By Yogesh Manglani
In today’s world, even though we
have progressed in terms of technology and various other aspects like art and
architecture, we are still bound by our way of thinking towards certain human
beings. Whether it may be based on race, color, ethnicity or religion. Something
that is worth mentioning about is unfortunately discrimination and stereotyping
against Muslims. The first thing that often comes in one’s mind when we see or
identify a Muslim is that he is a criminal or a terrorist simply by judging him
based on his way of clothing. For example, if we see anyone on the street with
a men’s headdress or someone with a large beard, without second thoughts, the
first thing that comes in our mind is that he is a criminal/terrorist and this
is simply wrong. Even if we don’t say a word when you pass by them, a look is
more than enough to hurt them to a point where they break down emotionally.
The artwork that I am going to be
presenting is inspired by the picture shown above; that shows how calling
someone a terrorist based on their physical appearance can hurt them like a
bullet metaphorically and break them psychologically. Armando Testa, an
internationally famous Italian creative who found the biggest independent
Italian communication group, has digitally designed the picture depicted above.
I am going to be doing a painting on a canvas of size 40*60cm with the help of Mix
Media, namely, Ink and Ink colored pencils along with paintbrushes. The
type of painting that I am going to do is not a realistic one, but rather that
of an expressionistic art, something that can be depicted based on how the
viewer sees it.
The main message that I wish to
portray is to remove the stereotype that a Muslim=Terrorist. This needs to stop
for good. Just because the media chooses to show of all the wrongdoings of the
world like bombing and suicide attacks by terrorists, they become a huge
influence towards everyone watching or reading the news that Muslims in general
are to be blamed, as their religion, that is, Islam, is a religion that teaches
them to be violent and fight with anyone who disagrees with their thinking. Even
carrying this thought in our minds and spreading this false information,
discomforts people more than we imagine.
There are numerous people in the
world that want to breakdown this stereotype but are not heard or promoted
enough by the media and so the message is not reached out to the mass. Asif
Mandvi, An Indian actor, states that “I think
Islam has been hijacked by the idea that all Muslims are terrorists; that Islam
is about hate, about war, about jihad - I think that hijacks the spirituality
and beauty that exists within Islam. I believe in allowing Islam to be seen in
context and in its entirety and being judged on what it really is, not what you
think it is”. To reinforce this propaganda, the late King of Saudi Arabia,
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz says that, “Muslims are not
bloodthirsty people. Islam is a religion of peace that forbids the killing of
the innocent. Islam also accepts the Prophets, whether those prophets are
Mohammed, God's peace and blessing be upon Him, or Moses or the other prophets
of the Books.”
I am just an Indian student who was
born and raised in the heart of the Middle East, that is, Dubai. Surrounded by
Muslims literally all my life, all I have to say about them is that they walk,
talk and act like any other human being and are no different than anyone else
in whatsoever. All that I wish the world needs to know that, it really damages
someone when you call them a terrorist simply based on their looks and
religion. Just because you see some crime on television by a group of
terrorists, it is wrong to start having an alter ego towards all the Muslim
people you come across. The people, who you come across, are human beings like
you who have nothing to do with all the terrorism and anarchy taking place in
the world. All they want to do is to grow up educated and have a family and
live and be a part of the society and also contribute towards the exponential
progress of the planet. I hope my piece of artwork inspires people to spread
the message that Muslims are nothing but peace-loving people who want to be
acknowledged in the society just like the rest of us.
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