Islamophobia, the result of an effort to prevent the spread of Islam

Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören from Üsküdar University Institute of Sufi Studies, addressing the reasons behind the efforts to spread Islamophobia in Western societies, said, “Those who remained silent for years while their factories in other countries polluted the environment are now feigning sensitivity to people as the pollution begins to threaten their own living spaces. They continue to lull their own people by diverting attention with the fabricated story of Islamophobia to conceal this truth.” Öngören drew attention to the importance of protecting other living beings and the environment, as much as a person living in security, peace, and happiness, according to Islam.

They are diverting attention with the fabricated story of Islamophobia

Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören, Faculty Member at Üsküdar University Institute of Sufi Studies, provided information on Islamophobia, which is being attempted to spread in Western countries, and explained why Islamophobia is being tried to be kept on the agenda.

“It is not possible for a person not to be affected by the peace-giving principles of Islam”

Starting his words by stating that the fear of Islam, or Islamophobia, persistently spread by the West, is nothing new, Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören said, “In past centuries, Westerners wrote dozens of books against our Prophet, and tried to create a foundation for anti-Islam sentiments in their own countries. With the widespread use of communication tools in our age, when the message of Islam for the salvation of humanity could not be stopped, Westerners began to panic. The fact that translations of Mevlana's Masnavi were by far the best-selling works in America for a long time was not a matter that Western leaders could ignore. In my opinion, the frantic spread of Islamophobia today is the result of an effort to prevent the spread of Islam. Because it is not possible for a person not to be affected by the peace-giving principles of Islam.”

According to Islam, the protection of other living beings and the environment is also important

Reminding that Islam means peace, well-being, and salvation, Öngören said, “The advice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to ‘spread salām’ means to spread peace, well-being, and trust. One meaning of faith is ‘to feel secure’. One who believes in Allah feels secure and gives security to others. On the other hand, in the Holy Quran, it is stated for our Prophet, ‘And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.’ Our Prophet also describes himself as a ‘prophet of mercy.’ To be a mercy to the worlds means to be sent for the salvation of all existence. When it comes to Islam, it is necessary to speak not only of humans and other living beings but of the entire universe. According to Islam, the protection of other living beings and the environment is as important as a person living in security, peace, and happiness.”

“Everything in nature has been put at the service of humanity, but wastefulness is forbidden”

Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören continued his words by saying, “Just as the religion of Islam has made arrangements to ensure the dignified life of humans regardless of religion, language, and race, it has also made arrangements concerning the natural life of animals and the protection of the environment.”

“Indeed, our Prophet informed that a woman who tormented a cat would definitely be punished in the afterlife, and that a sinful woman who gave water she drew from a well with her shoe to a dog that was about to die of thirst was forgiven. He also commanded that if a person holds a sapling, even if they know that the Day of Judgment will come shortly, they should plant it. Everything in nature has been put at the service of humanity, but consuming more than needed, meaning wastefulness, is forbidden. Therefore, Islam has created a shield of protection not only for humans but also for other living beings and the environment.”

They divert attention with the fabricated story of Islamophobia to conceal the damage they cause

Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören noted that those who speak of Islamophobia, especially Westerners, do this to camouflage the damage they cause to people of different religions and races, and to the geography or environment they live in, for the sake of their own happiness and development. He also stated that they use media power for this. Öngören said, “While thousands of people are killed with cruelty and oppression, the Western media, which barely reports this, on the other hand, frames a bird drenched in oil leaked from a ship, making people feel pity, creating the perception of how sensitive they are to living beings and the environment. Those who remained silent for years while their factories in other countries polluted the environment are now feigning sensitivity to people as the pollution begins to threaten their own living spaces. Those who can drop the atomic bomb, devastating humans, animals, plants, in short, all existence when in trouble, should know that they have no right to speak about the protection of humans, animals, and the environment. But unfortunately, they continue to lull their own people by diverting attention with the fabricated story of Islamophobia to conceal this truth.” 

“We plan to conduct long-term postgraduate studies that will serve as a reference for scholars”

Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören stated that the first thing that comes to mind in this situation is for Muslims to use communication tools to convey the benevolent face of Islam, its blessed message, and its sensitivity to living beings and the environment to broad masses. He added, “However, in my opinion, presenting this issue through scientific-academic studies is even more important for its effectiveness and permanence.” Öngören concluded his words as follows:

“Therefore, at Üsküdar University Institute of Sufi Studies, we plan to conduct long-term postgraduate studies that will serve as a reference for scholars. For this, we want to utilize the vast knowledge of Sufism, which represents the intrinsic dimension of Islam. We plan to present Islam's/Sufism's perspective on humanity, regardless of race, language, or religion, and on living beings and the environment, regardless of geography. This is because Sufism has mostly dealt with the metaphysical dimension of existence, humans, animals, and the environment in its various layers, and attention has been drawn to their value most in the field of Sufism.”