The assumption that Islam is a backwards religion, whose followers are uneducated and illiterate is far too common. To the point that a Muslim is met with wide-eyes when they form coherent and eloquent sentences. The shock of knowing English is a microaggression faced by people of many ethnic backgrounds. Muslims are spread out all over the world; so why is it that even those with clear Caucasian descent, whose first language and mother tongue is English, are still doubted because of their Muslim-looking clothing or Muslim-sounding name?

Discrimination based on aural identity is increasingly common but is usually based on accents, pronunciation and grammatical errors. Measuring one’s intellectual capability by their understanding of the English language is its own issue, furthermore assuming that the cloth on someone’s head or the beard on their chin will inhibit their intelligence is even more demeaning.

Social Islamophobic biases are commonly seen in public spaces and transport. More often than not, those who are visibly Muslim are seen in a suspicious light, as a danger to safety and peace. Whether it may be people diverting their paths or choosing to stand on public transport instead of taking the only empty seat next to a Muslim.

Often, these biases are played off as ‘personal preference’ and the perpetrator may even be oblivious to what bias fuels their decisions. the motive behind one’s choices may not be clear to everyone. However, it is crystal clear to a Muslim, when people in public let their eyes linger on a backpack or the bun underneath a hijab.

Thanks to misrepresentation and false notions about Islam as oppressive and misogynistic in nature, the idea that Muslim women have, believe in and advocate for rights is a shock to many people’s systems. In fact, they are often expected to be timid, unambitious and inhibited. Having a limited understanding of a religion is one thing, but to assume the worst based on a system that is known to be corrupt and inaccurate is another.

Due to the entanglement of culture and religion, many will use laws and norms which are upheld in Muslim countries as an example of just how tyrannical Islam itself is, while completely discounting political and socio-cultural history and discourse. The double standard is clear when verses from other holy scriptures are not taken out of context and weaponised in the same manner that the Quran is.

Feminism is defined as the advocacy of women’s rights, and Islam was one of the first major world religions to introduce the rights of women in inheritance, positions of leadership, divorce and marriage. It is mass and social media deception that has tainted reality and continues to portray Islam as an ideology that is at odds with the concept of rights and respect for women.

The ease of a name depends on the effort put in by those who are trying to pronounce it. As someone who has grown up their whole life with the impression that my name is near impossible to pronounce and overall a hassle to teach, I was surprised when I realised that this comes from a place of either conscious or subconscious superiority – resulting in lack of effort.

My name is not hard, it is pronounced in the exact way it is written. There are no silent letters or sounds that are specific to the language of its origin. I spent so many years struggling with a ‘difficult’ name, that I began to settle for the mispronunciation and short forms - sometimes even opting for them myself, in the effort of minimising any inconvenience.

This sentiment is often experienced by many ethnic and religious minorities. When being seen as the ‘other’; names, customs and languages are unimportant to be learned by the majority. Interestingly enough, it is the minorities who are portrayed as uneducated and illiterate if the tables are turned.

SOCIAL SYSTEMS

Muslims are often raised and taught to expect a higher level of struggle for success in the academic, social and workplace environment. People are often denied opportunity on the basis of their image, choice of clothing, or even their name.

This systemic discrimination has taken place for several decades and continues to alter the lives of many around the world. Many are offered certain opportunities, but on the prejudicial condition that they must not “look” Muslim while on the job.

SECURITY SYSTEMS

Due to the internationally spread narrative that Muslims pose a serious safety threat wherever they go, airport security is a systemic obstacle that shows evident sentiments of Islamophobia.

Anyone with a visibly Muslim name or appearance is immediately targeted for a patdown. It is a humiliating experience to undo a Hijab and empty bags for the sake of proving innocence.

POLITICAL SYSTEMS

Insensitive remarks and hate speech by those who have political power enable an atmosphere of discrimination. A range of world leaders and those with influence have openly stated their Islamophobic views.

While they may start off as opinions, these sentiments can then infiltrate legal systems and discrimination will spread further.