Countering Islamophobia

In a post-9/11 world, where conflicts with radical terrorist groups have been a regular feature in world news, Rev. M’ellen Kennedy, in Springfield yesterday, said that people must learn about Islam, rather than fearing it.


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2017-02-06 / Front Page Countering Islamophobia Reverend calls for people to learn about religion, not fear it By CAMERON PAQUETTE cameronp@eagletimes.com Rev. M'ellen Kennedy discusses countering a fear of Islam during a service at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield on Sunday, Feb. 5. — CAMERON PAQUETTE Rev. M'ellen Kennedy discusses countering a fear of Islam during a service at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield on Sunday, Feb. 5. — CAMERON PAQUETTE SPRINGFIELD — In a post-9/11 world, where conflicts with radical terrorist groups have been a regular feature in world news, Rev. M’ellen Kennedy said that people must learn about Islam, rather than fearing it. “People are afraid of what they don’t know,” she said to a group of about 30 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield on Sunday, Feb. 5. “Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions.” Rev. Kennedy’s talk was centered on countering Islamophobia, the fear of Muslim practitioners, a talk that she has given in churches and establishments as far as Colorado. She said that the heart of Muslim teachings are about how to be a peaceful person, and that fear of Islam — particularly in this country — can only be countered by educating oneself about the religion. “It’s dizzying, what is happening in the world right now,” she said Julie Lannen, President of the First Unitarian Universalist Church. “As a liberal religion we are open to people of all ethnicities and backgrounds.” A recently-posted sign outside the front door reads “Welcome Muslim sisters and brothers! Welcome Refugees!” And a peace pole in the church’s front lawn features the statement “May peace prevail on Earth” in eight different languages. Rev. Kennedy said that in a Gallup poll conducted on Muslims, less than 1 percent agree that violence is a solution to issues. Unfortunately, the actions of that minority has tainted the perception of Muslims in the U.S., she said. “The real data doesn’t match the stereotypes,” she said. An array of religions flags and symbols can be found throughout the church’s interior, symbolizing the Unitarian Universalist belief of “search for truth and meaning” regardless of religious affiliation. Rev. Kennedy has been a minister at the church in Springfield for several years, and has researched Islam and spoke out on Islamophobia for the past seven years. She said that Islamophobia has become “an industry in this country.” Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi joins Rev. M'ellen Kennedy (background) in singing during a service at the Unitarian Universalist Church. — CAMERON PAQUETTE Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi joins Rev. M'ellen Kennedy (background) in singing during a service at the Unitarian Universalist Church. — CAMERON PAQUETTE According to a 2011 study by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, more than $40 million flowed from seven foundations over the past 10 years to spread misinformation regarding Islam as Muslims and other ethnicities have continued to grow in the United States. “This demographic shift is causing fear and panic in the hearts of some people,” Rev. Kennedy said. Rev. Kennedy’s journey countering Islamophobia began when Gainesville, Florida pastor Terry Jones announced his plan in 2010 to burn the Quran, the holy scripture of the Islamic religion. The incident sparked international controversy, and in response, Rev. Kennedy decided to hold an event in Barre, Vermont called “Let’s read the Quran instead of burning it.” “To burn it is an offense. The threat of doing that caused repercussions fueling the conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims,” Rev. Kennedy said. Countering the fear of Islam in the United States has been her cause ever since. “I didn’t chose it. It chose me,” she said. “In those seven years, the need for this work continues to grow.” A Quran, written in both Arabic and English, lay open on a table next to the podium. Several written works and films about Islam were also laid out on a table in the corner at Sunday’s service. Rev. Kennedy spoke out about misconceptions of the religion, such as Muslims treating women poorly. She pointed out that if the prophet Mohammad had not listened to his wife, Khadija, who said the words recited by Mohammad’s “unschooled mouth” would be recited for 1,000 years, Islam may not have existed. “If it weren’t for a woman, we wouldn’t have Islam today,” she said. Rev. Kennedy recalled growing up in a Catholic family, and told the story of a friend who had been disowned by her parents for marrying a Muslim man. “I was heartbroken for her,” she said. She said a number of inventions have been attributed to Muslims over the years, including the toothbrush, the syringe, surgery and the windmill. Most Muslims do not speak Arabic, as Muslims from Arab countries only count for about 20 percent of the global Muslim population, she said. Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi, a West Fairlee, Vermont resident who moved to the United States from Kuwait just under two years ago, attended Sunday’s service along with her children Dalal and James. President Donald Trump’s travel ban on seven middle-eastern countries, which was tangled in legal dispute Sunday, has meant that one of her friends is unsure of whether she can visit the country. “If anyone took a few moments to learn about the religion, it’s about peace,” she said. “The vast majority of Muslims are peaceful people. The largest number of [terror attack] victims are Muslim.” According to Al-Humaidhi, her friend, a Dubai woman who found success in advertising after obtaining her degree in the United States, was unsure of whether or not she would be able to visit the country because of her Syrian passport. Al-Humaidi attends the Unitarian Universalist church in Norwich, Vermont, and has been working with Rev. Kennedy recently to help spread the word countering Islamophobia. “There’s no success to meeting hate with hate,” she said.