Why Do Muslims Hate Whites? An Examination of the Cultural and Religious Tensions
By Bobby Darvish
Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
Growing up in Iran and later becoming a prominent figure in the Muslim community in the United States, I was always surrounded by a narrative that portrayed the West as the enemy, a force of oppression and imperialism. This worldview was not only deeply rooted in my upbringing but was also reinforced by the institutions I worked for, including CAIR-Columbus and the Muslim Forum of Utah. It wasn’t until my personal conversion to Christianity that I began to see the deep ideological and theological roots behind this animosity toward white-majority nations.
The Historical and Theological Roots of Hatred
The roots of Muslim hostility towards whites, particularly in the context of white-majority nations, go back centuries. From the Crusades to colonialism, there has been a long history of conflict between Western powers and Islamic civilizations. But more than just a reaction to historical events, this animosity is steeped in Islamic theology and the teachings of the Quran and Hadiths.
For centuries, Islamic scholars and leaders have propagated a view of the world that divides humanity into two main categories: Dar al-Islam (the House of Islam) and Dar al-Harb (the House of War). The West, particularly Europe and later America, was often placed in the latter category — the House of War — a world in which Muslims are called to fight for the expansion of Islam and the defense of their faith. This division is not simply geopolitical; it is deeply theological.
In the Quran, Allah commands Muslims to fight against non-believers, particularly those who are seen as enemies of Islam. Verses such as Surah At-Tawbah (9:29) call for the subjugation of the "People of the Book" — which includes Christians and Jews — unless they submit to Muslim rule. This ideological foundation has long fueled an adversarial relationship between the Islamic world and the West, with the latter being demonized as a "foreign" or "unholy" influence.
Western Imperialism and Islamic Resentment
Muslims in countries like Iran, Egypt, and Iraq have long viewed Western colonialism and imperialism as a source of their suffering and poverty. The British and French colonial occupations in the Middle East, coupled with American foreign policy interventions, have left a deep scar in the collective consciousness of the Muslim world. This resentment is often channeled into a hatred of not just Western governments, but also of the people who live in these "white-majority" countries.
Ironically, many of the Muslims who express this hatred live in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, where they benefit from the freedoms, prosperity, and security that these nations provide. But this hypocrisy is often ignored or dismissed in favor of a larger, more powerful narrative that paints the West as inherently evil and oppressive.
A Personal Perspective on Islamic Anti-White Sentiment
As an Iranian-American who grew up with a deep understanding of Islamic culture, I can tell you that the anti-white sentiment among many Muslims is not just the result of geopolitical events; it is rooted in a worldview that teaches the superiority of Islam over all other cultures. This view is not only pervasive in Iran, but also throughout the Muslim-majority countries of North Africa and the Middle East, and it is reinforced in the diaspora communities that continue to harbor these beliefs.
Growing up in Iran, I was taught that non-Muslims — particularly white people — were inferior. I was taught that the West was a symbol of moral decay and decadence, and that our mission as Muslims was to stand against these forces. Even in the United States, where I lived and worked as a leader within the Muslim community, I found that many Muslims I interacted with held similar views.
For instance, during my tenure as the Executive Director of CAIR-Columbus, I witnessed how the organization's rhetoric often painted the West as the "other." The narrative we were pushing was that Muslims were under attack by white, Christian, Western powers, and that we had to unite against this common enemy. The goal was not just to defend Islam, but to challenge and ultimately overthrow what we were told was an unjust system.
The Hypocrisy of Leftist Muslim Allies
In the modern political landscape, many Muslims have allied themselves with left-wing movements in the West, particularly with groups that promote social justice, racial equality, and anti-colonialism. Ironically, these alliances often position Muslims — who often harbor deep-rooted animosity towards whites — in solidarity with leftists who advocate for the very values that Islamic teachings traditionally oppose.
This coalition is built on a mutual hatred of Western hegemony and colonialism, but it ignores the fundamental contradictions within both the leftist ideology and Islamic teachings. In many ways, these alliances enable Muslims to perpetuate their anti-white sentiments while presenting themselves as the victims of a Western-dominated world.
A Global Perspective on the White Minority
It’s crucial to understand that globally, whites make up only around 15% of the world’s population. In Europe, that number drops to just 8%. Yet, in the geopolitical context, white-majority nations like the United States, Australia, and Western European countries hold significant power, influence, and wealth. This reality often exacerbates feelings of envy, resentment, and opposition among Muslim-majority nations, where many see their own political and economic struggles as a result of Western interference or dominance.
This dynamic is often played out in the rhetoric of "global jihad" or the fight against Western imperialism. But the underlying sentiment is clear: white-majority nations are seen as adversaries, both culturally and politically. This sentiment is often articulated in the rhetoric of radical Islamists, who paint a picture of an eternal struggle between Islam and the West, a struggle that is not only political but also racial and cultural.
The Path to Healing
As a former Muslim who converted to Christianity, I can say that the path to healing this animosity lies not in rejecting the West or in glorifying the supposed superiority of Islam, but in recognizing the inherent value of all people, regardless of race or religion. It is time for Muslims to confront their own biases and to seek reconciliation with the West, rather than perpetuating a cycle of hatred that has only led to conflict and division.
I have come to understand that the answer to overcoming this deep-seated hatred lies not in religious ideology, but in faith in Christ — in a belief that all people are equal in the eyes of God, regardless of their race or nationality. As a Christian conservative and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I believe that the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly the commandment to love thy neighbor, can heal the divisions that have long separated the Muslim world from the West.
Conclusion
The question of why Muslims hate whites is not a simple one. It involves centuries of history, theology, and political struggles. It is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, geopolitical realities, and racial animus that has been passed down through generations. But as I have learned through my own journey — from being a devout Muslim to a Christian conservative — the answer to overcoming these divisions lies not in hatred, but in love, understanding, and faith.
Citations:
- Al-Tawbah 9:29, Quran
- Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, "The Islamic State’s Vision of the West," The Islamic State Magazine, 2014.
- Bat Ye’or, The Dhimmi: Jews and Christians Under Islam, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2002.
- Bernard Lewis, The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years, Touchstone, 1995.
- CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), “Understanding Sharia Law,” CAIR, 2021.
- Robert Spencer, The Truth About Muhammad, Regnery Publishing, 2006.
- The Social and Economic Status of Muslims in America, Pew Research Center, 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment