-jihad-attack-at-kunming-railway-station
“China: Islamic jihadists murder 21 in axe, knife and arson attack”
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2013/04/china-islamic-jihadists-murder-21-in-axe-knife-and-arson-attack
“China: Muslim murders eight in knife attack in Xinjiang”
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2017/02/china-muslim-murders-eight-in-knife-attack-in-xinjiang
“China: Knife-wielding Muslims attack police station, government offices, dozens dead or injured”
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/07/china-knife-wielding-muslims-attack-police-station-government-offices-dozens-dead-or-injured
somehistory says
Yes, g, they have been victimized too by mozlums. Because they are so ruthless against any they see as a threat to their absolute rule, they have received a lot of negative press, while the mozlums receive little negative press…or none at all…for all they do that is also “ruthless.”
One of the problems with china…they persecute Christians just as much as mozlums, and Christians pose no terror threats at all. The ccp sees Christians as a threat to their rule due to people becoming Christians and not wanting to be like them.
And, the poor doctors and others who have been silenced…”disappeared”…for speaking up about what has been happening, esp in wuhan with the virus manipulations.
The ccp and the mozlums….two departments of the evil side.
gravenimage says
Agreed, Terry.
Kepha says
Back in the 1990’s, the Chinese government was nervous because a few hundred people in the country were exploring their Jewish identity (descendants of the old Kaifeng community; foreign Communist “foreign friends” who had gone frum in their old age). The Party was whispering ominously to itself, “What happened to Soviet Big Brother when those people got uppity?”
I pray God’s relief for the persecuted Christians of China, and know something about this issue. As for the Wuhan virus, I do not blame wet markets (for I have walked through many myself), but strongly believe it is due to poor safety standards at all kinds of Chinese installations. It may possibly have been a deiberate leak–but that’s only something within the realm of possibility.
As for Sharki Trukistan separatism, much as I hate Islam, I will add that this problem could not happen to a nicer gummint.
Peter Burrows says
Thanks, GI. Here’s something you may agree with:
https://silvercityburro.com/2020/10/02/chinas-muslims-a-different-perspective/
gravenimage says
University of Toronto student on ‘Islamophobia’: ‘You can’t tell me my fear is irrational’
…………
Why not? Is Soban Atique saying that his stance is irrefutable–or just that no Infidel is allowed to say that it isn’t?
And he is majoring in Political Science and Criminology, so he is likely to be enabling the next generation of Muslim surpremacists.
Diane Harvey says
The claim that “You can’t tell me my fear is irrational” cuts both ways. My phobia/fear of Islam is more than warranted. 1400 years of fear.
gravenimage says
Good point, Diane.
And good to see you posting again. Hope you are well.
mortimer says
To Diane Harvey: yes, 1400 years of jihadism against the dirty kafirs and 270 million corpses resulting from jihad.
One person was killed by jihad every 20 minutes since Mohammed began his raids.
rp says
Islam killed over 200 millions Hindus since 1100’s .So your figure should be around 400 million! Even today most Hindus no longer exist in Pakistan, Kashmir Bangladesh etc.
tim gallagher says
There seem to be very few attacks against Muslims from what I can see. Obviously, there was that attack on the mosque in New Zealand. This constant whingeing and whining about what a huge problem “Islamophobia” is goes on and on. I think it is a load of bullshit. What does amaze me is that Muslims seem to think that they can get around continually murdering non-Muslims in terrorist attacks, all over the world, and yet we non-Muslims are supposed to, bizarrely, go on liking them. That is something I don’t understand at all. If Muslims want to be liked, and want to end this terrible “Islamophobia”, then they should behaved like civilised human beings and stop murdering non-Muslims, stop their barbaric rape gangs and all their other evil crap, then there would be no problem. It is insane the way Muslims seem to think that they can treat non-Muslims so appallingly and yet they think they will be liked, and not disliked intensely by plenty of people. There seems to be this extraordinary arrogance on the part of Muslims where they do seem to think they can behave appallingly and yet we non-Muslims will just put up with all their evil garbage.
mortimer says
Good point from gallagher: The ratio between Muslims who kill kafirs and kafirs who kill Muslims is surely over 200 to 1 every tear.
Which is statistically the bigger threat?
Religions which do not practice aggressive warfare against disbelievers do not have a problem of ‘phobia’ against them. Religions like Buddhism, Jainism, Hutterites and Seventh-Day Adventism have no threat associated with them.
Islam is the only religion that has the aggressive, supremacist JIHAD teaching.
ISIS, the Taliban and Al Qaeda claim that they are the ideal expression of Islam.
tim gallagher says
Yes, that’s it, mortimer. What staggers me is the sheer arrogance of Muslims. They seem to think that they can go around killing non-Muslims in endless terrorist attacks and, somehow, we are just going to accept this crap from them and keep liking them. No way do I feel that way about Islam or Muslims. If they want to be liked and not hated, then they need to drop all the evil, murderous terrorism, along with the rape gangs, etc, which they indulge in. I hate islam in the same way i hate Nazism and Communism. All three are evil, violent, murderous ideologies. They deserve to be hated and I certainly do hate them.
livingengine says
There is no evidence that Veltman was part of a larger pattern or agenda.
‘Isolated,’ ‘estranged,’ ‘angry’: Who is accused mass killer Nathaniel Veltman?
https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/isolated-and-estranged-who-is-accused-mass-killer-nathaniel-veltman
We have much to learn about Nathaniel Veltman, accused of killing a Muslim family in London — police say he targeted them for their beliefs — but CTV News reports, “Documents filed in Veltman’s parents’ 2016 divorce proceedings make no mention of racism or radicalization, but portray someone prone to anger and who was medicated for mental illness.” – https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/agar-hate-the-action-not-the-illness
The Londoner charged in the worst mass killing in city history – one police allege was motivated by anti-Muslim hate — is an introverted young man who largely kept to himself, some neighbours say. – https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/neighbours-speak-out-about-man-charged-in-alleged-anti-muslim-killings
rubiconcrest says
“Jihad Report
Oct 16, 2021 –
Oct 22, 2021
Attacks 31
Killed 106
Injured 55
Suicide Blasts 0
Countries 13”
from ‘the religion of peace’ website
Note if searching on google you have to add .com otherwise it is buried in search results somewhere after page 6, I did not have the time to look further. Bing shows it right under wiki on the FIRST page.
gravenimage says
Yes, horrible, rubiconcrest.
And you are right that the Religion of Peace site gets hidden in search results–I think this is deliberate.
I keep this in my email:
https://www.thereligionofpeace.com
James Lincoln says
gravenimage,
Google censors the search results for “the religion of peace”.
Bing and DuckDuckGo currently do not…
gravenimage says
James, I should have made it clear I was talking about Google. That they are the most widely used search engine–and that “google” is now used as a verb for any computer search–is deeply disturbing.
And I just today noticed that Jihad Watch is now using Bing for both external and internal searches. I’ve tried it out on a couple of subjects, and it is working really well. I love JW, but it has always had a fairly poor internal search engine (you can’t do everything brilliantly). I hope this turns out to be a good fix.
Bella says
They shove these fruitcakes in our faces without consulting us at all and expect all our love and compassion? Read the quran or don’t speak.
Kepha says
Hate Islam though I may,if what is reported is all there is on the attack on Salman Afzaal’s family, I can only say that it was a heinous and unjustifiable crime.
But I also wonder, how long will it be before there will be calls to “understand the motivations” of such crimes–along the lines of the “understanding” were so long required to show to the “revolutionary Third World”?
Relic says
“pressure from the public was required to make Doug Ford refer to the incident as a terrorist attack.”
Ford Nation a place to grow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teME3jZUfwU
Relic says
Did Tom Brady predict the Super Bowl on Manning Brothers MNF? “our defence is like dog chasing a car”
David Foot says
If you go to a country with which you agree and want to “fit in” and adapt and to feel part of you will not find “anti anything violence” that is the case of even Argentinians coming to England in 1983 lets say with guns still smoking in the South Atlantic! Same for Japanese, Chinese and you name it.
The Moslems are different, they are not immigrants, they are invaders. That difference is all important and must be understood. Moslems come with the law which the host WILL obey under pain of death (UK example Batley teacher, France Samuel Paty), there is no freedom of speech or sovereignty of the law except for the superior Moslem culture and the overriding Moslem law, so Moslems are bound to be hated by many, they ruin and infest countries with their ideology filled with hate against non Moslems (as Sharia = Quran + Sunnah + Hadith demands) a hateful Imperialist ideology intent on world domination, against democracy, Moslems are different, they come to invade! To take control.
To be happy, Moslems should only go to Moslem countries if Islam is so good, they shouldn’t even think of going anywhere else, but we all know that is not the case, Islam is a total VIIth century failure and even Moslems cling to planes to get away from an Afghanistan and the application of a pure form of Islam, and can you blame them? It would be nice if Moslems left their hateful culture at the door before entering.
mortimer says
Robert Spencer’s insight is exact: “Muslims are freer and safer in Canada than they are in many majority-Muslim countries. ”
And that is what many Muslims will tell you in their honest moments. They can practice Islam any way they like in Western countries … unlike in the Muslim-majority countries which practice discrimination against ‘the wrong kind’ of Muslims.