We all know that Islamophobia is increasing in the United States. We know that because we hear political leaders (and those who want to be) talk about banning Muslims, patrolling Muslim neighborhoods, calling them all terrorists.
We know that violence against Muslims is on the rise as we read about attacks on mosques and the murders of innocent people in the streets.
More and more Americans seem to live in fear of Muslims. They’re afraid of the Holy Quran, headscarves, and white robes. Some Americans are even afraid of Arabic writing.
Last December a teacher in Virginia assigned her students to copy some Arabic script as part of a calligraphy class. The whole town went crazy, and all of the schools had to be shut down for a day so administrators could reassure people that their kids weren’t being indoctrinated by the writing exercise.
Oh, for the love of all God. Really?
What’s next, a ban on couscous?
Luckily some people aren’t willing to completely lose their minds over the threat posed by exotic writing styles. BuzzFeed reports that a Palestinian company called “Rock, Paper, Scissors Mafia” is making tote bags decorated with Arabic script. The writing says:
“This text has no other purpose than to spread terror in the hearts of those who are afraid of the Arabic language.”
You have to love it! They posted it on their Facebook page and included a link to their Shopify:
The bags were doing well in Haifa and the company was pleased. Then a Muslim journalist living in Berlin saw one of the bags on the metro. He thought it was hilarious, and posted a photo to social media.
It's crazy! I made this picin the metro, posted it and the next day it goes viral!
https://t.co/ZLHIUv3pqN— Nader Alsarras (@NaderAlsarras) August 18, 2016
I guess there is a reason to feel hopeful even in the face of such blind xenophobia. The image and Facebook post have gone viral all over the world, and the company has been inundated with orders for the bags.
I’m off to buy mine right now.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab.
