Martin Michaels
“The MyJihad campaign was launched to explain how we understand jihad and practice it, which is contrary to how many people in the public understand it. This is mostly because the ambassadors that they get to hear from are the bad guys on the newscasts. We are trying to put our voice out there,» Ahmed Rehab, founder of the MyJihad campaign, told Mint Press News.
In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings and shootings, some national news sources have used “jihad” as a catch-all word to describe violence and terrorism committed by Muslims. Rehab and other Muslim-Americans are coming forth with a different narrative that rejects violence and seeks to clarify the true meaning of the word as it relates to Islamic teachings.
“We reject that terrorism could ever be jihad. We believe that terrorism is antithetical to Islam itself. You can engage in defense but there is there is no holy war in our understanding. The expression of jihad is a peaceful one,” Rehab said.
For many Muslim-Americans, the climate after the attacks in Boston has resulted in an increase in hostile rhetoric against followers of Islam, including by prominent public figures and influential religious leaders.
«Sure, Islam is a religion, but at the same time it is a system of world government, and we have to recognize the two go hand in hand,» said Pat Robertson, a former Southern Baptist Minister. «Mohammed wanted to take over. They had jihad to conquer people, which they subjugated in order to establish their control. And that’s what these people are doing, but it’s horrible.” Robertson now owns the “700 Club,” a popular Christian religious television program viewed by millions around the world.
The MyJihad campaign continues the efforts of other groups in the U.S. attempting to stop the spread of hateful propaganda by sending a more peaceful message regarding Muslims in the U.S.
In late February, Muslims in New York City launched the Stop the Hate campaign, a grassroots ad campaign featuring feature images of Muslims in New York City helping deliver aid to their neighbors after Hurricane Sandy.
“It’s a service to the public and not just to ourselves. We would like for [everyone] to join the campaign. They should start using it in their own lives in a proper way — correct people by saying, ‘I believe in Jihad and I don’t believe in terrorism,’” Rehab said.