After a disturbing video surfaced showing a Muslim woman being physically assaulted, The Deen Show invited Ahmed Rehab, Director of CAIR Chicago, to discuss the rising tide of Islamophobia, the assault on civil liberties, and what Islam truly teaches about freedom, dignity, and justice. This episode tackled some of the most misunderstood concepts in Islam, including Shariah law, the meaning of Allah, and why hatred against Muslims ultimately stems from ignorance.
The Physical Assault on a Muslim Woman
The episode opened with footage of a Muslim woman being attacked in public, an act of physical assault fueled by hatred and the dehumanization of Muslims in a post-9/11 climate. Ahmed Rehab explained that such attacks happen because the perpetrators view Muslims as people who “don’t count for much,” a dangerous mindset created by years of media demonization and political fearmongering. Under the American Constitution, all citizens are entitled to the same rights regardless of faith, race, or gender.
“This individual obviously looks at this woman and thinks I can slap her, I can punch her, there isn’t going to be a major reaction because she doesn’t count for much. This sort of marginalization is exactly what we’re trying to fight against.”
Understanding Shariah, Allah, and the True Message of Islam
Ahmed Rehab demystified the word “Shariah,” explaining that it simply means “law” and refers to the divine guidelines that Muslims voluntarily follow. Its cornerstones are freedom, since there is no compulsion in Islam, and human dignity. He also clarified that “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for God, the same God worshipped by Jesus and Moses (peace be upon them), and that Arabic-speaking Christians also use the word Allah in their prayers and scriptures.
“Islam is the fastest growing way of life in the world. Two billion people from China to Spain to America all arrived at the same conclusion: they’re seeking peace and they found peace in Islam. That’s my story, and that’s probably the story of many Muslims watching today.”
- The first cornerstone of Islamic Shariah is freedom of choice, meaning Islam cannot be imposed on anyone, as the Quran explicitly states there is no compulsion in religion
- The word “Allah” is the Arabic term for God and is used by Arab Christians and Jews as well, not a separate deity exclusive to Muslims
- Ahmed Rehab acknowledged that some Muslims contribute to the Shariah scare by promoting rigid and forceful interpretations that do not represent scholarly consensus
- With nearly two billion followers worldwide from every culture and ethnicity, Islam’s growth is driven by people finding genuine peace and purpose, not by force or violence
