I have concern over the prevalence of the “Islam is of the devil” T-shirts on the UF campus.
I am neither Muslim nor anti-Muslim, but a neutral third party who hopes for mutual respect. At least within our student community.
I consider it an act of aggression to wear clothing with such sweeping generalizations, and I consider the intelligence and ethics of the persons involved questionable.
In the current global scenario, I understand it is quite easy to feel insecure because of out-groups, especially if those out-groups have a number of radical fundamentalists who preach and practice violence.
In spite of this, as critical thinkers, we college students should not fall into the trap of severe and unhealthy stereotyping or resort to despicable, underhanded actions.
It makes me wonder, if we had fewer restrictions placed on us by our society, would we too resort to armed violence as a response to diversity of beliefs and opinion?
Furthermore, such comments hurt devout Muslims, who are just as good people as anyone else.
When we recall the past, we see the crusades, whose impacts are perhaps still being felt.
While Jesus taught forgiveness, acceptance and love, crusaders called themselves “Knights of Christ” and waged bloody wars motivated by greed and thirst for power — regardless of initial intent — on behalf of Christ, who symbolized everything in the world that is peaceful and good.
Just as it is unfair to judge a Christian based on the crusades, it is unfair to judge a Muslim based on a group of fundamentalists or jihadists.
Many religious or nonreligious groups have had periods in their histories that are not praiseworthy.
It is not sensible to discard or dismiss a majority based on the actions of a minority.
The word “Islam” means purity, peace or obedience, and the word “Muslim” is defined as someone who submits to the will of God.
Those who wear words such as “Islam is of the devil” simply exhibit their own lack of knowledge, especially when they are supposed to represent any religious affiliation.
I hope UF students and alumni will be torchbearers of love and enlighten the world about peaceful coexistence as well as an appreciation for diversity, rather than falling to the level of blinded religious extremists.
Let us tear down the walls that separate us from one another and help build a united world.
