We have watched with horror at ISIS or ISIL maraudes through Iraq and Syria, killing indiscriminately. This terrorist organization beheads many of its victims, a particularly barbaric form of execution, although in the end murder is murder. The members of ISIS, including radicalized young people from Western countries, does all this in the name of Allah.
So, as we know, this means all Muslims are violent terrorists. Muslims are thugs opposed to scientific discovery and artistic endeavour. Of course these are absurd, illogical conclusions, but unfortunately drawn by many. They dismiss every person who is a Muslim and every accomplishment of Islamic religion and culture.
I thought about the stereotypes as we walked through the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto last Saturday. I wrote about the museum before, and that the leader of the Ismaili sect of Islam, the Aga Khan, had chosen Toronto as the site for this impressive tribute to Islamic art because of the tolerant and diverse society in Canada and the city. But this was our first visit since it opened in September.
We were very impressed by the art in its various forms extending back in history for twelve centuries. The main floor focusses on the past, and includes explanatory graphics and descriptions of the background of Islamic culture. There is exquisite detail in the carpets and pottery and in manuscripts, including very old illuminated Qurans. The carpet pictured above is massive, yet contains thousands of finely wrought images. On the upper floor there was a worthwhile exhibit of contemporary work by Muslim artists. The docents were friendly, helpful and obviously proud of their heritage.
In a way this museum is a partial antidote for the horrors emerging from the Middle East and the threat of terror everywhere. We can't allow this distortion of Islam on the part of fundamentalists to become our perception of the religion as a whole.
So, do we need a "class trip" to the museum and the prayer centre next door? Is it reassuring to hear a different story about Islam than those which dominate the news these days?
2 comments:
A "class trip" might be helpful ... meeting peaceful Muslims ad hearing their stories might also go a long way to fostering tolerance and encouraging friendly relationships .
I look forward to visiting this museum. Unfortunately the people that should go - won't. Not like me to be cynical but it would appear I have gone to the dark side.
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