Islamophobia in South America is the result of ISIS crimes: Shiite cleric from Guyana
Shiite missionary cleric in Guyana said, “The emergence of ISIS in West Asia, which sought to sow discord among Muslims and failed, led to the soaring of Islamophobia in Europe, the United States, Africa, and then in the South America. On daily bases we witness anti-Islamist propaganda and casting doubts against the Quran and Islam, and sometimes even insult the sacred things of Muslims.”
Although it has not been long since Islam arrived in South America, this religion has been become an influential trend in the societies of this region. Guyana, also officially known as the Co‑operative Republic of Guyana, with its capital in Georgetown, is a country in northeastern South America that has long been colonized by various European countries. Muslims make up 10% of the population of Guyana, and Shiites have also been able to grow in the country after the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
As in other parts of the world, there is Islamophobia in this Guyana too, and it is fueled by far right and populist politicians in South American countries.
Presenting statistics about the religious context of Guyana, Maulana Tasdiq Obeidi, of Indian origin, and one of the representatives of Al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h) International University, on the situation of Guyanese Muslims and Shiites in the country, stated, “The population of Guyana consists of 50% Christians, 38% Hindus, and 10% Muslims.”
“Currently, there are very few Shiites in Guyana - 300 families. Therefore, our focus in Shiite teachings is more on human issues and human dignity. In fact, we are more focused on unity with other religions,” Obeidi continued.
In Guyana, Shiites and Sunnis have good relations
“Currently, there is an organization in the region where all the scholars from different religions gather and discuss and exchange opinions. Fortunately, we do not face religious fanaticism in Guyana, and the Shiites are completely safe. Shiites and Sunnis have very good relations with each other and even go to each other’s mosques to pray,” stated the Shiite activist from Guyana.
“No place in the world is immune from the arrogant conspiracy of Islamophobia. Some of our friends were also taken to prison with a conspiracy and accused of supporting terrorism. This caused a wave of Islamophobia, especially against the Shiite school in Guyana,” he said, regarding Islamophobia in Guyana, confirming the existence of the phenomenon in the country and other South American countries.
“Fortunately, most people in Guyana have a high understanding of the fact that these actions are a conspiracy against Muslims. However, due to the high propaganda attack, people who are neutral or have no proper knowledge of Islam, may be affected,” Obeidi added.
“The defeat of ISIS in the Middle East, made its supporters angry. Because the supporters of ISIS had the idea to sow discord among Muslims in the Middle East to create a new Middle East as a result. This defeat led to the soaring of Islamophobia in Europe, the United States, Africa, and then in the South America. On daily bases we witness anti-Islamist propaganda and casting doubts against the Quran and Islam, and sometimes even insult the sacred things of Muslims,” stated the Shiite activist from Guyana.
“Despite what mentioned and despite all efforts of the enemies to promote Islamophobia, we see an increase in people interested in Islam. I think that eventually, contrary to expectations, this procedure will end in favor of Islam,” he added.
The tendency towards the Shiite school has increased
Regarding the future of Shiites in Guyana, this Shiite activist said, “Compared to previous years, the situation of Shiites in Guyana has improved a lot. Gradually, we see that the knowledge about the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school has increased, and people are more inclined towards the Shiite school.”
At the end, regarding the 7th General Assembly of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “This year’s General Assembly was held much more coherently and better than the one I attended 7 years ago. However, I believe that there is more room for the Assembly and conference for improvement.”
The 7th General Assembly of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly was held from September 1 to 3, 2022 at Iran International Conference Center in Tehran, with the presence of hundreds of members of the General Assembly and dignitaries from different countries.
Shiite missionary cleric in Guyana said, “The emergence of ISIS in West Asia, which sought to sow discord among Muslims and failed, led to the soaring of Islamophobia in Europe, the United States, Africa, and then in the South America. On daily bases we witness anti-Islamist propaganda and casting doubts against the Quran and Islam, and sometimes even insult the sacred things of Muslims.”
Although it has not been long since Islam arrived in South America, this religion has been become an influential trend in the societies of this region. Guyana, also officially known as the Co‑operative Republic of Guyana, with its capital in Georgetown, is a country in northeastern South America that has long been colonized by various European countries. Muslims make up 10% of the population of Guyana, and Shiites have also been able to grow in the country after the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
As in other parts of the world, there is Islamophobia in this Guyana too, and it is fueled by far right and populist politicians in South American countries.
Presenting statistics about the religious context of Guyana, Maulana Tasdiq Obeidi, of Indian origin, and one of the representatives of Al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h) International University, on the situation of Guyanese Muslims and Shiites in the country, stated, “The population of Guyana consists of 50% Christians, 38% Hindus, and 10% Muslims.”
“Currently, there are very few Shiites in Guyana - 300 families. Therefore, our focus in Shiite teachings is more on human issues and human dignity. In fact, we are more focused on unity with other religions,” Obeidi continued.
In Guyana, Shiites and Sunnis have good relations
“Currently, there is an organization in the region where all the scholars from different religions gather and discuss and exchange opinions. Fortunately, we do not face religious fanaticism in Guyana, and the Shiites are completely safe. Shiites and Sunnis have very good relations with each other and even go to each other’s mosques to pray,” stated the Shiite activist from Guyana.
“No place in the world is immune from the arrogant conspiracy of Islamophobia. Some of our friends were also taken to prison with a conspiracy and accused of supporting terrorism. This caused a wave of Islamophobia, especially against the Shiite school in Guyana,” he said, regarding Islamophobia in Guyana, confirming the existence of the phenomenon in the country and other South American countries.
“Fortunately, most people in Guyana have a high understanding of the fact that these actions are a conspiracy against Muslims. However, due to the high propaganda attack, people who are neutral or have no proper knowledge of Islam, may be affected,” Obeidi added.
“The defeat of ISIS in the Middle East, made its supporters angry. Because the supporters of ISIS had the idea to sow discord among Muslims in the Middle East to create a new Middle East as a result. This defeat led to the soaring of Islamophobia in Europe, the United States, Africa, and then in the South America. On daily bases we witness anti-Islamist propaganda and casting doubts against the Quran and Islam, and sometimes even insult the sacred things of Muslims,” stated the Shiite activist from Guyana.
“Despite what mentioned and despite all efforts of the enemies to promote Islamophobia, we see an increase in people interested in Islam. I think that eventually, contrary to expectations, this procedure will end in favor of Islam,” he added.
The tendency towards the Shiite school has increased
Regarding the future of Shiites in Guyana, this Shiite activist said, “Compared to previous years, the situation of Shiites in Guyana has improved a lot. Gradually, we see that the knowledge about the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school has increased, and people are more inclined towards the Shiite school.”
At the end, regarding the 7th General Assembly of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “This year’s General Assembly was held much more coherently and better than the one I attended 7 years ago. However, I believe that there is more room for the Assembly and conference for improvement.”
The 7th General Assembly of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly was held from September 1 to 3, 2022 at Iran International Conference Center in Tehran, with the presence of hundreds of members of the General Assembly and dignitaries from different countries.