Let's stand up together against hate speech

In the wake of recent unrest in different parts of Europe, several figures close to Argentina's government have once again launched attacks against Islam. Regrettably, this is not an isolated incident; hate speech against Muslims already appears to be an integral part of their ‘cultural battle.’ 

At the same time, many of us have become used to this hatred, paying no heed to its gravity. Had the same content been circulated, but referring to Christians or Jews, instead of Muslims, we would surely have witnessed a different reaction from society. 

It is worth noting that my intention in writing this is not to play the victim, nor to demand censorship as a consequence of any criticism of my faith. Quite the contrary: as an Islamic theologian, I welcome discussion surrounding the doctrines of any religion.

As a Muslim, I uphold freedom of opinion as a fundamental right, but we must not forget that every right carries certain responsibilities and standards. Freedom of expression cannot be used as an open licence to lie, insult and attack others. Given the fact that many of these individuals describe themselves as ‘libertarians,’ it is worth noting that freedom of conscience, belief and thought is the source of all freedoms. 

They are unaware that President Milei has claimed that his primary goal is to turn the country into a beacon of freedom for the world. In this regard, religious freedom is paramount to forging this ‘new’ Argentina, because Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes freedom of worship as a fundamental right for every human being, without distinction.

So, firstly, I believe that a precise and consistent distinction between hate speech and freedom of expression is the backbone of ensuring peace in a pluralistic society. Secondly, given that many of these ‘libertarians’ position themselves as ‘defenders of the West,’ it is vital to return to the motto that shaped the flourishing of Western societies: “Liberty, equality and fraternity.”

In my case, having been born in Europe and being the son of immigrants, I understand and support any political debate concerning immigration and the control over our borders. But I do not in any way support the use of this debate to attack a minority – in this case, migrants and/or Muslims – by making them the scapegoats for socio-economic problems.

And now there remains the legitimate question that is causing increasing anxiety amongst people in the West: is it possible to ensure the harmonious integration of Muslim migrants into our secular societies?

First and foremost, I would ask that we avoid the fallacy of attributing the actions of an individual or a group to a religion, simply because its members identify themselves as followers of that faith. If this were the criteria, then, given the horrific chapters of our past as humanity, no faith would be free from blemish. Therefore, every faith deserves to be defined and judged according to its own sources and original teachings.

For example, Islam is based on the revelation of the Quran, on the practical life and on the words of the Prophet Muhammad. It is worth adding here that we, as followers, are not divided into radicals and moderates simply because we follow different sources within the same faith. Islam has a single facet, and there is no such thing as ‘radical Islam,’ ‘political Islam’ or ‘moderate Islam.’ Yes, there are Muslims who hold radical and extremist views, just as there are believers of other faiths who do so. However, radicalism is not rooted in their religious identity, because ‘Islam’ literally means ‘peace’ in Arabic and condemns all forms of violence and terrorism.

 The Holy Quran makes it clear that whoever kills an innocent person is as though he had killed all of humanity. As early as the seventh century, Islam established the division of state and religion, declaring faith to be a personal matter between the individual and God. Equality – not only between men and women, but amongst all human beings – is the cornerstone of our theology. Our ‘Jihad’ is not, as many have misinterpreted, a holy war against infidels, but rather indicates towards the inner struggle against the evil that each of us carries within ourselves.

In conclusion, Islam in itself is a guarantor of peaceful coexistence and in no way hinders the integration of its followers into the West. If there are Muslims who usurp the rights of non-Muslims and threaten Western values, it is only because they reject the fundamental teachings of Islam or ignore them entirely. Such people are not only a threat to the West, but also to Islam itself and to peace throughout the world.

In short, the profound crisis we are facing as humanity requires clarity rather than ambiguity, and practical solutions rather than mere rhetoric. Perhaps for radicals and extremists, both amongst Muslims and non-Muslims, the answer lies in returning to the era of the ‘medieval Crusades’. 

Instead, as the representative of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Argentina, I extend this invitation to all moderates: I propose that, rather than dividing ourselves by attributing the reprehensible actions of a few individuals to a religion, we unite to combat together all extremist and violent ideologies that threaten our coexistence as human family.