Biased Media reporting promotes Islamophobia

By: Saadia Malikk

Letter written in Response to: +National Post @VictorFerreira  "San Bernardino suspects’ home opened for reporters who dig through personal items"

Allowing reporters and civilians to scamper through the apartment of the San Bernardo suspects and publicly expose the photographs has numerous unavoidable and inadvertent implications. Firstly, what should have remained a functional crime scene under surveillance of the FBI and other investigative authorities has now become an idealized public “expedition” of the weapons and other possessions of the malicious San Bernardo murderers. Likewise, the images of the Quran, the poster on the wall with “Allah” written on it and various other Islamic books found in the apartment, will further increase the sentiment of Islamophobia among the general public.  For people who are already falling victim to Islamophobia and the unwarranted fear of Islam, they now have another excuse to associate these images with terrorism. Instead, we should focus our attention on the innocent victims, voicing our disapproval of American gun laws and the NRA, as well as remaining unified and informed during this truly difficult time. It is crucial for us to remain informed, impartial and cognizant as we are inundated daily with images, stories, and reports of this ongoing investigation. 

_____________________

Unity and Dialogue - Vital to Fight Terrorism

By: Saadia Malikk

Letter written in response to: +The Associated Press and +Toronto Star's report FBI investigating California mass shooting as act of terrorism

The mere thought of a well off, newly married couple with a young child, attacking a group of innocent people with rounds upon rounds of bullets, is truly unfathomable. While the true motives behind this immoral attack remain unknown, it is important for us to keep a few things a mind. Firstly, we must be cognizant of the information that is being reported by abstaining from grouping these malicious attackers into the same category as millions of Muslims who like everyone else, are extremely upset by this senseless act of violence. Instead, these attackers should be grouped with all of the other violent attackers, regardless of their faith or cultural background, who have committed similar senseless acts of violence. Secondly, we must all play an active role in voicing our opinions and denouncing the NRA and American gun laws. Lastly, we must remember that at times like these when it can be so easy to become divided, it is tremendously vital for us all to remain unified and engage in an exchange of dialogue. Without this discourse, ill-advised assumptions will be formulated, and we will end up falling victim to the irrational fears and discord that extremists ultimately thrive on.

                                                    __________________________