ISLAMAPHOBIA PARANOIA

It's getting a little too much.

How comfortable we have all become blaming Islam and Islamists and the Middle East in general for all our problems. There are so many holes in that theory to sink my teeth into that I almost don't know where to begin.

First of all, like many other religions - Islam is everywhere. Let that fact sink in for just a little while.

It's not confined to Pakistan, Afghanistan or Al-Qaeda.

Islam is a religion right? And just like other religions (i.e Christianity), there is Islam in every continent of the world but unlike Christianity which is welcomed with almost open arms, Islam has everyone up in arms. It is considered a threat, something very strange and different.

There are Muslims in Europe, the majority may have come as immigrants but they are here.

There are Muslims in other African regions besides the northern region, take a look at Nigeria, Angola, Sudan - the populations may not be as large as Egypt or Algeria but they are there.

There are Muslims in Asia, where Islam began but not just in south or western regions that we attack on a regular basis but also in the orient - e.g. Cambodia, Brunei and Malaysia.

There are even Muslims in America, the country that seems to fear them the most.

Now I am more than aware that some horrendous things have been done in the name of Islam and/or Allah but according to history Christians weren't shy of doing the same things either, all in the name of religion.

We waste so much energy being hateful towards Muslims because of their faith, and we condemn millions because of a minority. I thought the idea wasn't to judge a book by it's cover but judging people by their actions.

As a populace we are all a little prejudice, some even racist but I thought the idea was to overcome it, not be engulfed by it.

When I am going about my day, I have better things to occupy my mind than keeping an eye on the man wearing a thobe or the woman in a hijab when on the bus or train "in case they are carrying a bomb".

It's silly, I may as well find all sorts of reasons to be fearful of different people for all sorts of reasons and become a nervous wreck.

• Have a panic attack whenever I see a soldier because you never know if they are suffering from PTSD and may just shoot everybody.
• Pee my pants whenever I see a youth in a hoodie because he's up to no good.
• Become paralysed with fear whenever I see a black guy at night because he's out to rob and rape.

Is it really necessary to persecute millions because of a select much fewer?

If that is the cause then every single one of us should be on the line, we are always to busy finding reasons to hate one another.