London is one of the most important capitals in the West. It is a melting pot of different cultures. These days, the European countries are witnessing a rise in xenophobic tendencies or should I say some unscrupulous elements who don’t have any idea how to deal with the economic crisis, which is global in nature, are hell bent on stoking ethnic tensions to shift the attention from the core issues.
Interestingly, however, Londoners recently dashed hopes of all such hatemongers with a divisive agenda by electing its first Muslim mayor. Sadiq Khan’s election as the mayor of one of the most important world capitals has been a remarkable development amid all the global gloom and doom. The people of London have set a noble example by rejecting xenophobic and Islamophobic elements and proved to the world that they value their democratic ideals the most.
Khan’s victory was celebrated worldwide. Twitter and other social media platforms were abuzz with reactions to his electoral victory. Some comments were ridiculous. People posed very strange questions like” Is he a Muslim or an atheist? Is he secular? Sunni or Shiite? What about his views on Jews?
The real question is why do we have these sectarian disputes about a Muslim man who has become the mayor of London? What is the rationale that led to the emergence of these racist, sectarian and hateful tweets?
The answer is that the more violence we see around us, the more fear we feel. Khan in his first victory speech said: “I am proud because London chose hope over fear (...) The politics of fear is not welcome in our city."
The accusations and insults are clear evidence of the fear that prevails in our society. It is reflective of our state of mind, which always distinguishes between races and ethnicity and tries to filter everything through the religious or sectarian prisms.
The story of Sadiq Khan proves hope can overcome fear, tolerance and coexistence is possible. Khan's campaign focused heavily on solving the housing problem in London. His message was how to make London a city of tolerance.
Extremism and fear are two sides of the same coin, and the only way forward is the belief in tolerance, coexistence and respect for human rights and social justice, equality and development.
Interestingly, however, Londoners recently dashed hopes of all such hatemongers with a divisive agenda by electing its first Muslim mayor. Sadiq Khan’s election as the mayor of one of the most important world capitals has been a remarkable development amid all the global gloom and doom. The people of London have set a noble example by rejecting xenophobic and Islamophobic elements and proved to the world that they value their democratic ideals the most.
Khan’s victory was celebrated worldwide. Twitter and other social media platforms were abuzz with reactions to his electoral victory. Some comments were ridiculous. People posed very strange questions like” Is he a Muslim or an atheist? Is he secular? Sunni or Shiite? What about his views on Jews?
The real question is why do we have these sectarian disputes about a Muslim man who has become the mayor of London? What is the rationale that led to the emergence of these racist, sectarian and hateful tweets?
The answer is that the more violence we see around us, the more fear we feel. Khan in his first victory speech said: “I am proud because London chose hope over fear (...) The politics of fear is not welcome in our city."
The accusations and insults are clear evidence of the fear that prevails in our society. It is reflective of our state of mind, which always distinguishes between races and ethnicity and tries to filter everything through the religious or sectarian prisms.
The story of Sadiq Khan proves hope can overcome fear, tolerance and coexistence is possible. Khan's campaign focused heavily on solving the housing problem in London. His message was how to make London a city of tolerance.
Extremism and fear are two sides of the same coin, and the only way forward is the belief in tolerance, coexistence and respect for human rights and social justice, equality and development.
