Discrimination against Muslims is extremely prevalent in Western society because there is a lack of education surrounding Islam. This is made worse when children are taught that certain people are ‘wrong’ for practicing their culture and religion. Early intervention can help prevent discrimination, and in turn, may discourage future generations from holding onto this sense of ethno-religious superiority. Bendahmane believes that the best tool for the future of a rapidly changing world is “education, both among Muslims and Westerners16.” While anti-bullying policies are one way to emphasize that discrimination will not be tolerated, we need something more impactful and long-lasting, such as the integration of school programs, including mandatory classes that educate youth on diversity and media bias17. Incorporating lessons on discrimination can educate people at a young age, and make them disinclined to conflate religions and cultures as a whole with acts performed by radicalist individuals18. Some examples of incorporating anti-bias training into curricula include hosting inter-faith and cross-cultural dialogues for students to teach and learn from one another, and facilitating exhibitions that showcase Islamic contributions towards society. Additionally, schools should make an effort to educate students not only on topics and history relating to their own cultures, but also those worldwide. After all, a society in which people know only about their own history and culture is one that is unable to connect with the rest of humanity. Schools could further unite communities through family-oriented events where parents and students can get to know one another, and learn about other cultures and beliefs firsthand19. Adnan Akiel, the president and founder of the Bridging Gaps Foundation — an organization that aims to bridge gaps between Muslims and non-Muslims — explains that “we have to utilize and empower the youth, because they are the ones who can relate the best with the current world20.”

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Building bridges begins with building knowledge. One of the best ways to educate ourselves and facilitate cross-cultural cooperation is through dialogue. We need to be open to having conversations — albeit sometimes difficult ones — with individuals from other communities in order to break barriers and grow beyond our preconceived notions. Four years ago I went to a Christian camp, and on the last night all of the campers went for a walk together through the forest, where we prayed under the stars, a pack of teenagers with immensely different lives from one another. But that night, we were all united by our faith, or at least our curiosity of faith. I ended up meeting a camper who told me that “Christianity just makes more sense to me,” to which I replied, “well, I feel that way about Islam.” He then asked me, “would you like to sit down and discuss Christianity and Islam?” We spent an hour exploring the two religions. I taught him what it meant for me to be a Muslim and he taught me what it meant for him to be a Christian, by discussing verses of the Quran and the Bible. That conversation never left me. Not only had I learned more about Christianity in that one night than I ever had before, but I believe that I also changed his views on Islam as well. 

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The problem was not that we had conflicting beliefs; the problem was that we had thought we had conflicting beliefs. As Akiel notes, “We are all part of one community, and in order for us to lead a life that truly benefits one another, we have to unite beyond ignorance. We want people to understand that this is a clash of ignorance, and not a clash of religion21.” 

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I encourage people to read a book about Islam, or talk to someone that you know who is Muslim. Learn and educate yourself before assuming the worst of someone who is not exactly like you, or who does not have the same views as you. Edward Said’s book entitled Covering Islam, goes into great detail on the distortions and hidden agendas of the western media coverage of the Islamic world. In addition, Jasmin Zine’s book entitled Under Siege, is another insightful read on the lived experiences of Canadian Muslim youth from the 9/11 generation and how they had to navigate “the war on terror.” These books are great starting points for those interested in learning how and when Islam became synonymous with religious hysteria and terrorism, the lived experience of Muslim youth in the post-9/11 era, and the heightened securitization discourse post- 9/11.

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The true religion of Islam does not, in fact, promote violence and terror. On the contrary, Islam fights for peace, compassion, equality, and unity. The Prophet Mohammed said in one of his Hadiths22 that, “none of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself”23. No one is a true Muslim until they know what it means to have humility and show selflessness. The leader of the Ismaili sect of Islam, His Highness the Aga Khan, preaches the importance of pluralism and diversity in a world that is constantly innovating, stating that “instead of shouting at one another, we must listen to one another — and learn from one another. As we do, one of our first lessons might well center on those powerful but often neglected chapters in history when Islamic and European cultures interacted cooperatively — constructively and creatively — to help realize some of civilization’s peak achievements24.” 

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Living in Canada, I have been privileged enough to know people of diverse backgrounds and opinions. I can personally say that there is a unique power in diversity, one that you cannot find surrounded solely by people like yourself. It is not the religion, race, gender, sexuality or class that is the root cause of societal issues; it is individuals and structures within that society. It is not Muslims who are terrorists; it is the person holding the gun. It is not a clash of religions; it is a clash of ignorance. It is time to break the barriers that false pre-conceptions have built, to fight for diversity, to educate ourselves, and to work towards ending Islamophobia and discrimination of any kind. As a result, future generations can grow up living in a world that embraces inclusivity, pluralism and diversity, where multiculturalism promotes innovation, and open discourse leads to understanding. A world where a Muslim family is no longer afraid to go to an airport, but rather excited about the journey ahead.