Anti-Muslim sentiment clouds Iran Deal discourse
October 13, 2015
Amid all the coverage of the recent Iran Deal and Iran-U.S. relations more generally over the past few years, there has been little attempt to understand why Iran wants to acquire a nuclear weapon. Those who wonder about this begin to ask questions the media have entirely ignored because they collectively assume that Iran’s nuclear behavior has always been abysmal. If we go deeper into the issue, though, we discover that many common preconceptions of Iran do not hold water.
The Western media, clouded by a thin veneer of anti-Islamic sentiment, remains unwilling to see the Iran issue from any perspective but their own.
Some worry that Iran wants to attack the United States. However, further research reveals this fear to be unfounded. Under the terms of the deal, 12,896 centrifuges — which are required to extract nuclear fuel — are required to be in storage. Furthermore, their uranium stockpile is to be diminished by 97 percent.
These are undoubtedly progressive steps for Iran — steps that the media has taken great pains to ignore. After all, the media reported that former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel should be “wiped off the map.” A closer look would debunk this myth with the accurate English translation of his statement in Persian, “It will not survive.” Yet the erroneous statement lives on as one of the most prevalent rumors of this century, due to the irresponsible reporting — if we can call it that — which has been done on it.
The argument seen most often in the wake of this deal is the possibility of Iran cheating on its obligations. “Do I trust the Iranians?” Hillary Clinton told supporters. “Absolutely not.” However, the International Atomic Energy Agency, as outlined in the deal, will inspect Iran’s nuclear activities at every stage, offering the international community transparency. Cheating isn’t possible without dire consequences for Iran.
Despite these readily available facts, the public is still deeply suspicious of Iran’s activities. This is largely due to the negative connotations surrounding Islam. The media’s use of the phrase “Islamic Republic” to refer to Iran is a giveaway of the rampant Islamophobia that permeates U.S. society. For example, we almost never refer to Pakistan as the “Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” Pakistan is Pakistan. Iran is Iran. But the media use the label “Islamic” to feed off the contrived fear of the religion, to gain cheap interest at the expense of good information.
Any supposedly factual opposition to the Iran deal will crumble in the face of real, unbiased facts. Someone who still feels dread should know that their dread doesn’t translate to a fear of Iran’s nuclear weaponry. It translates to a fear of Islam.
Opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, October 12 print edition. Email Pragya Gianani at [email protected].
Ryan Brown • Nov 24, 2015 at 5:53 pm
S, you said that: “Islam is just another religion, it got bad publicity because it used by people above to justify crimes.” So I’m guessing you like Islam, but you just don’t like “some” Muslims, or some Muslim countries? Nice… (sarcastically)
Asian • Nov 23, 2015 at 5:26 pm
No one dares mentions Pakistan because it probably already HAS nuclear weapons…
David M. Byer, (NYU 1980) • Oct 13, 2015 at 7:42 pm
Ms Gianani’s article represents wishful thinking. Seeing the good in something is not necessarily seeing it for what it is. There is a reason people fear Islam today. Aside from that, the means and methodology employed by Iran’s ruling elite cannot be understood in purely political terms. The religious and historical background that comprise the current Iran are equally important.
The included link http://impact-se.org/research/iran/index.html is to a study (Imperial Dreams: The Paradox of Iranian Education) I recently edited for IMPACT-SE, which monitors peace and tolerance education in school curricula. The author, Dr. Eldad Pardo, who researched textbooks used in Iranian grade school education K-12, is fluent in Persian. If you have the courage to read the study, which reports what Iran teaches in schools to its children, I think you would find that the Supreme Ruler’s intentions toward Israel and most of the Western World is neither honorable nor peaceful.
One of the most important concepts emphasized in the religious studies texts in Iran is centered around the idea of taqiya , which means dissimulation; in this context it provides the “legal permission” for those following Shia Islam to deny their faith or commit otherwise illegal or even blasphemous acts in order to save their lives or accomplish the goals of their religious beliefs. The use of such deception is explicitly derived from the examples set by Muhammed and his successors, beginning with the five methods of such deception used by the Prophet to escape from Mecca to Medina.
Thus when the Supreme Leader says Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons or will adhere to any provisions of a treaty, there is no requirement to be truthful. As long as such nuclear weapons or the circumvention of any provisions suit Iran’s goals to establish a Shia-Aryan-Imperial hegemony over the region and beyond, it is “legally permitted” and even a duty to do so under the regime. So, it’s important to view such things within the current Iranian framework of reasoning, rather than from the perspective Western geopolitical thinking.
Unfortunately, the negotiating team for the so-called “Iran-Deal” was clueless.
Shawn Hamzee • Oct 13, 2015 at 2:29 pm
I agree with you Pragya. Your view of the events are pragmatic and forward-looking. As you know, for every action there is a reaction. Iran’s nuclear program has never been a threat. It’s just portrayed as such because of politics in the Middle East and also some here in the US. Name-calling is a habit of certain leaders of governments in the Middle East. It is easy and also perhaps common for many Iranians to refer to the map with less than normal enthusiasm as is the norm in the West. You see, Iran is an ancient civilization, the first guy around the block (no matter what anybody says, this cannot be taken away) and it’s seen a lot of countries come and go including Rome, Macedonia/Greek Empire, Byzantine Empire, the early Muslim Empire, Carthage etc etc. For Iranians, the only one that left around long enough are India, China and Egypt. Everybody else is renting and not a property owner in the long run.
S • Oct 13, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Pragya,
You attempt to paint Iran as just another state. You either not familiar with Iran recent history or just ignore it. Most people see Iran as criminal state with a lot blood on their hand.
Fact – Iran supported multiple organizations that US consider terrorist starting with Hezbollah and Hamas.
Fact – Iran transferred weapons and know-how to Iraq to shea insurgents. That resulted in many 1000’s us US casualties.
Should I mention number of times when Iran state and religion officials promise to wipe out whole states from the Earth.
So far it looks ugly with out single reference to Islam.
Now, tell me the single cause among 100’s that inspires and justifies all above for so many people in Hezbollah, Hamas Bards (Iran militia), Pr. Ahmadinejad , ayatollah.
Islam is just another religion, it got bad publicity because it used by people above to justify crimes.
Arafat • Oct 13, 2015 at 9:08 am
Brilliant…It’s logic like this that would have supported allowing Hitler a nuclear weapon if he lived today.
Khameni has proven time after time that he is an insane theocrat a Muslim who believes dying in the name of Islam is sublime. He condones throwing gays off of buildings. He condones the persecution of Iran’s Bahia community. He condones the statewide killing of journalists and anyone who questions his beliefs. In short he is a maniac who should not be trusted with a water pistol much less a nuclear weapon.