Noman writes: "'French Muslims are French. Today, at least, they should be more French than Muslim, as today the tragedy is for all of France,' Daniel Hurlin, a Parisian designer speaking about the aftermath of Friday's coordinated Islamic State terrorist attacks in Paris, which left more than 120 dead, told Mic."
A Muslim women mourns the victims of recent attacks in Paris. (photo: Getty Images)
Muslims Around the World Defend Themselves Against Islamophobia and Offer Solidarity
14 November 15
rench Muslims are French. Today, at least, they should be more French than Muslim, as today the tragedy is for all of France," Daniel Hurlin, a Parisian designer speaking about the aftermath of Friday's coordinated Islamic State terrorist attacks in Paris, which left more than 120 dead, told Mic.
Hurlin spoke of some of his friends' frustration at the media's treating Muslims as a separate contingent. There is no such thing as "Muslim solidarity" in France, he noted, because Muslims there are first and foremost French. "It's true that media here, generally speaking, haven't given much space to moderate Muslims to condemn these attacks," he added.
Social media has also functioned as the ideal forum for those wanting to categorize Muslims as "the other." Islamophobes swiftly made themselves known, blaming the religion and all of its adherents for the acts of a handful of fanatics.
Why does NO ONE say the obvious thing on TV?! It's insane. Don't want terrorism in US? Stop importing Muslims!
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) November 14, 2015
DAMN I'm pissed. Innocent people dying in Paris because the the west just can't recognize that Islam is a dirty, violent gutter religion.
— Neal Boortz (@Talkmaster) November 13, 2015
You know, it's true, Terrorism has no religion, but only 1 religion actively participates in terrorism like clockwork
— Tyler Valle (@TylerValleGGWP) November 14, 2015
Even Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front Party, one of France's largest political parties, made sure to blame Islam for the horrendous attacks. Her tweet translates as "A cold anger squeezes our heart," followed by "#IslamistTerrorism."
Une colère froide nous serre le cœur. #TerrorismeIslamiste #Fusillade MLP
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) November 14, 2015
After the attacks, the phrase "I am Muslim" went viral in the Muslim community, condemning the attacks and offering solidarity while simultaneously having to defend the religion. One handwritten letter which declares, "They [ISIS militants] are terrorists... not Muslims!" began circulating, getting retweeted by a number of Muslims.
#ParisAttacks I am Muslim and I am not terrorist pic.twitter.com/sV99piLo6a
— Tek (@mennahafez_) November 14, 2015
A miscellany of tweets and messages from Muslims emerged, reiterating a similar message:
My name is Rha. I am Muslim. I condemn this #ParisAttack . Over 1.5 billion Muslims do.
#Prayforparis pic.twitter.com/sBsNx0DnQw
— DAY6 OUTFITS (@day6_outfits) November 14, 2015
I am Muslim. I WON'T apologize for something im not responsible for. Terrorism has no religion. THIS is my religion. pic.twitter.com/qJr8o8OXhP
— ️ (@dulsetsabr) November 14, 2015
Muslims are Not Terrorist ...
Muslims Stand With Paris....
#MuslimsAreNotTerrorist
#ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/hxmBDjdzJm
— Anjum Iqbal - PTI (@AnjumIqbalPTI) November 14, 2015
Even though I'm already used to being called a terrorist,
I'm am Muslim and I am not a terrorist.
#PrayForParis pic.twitter.com/DULuBGQlqE
— Hello ◡̈ (@iziamftmalik) November 14, 2015
I am a #Muslim and I am not terrorist.
#ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/yPkumU9O3H
— MONTIEE. (@MontieeOfficial) November 14, 2015
Yes I am Muslim! :) But No, I am not a terrorist ✌️#DeenSquad pic.twitter.com/fW8axEsSdT
— Karter Zaher (@KarterZaher) November 8, 2015
I AM A MUSLIM FIRST, MALAYSIAN SECOND AND I #PRAYFORPARIS pic.twitter.com/ZrO15qXpYL
— YGZB (@OFFICIALYGSTAN) November 14, 2015
As a Muslim,I am against the Islamic State.Their actions are not taught by Islam nor by The Prophet Muhammad(ﷺ) pic.twitter.com/yK8MrhfcSY
— Razi (@StudentOfAhmad) November 14, 2015
Worst Day Of Europe
Muslim want peace and Love .
I am Muslim And Muslims Are Not Terrorist
#ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/zEJc5CxLPK
— Wallah Its :, Bunnyy (@bunnyy_khan) November 14, 2015
Farhan Khan Virk, a Muslim social and political activist based in Pakistan, has been particularly vocal about the attacks and uses social media to counter bigoted stereotypes of Islam.
One of his tweets on Islamophobia, posted in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attack in January, gained traction after Friday's attacks. "We are extremely sad at the Paris attacks and we condemn them in the most strongest words, being Pakistanis we share the same pain they do," Virk wrote to Mic.
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