Muslim News Nigeria joins the rest of the free world to mark today’s World Press Freedom Day. This occasion is yet another opportunity to call for an end to the growing Islamophobia in the world, which is fuelled primarily by biased and negative media reportage.
Muslims have become endangered species in many parts of the world, including in so-called democratic states, like never witnessed before.
Muslim lives and property are no longer sacred. Our right to practice our religion has been severally abused and denied, with no concerted effort from world leaders and international bodies like the United Nations to put an end to the intellectual, physical and economic attacks against Muslims.
Instead, what we get is disinformation and misrepresentation of Islam and Muslims in the global media. The 1.8 billion Muslims of the world now suffer for the offences committed by extremely few misguided elements in the name of Islam, the religion of peace.
There is no justifiable reason to gather every May 3 to call for the defence of journalism, especially in countries where journalists’ rights to do their jobs are under threat, without addressing the growing media bias and violent attacks against innocent Muslims.
As the world’s journalists continue to wield their pen in the defence of truth, and in the face of all anti-media elements, we hope they will continue to “Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even though it be against yourselves, our your parents, or your kind, be he rich or poor. God is a Better Protector to both (than you)”, as demanded by Allah (SWT) in Qur’an 4: 135.
On behalf of us all at Muslim News Nigeria, we wish you all a happy and peaceful World Press Freedom Day.
Rasheed Abubakar Publisher, Muslim News Nigeria
