In a tourist hub like Leicester Square, London, one might expect chaos, but not the kind of violence that recently shook the city. In a shocking incident on Monday 12 August, an 11-year-old Australian girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed by a 30-year-old attacker.
The tragedy was compounded by the fact that the assailant was a white terrorist, a detail often brushed under the rug by mainstream media. Yet, in a twist of fate, the hero who stepped in to save the day was a Muslim security guard named Abdullah, 29, a detail conveniently left out of the headlines by most mainstream media outlets.
The girl’s mother told how she was still in contact with the hero Abdullah, 29, who helped members of the public wrestle the attacker to the ground. She credited him with helping save her daughter’s life.
Abdullah, whose name in Arabic means “slave of Allah,” selflessly intervened, risking his life to disarm the attacker. In a world where Muslims are frequently vilified, Abdullah’s act of bravery serves as a stark contrast to the stereotypes perpetuated by certain media outlets.
The narrative, however, seemed to shift when it came to reporting this incident. Unlike the rapid association of faith and ethnicity when the perpetrators are Muslims, the media’s silence on Abdullah’s background is deafening.
This incident brings to light a disturbing trend in media representation. When riots broke out recently, the BBC and other outlets were quick to emphasize the involvement of “Asian gangs” and chants of “Allah Akbar,” yet when a Muslim saves lives, his faith is mysteriously omitted. This selective reporting fuels Islamophobia and perpetuates the false notion that Muslims are inherently violent.
The role of media in shaping public perception cannot be overstated. Edward Said’s seminal work, “Orientalism”, explores how Western media has historically depicted Muslims as the “Other,” often in a negative light. Said argues that these representations are not just innocent misinterpretations but are deeply rooted in colonial attitudes and serve to justify Western dominance over the East .
This incident is a modern-day manifestation of Said’s thesis, where the media’s silence on Abdullah’s heroism perpetuates the stereotype of the “dangerous Muslim” while ignoring the reality of Muslim contributions to society.
The hypocrisy becomes even more apparent when considering recent events where false news spread online claimed that a Muslim was responsible for another stabbing, leading to attacks on mosques. When it was later revealed that the perpetrator was not Muslim but had a Rwandan background and was a Christian, the narrative did not shift to target churches.
This selective outrage exposes a clear agenda against Islam, as noted by scholars like Jack Shaheen in his book “Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People”, which highlights the systematic portrayal of Muslims as villains in popular media .
Tommy Robinson, a notorious figure known for his anti-Islamic rhetoric, has been at the forefront of spreading hate. Even in this case, Robinson attempted to discredit Abdullah by associating him with a fake Twitter account labeled as “islamist.” This baseless accusation was quickly debunked, yet it underscores the lengths to which some individuals will go to fuel Islamophobia.
Robinson’s actions are a textbook example of what scholars like Arun Kundnani describe in “The Muslims Are Coming!” as the “Islamophobia industry” – a network of individuals and organizations profiting from the spread of fear and hatred towards Muslims .
The actions of Abdullah, however, speak louder than the hate-filled words of Islamophobes. Contrary to the misguided belief that Muslims are taught to hate non-believers, Islamic teachings emphasize the protection of all human life.
The Prophet Muhammad (s) said, “Whoever harms a non-Muslim under Muslim protection, harms me,” a hadith that illustrates the importance of justice and compassion in Islam .
Abdullah’s intervention is a living embodiment of these principles, challenging the negative stereotypes often associated with Muslims.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the biases that persist in media representation.
The heroism of Abdullah should not be overshadowed by the selective reporting that seeks to perpetuate negative stereotypes. Instead, it is high time for a more balanced and truthful portrayal of Muslims in the media.
As the world grapples with rising Islamophobia, it is essential to recognise and celebrate the contributions of Muslims like Abdullah, who exemplify the true teachings of Islam – peace, justice, and compassion for all.
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