Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
Religion has the power to both unite and divide people and sometimes a few bad apples are enough to ruin our perceptions of certain groups. One religion, in particular, is used to getting a bad rap - Islam. Islamophobes focus on those who have gone on the radical path, which has resulted in violence against others, but one Muslim educator is trying to change all that with his messages of peace on Twitter.
Imam Mohammad Tawhidi rose to fame in Australian media back in 2016 as the voice for Muslim reform and combatting against the spread of extremists in his religion. "When I am worried about what I see is happening from my community and religion, trust me that there is something going on," he told the Seven Network's Today Tonight program on February 27, 2017. Since then he has used Twitter to not just talk about his own religion but shout out love and support for members of other groups. There have been disputes over Tawhidi's educational qualifications as an Imam, and his past ideologies, however as of now it appears he wants to use his platform for positivity.
This post may include affiliate links.
RELATED:
#3
Russian Otaku 6 years ago
How convenient that christianity with more extremists then all other religions put together never has any extremists because gotta love hypocrisy
Amberly Middlemiss 6 years ago
as usual people still trying to attack a religion when that's the exact opposite of what these posts are about. Christianity has no more extremists than any other religion.
Load More Replies...
Ann Abdelzaher 6 years ago
This! it drives me nuts that people are so Islamophobic when in reality EVERY religion has its extremests!
Feminist Percussionist 3 years ago
Blaming all Muslims for 9/11 is like blaming all Christians for the Holocaust (but more present day)
Teresa Taylor 6 years ago
YES!!! EVANGELICALS, I believe he’s talking to you. PRO-LIFE protestors, try on your new label. Extremists are anyone that infringes upon and attempts to force their beliefs upon others. Extremists don’t necessarily need to use violence to do their work, they just need to be adamant that their beliefs and opinions are the only right ones. Sound familiar?
Neill Powell 6 years ago
I would add though. I would prefer extremist atheists. "Bombing" schools, and churches with Science textbooks and logic papers; that would be something to see!
trix 6 years ago
Yas, slap them ignorant bitches in the face with science books!
Load More Replies...
Delilah Jones 6 years ago
This is especially true for those Muslim organizations masquerading in the West as "honest, good organizations supportive of democracy" but fail to condemn terrorism and when you dig into their records, you find they support terrorist groups instead. CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood, etc.. Or even individuals like Ilhan Omar. The only people she is fooling into thinking she's a good Muslim are the idiots out there. She certainly isn't as awesome as this guy!
#9
Judy Petraroi 6 years ago
I’m so glad I found you on Twitter. You are a voice of reason in this insane world. Thank you.
#13
Blakkur Sverrir 6 years ago
THIS is how the muslims I used to know are. Long before Isis. And this is why I (christian raised, now atheist) still defend muslims when someone around me talks bad about them... And why it hurts so much when some muslims proof me wrong.
#14
Amberly Middlemiss 6 years ago
wish I could upvote this more. People ignore true homophobia to get offended about the smaller things. I'm bisexual, and dont really care about a comedians jokes. This is what deserves out attention.
#16
#23
Constantin George-Florin 6 years ago
I'm thinking Salman Rushdie, light version. He's got balls, but them balls are in danger...
#24
#25
#26
btaglln 6 years ago
I fully agree with this. I think a world where everyone is living is own thing in the same place is a dream that will never come true. We have, in french a saying (i don't know if it is in english too) "My freedom is stopped where the freedom of others begins" Some (I'm not saying all) Muslim, Sikh, Jewish etc way of life are not compatible with the modern european society. And the reverse is also 100% true. Everyone should try to live by his rules, as long as it doesn't break the rules where he is and as long as he doesn't try to force his rules on other.
#27
Gipsy Kings fan 6 years ago
WHAT A GREAT MAN! A true voice for peace, love and understanding among all people, and against hypocrisy and hatred. I'm not on Twitter, but I do browse the Internet every day; I'm shocked and saddened that I had never heard of Imam Tawhidi. He should be a lot more famous. He and his messages of truth should be spread all over the world. If he's well-known on Twitter, the mainstream media must have heard about him. It looks like they've CHOSEN to ignore him, because they'd rather publicize negative stories. It's the old saying in journalism: "If it bleeds, it leads."
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Foxxy 6 years ago (edited)
And this is why society shouldn’t condemn all muslims because of the radical extremists. The terrorists may claim they are Muslim but terrorism has no religion.
sh 6 years ago
This is why no one belonging to any group should be condemned because of the actions of a few who also belong to it... insert any race, religion, political affiliation, etc.
Load More Replies...
Amberly Middlemiss 6 years ago
refreshing to see a post on Bored Panda that for once isn't trying to throw conservatives in as bad a light as possible. Huge respect for this guy.
Full Name 6 years ago
I'm refreshingly impressed that people didn't downvote the s**t out of you for not wanting to throw half of the political spectrum in the garbage. Around these here parts not hating conservatives is heresy.
Load More Replies...
Agnes Pethes 6 years ago
My mom, who's a Catholic this year went to a Ramadan celebration with Jewish and Christian friends. She's in a tiny Catholic community that usually participates big Jewish holidays, where a rabbi has a talk about the origin and meaning of the given tradition that they participate. This year they decided to extend this educational process to Islam. Three different religions were sitting together in peace and joy. They learned about each other's background, had nice conversations and laughs. This seems the easiest and most fun way to learn, understand and accept each other.
Rall 6 years ago
My grandma's village is 2/3 muslims and 1/3 christians and they celebrate all hollidays together for years. My country is with very mixed population - ortodox and catolic christians, muslims, jews and only politicians try to separate them for their own profit. Centuries we lived all in peace.
Load More Replies...
Magpie 6 years ago
Does anyone remember "the troubles" in Ireland? to my understanding; catholic and protestant christian rabid-fanatic-terrorists blew each other up. Now that's just boring old history and-it-was-only-a-few-mad-terrorists. long pause. Let this "muslim" / muslimphobia c**p be over soon. And sent to moldy oldy history books.________ quote marks because it is not proper Muslims doing horrible stupid things.
Delilah Jones 6 years ago
The scale on which these "troubles" happened is very different. Not only in the number of perpetrators involved, but also the number of perpetrating countries and the extent of the damage it's members have caused in other non-Islamic countries that they have migrated to. You comparing Ireland to Islam is like comparing an oopsie milk spill to a nuclear bomb going off.
Load More Replies...
William Teach 6 years ago
Few are saying all Muslims are extremists. Because they aren't. But, studies show that over 1% are violent extremists. That means over 16 million worldwide. Other studies show that 10-25% believe in extremist values. Do the math on 1.6 billion Muslims. In some nations, survey's show up to 45% hold extremist values. The problem is that these extremists keep spreading and growing, especially via the Internet, radical schools and mosques, and radical Islamic clerics and imams. But, not all are radical, let's be clear.
Amr Mohamed 6 years ago
First, I very much appreciate your comment that not all Muslims are radical. Thank you. second yes, I won't disagree that Islamic extremism is spreading and it is a problem. But let's also be clear, there is growing religious extremism in many religions. There are extremist Christians, Jews, even Buddhists (check out Burma/Myanmar). They are armed, violent, and spreading their poisonous ideologies via the internet, religious places of worship, as well as small schools especially in rural areas. We need to work together to fight all forms of extremism.
Load More Replies...
Judy Petraroi 6 years ago
Followed him on Twitter a year ago. He’s one of the most amazing people I follow. Humble and proud, soft but strong. I wish my fellow Christians were as intellectually and morally consistent!
John Smith 6 years ago
For all those wishing to conflate Islam with Christianity: ISLAM STILL HAS HAD NO REFORMATION! There are no modern Christians killing in the name of Jesus Christ. But there are thousands of militant Islamists killing in the name of Allah. WAKE UP! Islam IS the problem.
Load More Replies...
Biljana Malesevic 6 years ago
He is right in every single post. But extremism can be found everywhere, and never ever is any country, nation or religion "all evil". Whenever I hear "Muslim do this" or "Iraq/Iran/Serbia did that", I feel that is so wrong, to condemn all nation or religion based on group of extremists.
Kaisu 6 years ago
Exactly, extremists can be found in every religion and in every country, but they cannot be used to represent an entire religion or nation.
Load More Replies...
Christina Ciccarelli 6 years ago
This article is so full of s**t, Iman Tawhidi is awesome, and I follow him on every social media platform he is on, however, he is not about challenging Islamophobes, in fact he makes fun of the term. He is about telling the truth about Islam and the radical extremists and trying to reform Muslim society. Reading this article about one of my personal heros made me pretty angry.
Ruth Beaty 6 years ago
Now this guy makes sense, too bad more people, whatever they believe aren't like him.
Shireen 6 years ago
I wish more religious leaders were like this guy... the reason I don't like religon is because they force their ideology on people and judge you when you say you don't want to be apart of it. We don't have to be apart of a religion to be a decent / honest human being. Social media platforms and world wide media need to stop spreading terrorist propaganda - it shouldn't be one rule for us and one rule for them.
Cathy Price 6 years ago
I am a 64 yo, card carrying Catholic, female. Not a bible thumper. I love most everything about my religion. But I also love to sit and learn about other religions. I don't try to convert anyone, I just find it interesting to listen about other religions. I also had a serious relationship with a Jew, much to my parents disappointment. People should be able to practice whatever religion they wish. I am not on this Earth to judge. it is not my job. As has been said over and over, terrorism has no religion.
John Louis 6 years ago
Please explain: Islam is against the west and the west is against Islam. Is he satirizing this belief or does he uphold it? If he is upholding it, what is the basis for this?
Jess Smith 1 year ago
I know I'm late, but I need to say this. Mohamad Tawhidi is dangerous. He's associated with the far right (theintercept.com/2019/06/25/mohamad-tawhidi-far-right/), & according to some theories he isn't as peaceful, more promoting Shia Islam over Sunni Islam by defaming Islam as a whole. He has no real support from the Muslim community (abc.net.au/news/2017-06-23/imam-tawhidi-the-problem-with-the-medias-favourite-muslim/8643726), lied (ibid) & associated with a man who argued it's ok to marry 10-year-old girls (ibid). More detail on him can be found at abc.net.au/listen/programs/backgroundbriefing/8643794 & abc.net.au/religion/welcome-to-the-weird-world-of-australias-fake-sheikh-mohammad-ta/10095874. According to Wikipedia *not necessarily reliable* (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Tawhidi) he argued that Syria, Egypt, Lebanon Jordan & Palestine ought to be Jewish land, which is absurd. And yes, I'm Jewish. Stop celebrating him, please.
Jacob Maziarz 6 years ago
I like this guy. While I disagree with his religious choices, I feel like I could have a civil conversation - even sit down at a meal - with him, and we could discuss our different faiths, coming to an agreement to disagree on things. I can see an easy friendship with a guy like this, one where we jokingly try to convert each other year after year. I know a lot of Christians will brand me a heretic for saying this, but this guy's more Christian than a lot of Christians I know, and he's a Muslim.
Nirity 6 years ago
All religions at first convince you how peaceful they are, it's all about love... later starts minor restrictions, then more and more, when the hate starts to emerge it's one of those two: too late to realize or works as a wake up call. Religions stops progress, cause fear, hate and blind obedience, keeps ppl dumb
Delilah Jones 6 years ago
I commend this Muslim man for fighting against the worst parts of Islam. But sadly, he is not in the majority. It will take more than just him to fight against the barbaric theocracy of Islam and it's members trying to spread the worst parts of their ideology every where else - especially the idea that there should be no separation of religion and state and Shariah should rule. An even better Muslim, and possibly one he should team up with, is the leader of AIFD, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser.
Petra Christovová 6 years ago
I agree .. what he says is great, but how many imams speak like this? Not much. I live in czech republic and when I hear some local muslim organisations leaders I feel like puking - horrid bunch of shady and close-minded characters.
Load More Replies... Delilah Jones 6 years ago
"and sometimes a few bad apples are enough to ruin our perceptions of certain groups." Let's get our facts straight. Islamophobia is an irrational fear of Islam. Irrational being the key word here. In the Muslim world, there is no separation of religion and state. The theocracy of Islam rules. Thanks to this it is not "a few bad apples". We have 100s upon 1000s of entire populations of people who are Muslim because they are not allowed to be anything else; who oppress, do violence, and kill others because it is legally allowed. And when those Muslims move from their theocratic countries into our democratic ones, they often bring their violence and oppressive beliefs with them because they have been used to a system where it is legal & they gain reinforcement by attending Mosques in Western countries that perpetuate this ideology. So it is not irrational to be fearful, distrustful, or to dislike Muslims. There is no other religion committing religiously rooted crimes except them.
Amr Mohamed 6 years ago
Delilah, I can only think of maybe 3 or so countries where being anything but Muslim is not allowed. And I disagree with those countries. There are Christians and Jews all over North Africa and the Middle East. Did you know that in Egypt, you can find many churches built across the street from a Mosque? There are other societal problems that do lead up to many people to leave Islam if they so choose. Those should be addressed. But when you go as far as making a statement of saying 100s of 1000s of populations are this way and then go further to say that they move to the Western counties and bring their violence with them, then go even further to say that this violent mentality is reinforced in Mosques, we are going to need some proof. Have you even visited a Mosque? Nearly everyone who has done so has had a positive view of Muslims. Please consider looking up your local Mosque and pay them a visit. If you still feel that they promote violence, then I'll bash them online with you =).
Load More Replies...
Mackenzie Nelson 5 years ago
....do....do you realize how stupid you sound?
Load More Replies... Foxxy 6 years ago (edited)
And this is why society shouldn’t condemn all muslims because of the radical extremists. The terrorists may claim they are Muslim but terrorism has no religion.
sh 6 years ago
This is why no one belonging to any group should be condemned because of the actions of a few who also belong to it... insert any race, religion, political affiliation, etc.
Load More Replies... Amberly Middlemiss 6 years ago
refreshing to see a post on Bored Panda that for once isn't trying to throw conservatives in as bad a light as possible. Huge respect for this guy.
Full Name 6 years ago
I'm refreshingly impressed that people didn't downvote the s**t out of you for not wanting to throw half of the political spectrum in the garbage. Around these here parts not hating conservatives is heresy.
Load More Replies... Agnes Pethes 6 years ago
My mom, who's a Catholic this year went to a Ramadan celebration with Jewish and Christian friends. She's in a tiny Catholic community that usually participates big Jewish holidays, where a rabbi has a talk about the origin and meaning of the given tradition that they participate. This year they decided to extend this educational process to Islam. Three different religions were sitting together in peace and joy. They learned about each other's background, had nice conversations and laughs. This seems the easiest and most fun way to learn, understand and accept each other.
Rall 6 years ago
My grandma's village is 2/3 muslims and 1/3 christians and they celebrate all hollidays together for years. My country is with very mixed population - ortodox and catolic christians, muslims, jews and only politicians try to separate them for their own profit. Centuries we lived all in peace.
Load More Replies... Magpie 6 years ago
Does anyone remember "the troubles" in Ireland? to my understanding; catholic and protestant christian rabid-fanatic-terrorists blew each other up. Now that's just boring old history and-it-was-only-a-few-mad-terrorists. long pause. Let this "muslim" / muslimphobia c**p be over soon. And sent to moldy oldy history books.________ quote marks because it is not proper Muslims doing horrible stupid things.
Delilah Jones 6 years ago
The scale on which these "troubles" happened is very different. Not only in the number of perpetrators involved, but also the number of perpetrating countries and the extent of the damage it's members have caused in other non-Islamic countries that they have migrated to. You comparing Ireland to Islam is like comparing an oopsie milk spill to a nuclear bomb going off.
Load More Replies... William Teach 6 years ago
Few are saying all Muslims are extremists. Because they aren't. But, studies show that over 1% are violent extremists. That means over 16 million worldwide. Other studies show that 10-25% believe in extremist values. Do the math on 1.6 billion Muslims. In some nations, survey's show up to 45% hold extremist values. The problem is that these extremists keep spreading and growing, especially via the Internet, radical schools and mosques, and radical Islamic clerics and imams. But, not all are radical, let's be clear.
Amr Mohamed 6 years ago
First, I very much appreciate your comment that not all Muslims are radical. Thank you. second yes, I won't disagree that Islamic extremism is spreading and it is a problem. But let's also be clear, there is growing religious extremism in many religions. There are extremist Christians, Jews, even Buddhists (check out Burma/Myanmar). They are armed, violent, and spreading their poisonous ideologies via the internet, religious places of worship, as well as small schools especially in rural areas. We need to work together to fight all forms of extremism.
Load More Replies... Judy Petraroi 6 years ago
Followed him on Twitter a year ago. He’s one of the most amazing people I follow. Humble and proud, soft but strong. I wish my fellow Christians were as intellectually and morally consistent!
John Smith 6 years ago
For all those wishing to conflate Islam with Christianity: ISLAM STILL HAS HAD NO REFORMATION! There are no modern Christians killing in the name of Jesus Christ. But there are thousands of militant Islamists killing in the name of Allah. WAKE UP! Islam IS the problem.
Load More Replies... Biljana Malesevic 6 years ago
He is right in every single post. But extremism can be found everywhere, and never ever is any country, nation or religion "all evil". Whenever I hear "Muslim do this" or "Iraq/Iran/Serbia did that", I feel that is so wrong, to condemn all nation or religion based on group of extremists.
Kaisu 6 years ago
Exactly, extremists can be found in every religion and in every country, but they cannot be used to represent an entire religion or nation.
Load More Replies... Christina Ciccarelli 6 years ago
This article is so full of s**t, Iman Tawhidi is awesome, and I follow him on every social media platform he is on, however, he is not about challenging Islamophobes, in fact he makes fun of the term. He is about telling the truth about Islam and the radical extremists and trying to reform Muslim society. Reading this article about one of my personal heros made me pretty angry.
Ruth Beaty 6 years ago
Now this guy makes sense, too bad more people, whatever they believe aren't like him.
Shireen 6 years ago
I wish more religious leaders were like this guy... the reason I don't like religon is because they force their ideology on people and judge you when you say you don't want to be apart of it. We don't have to be apart of a religion to be a decent / honest human being. Social media platforms and world wide media need to stop spreading terrorist propaganda - it shouldn't be one rule for us and one rule for them.
Cathy Price 6 years ago
I am a 64 yo, card carrying Catholic, female. Not a bible thumper. I love most everything about my religion. But I also love to sit and learn about other religions. I don't try to convert anyone, I just find it interesting to listen about other religions. I also had a serious relationship with a Jew, much to my parents disappointment. People should be able to practice whatever religion they wish. I am not on this Earth to judge. it is not my job. As has been said over and over, terrorism has no religion.
John Louis 6 years ago
Please explain: Islam is against the west and the west is against Islam. Is he satirizing this belief or does he uphold it? If he is upholding it, what is the basis for this?
Jess Smith 1 year ago
I know I'm late, but I need to say this. Mohamad Tawhidi is dangerous. He's associated with the far right (theintercept.com/2019/06/25/mohamad-tawhidi-far-right/), & according to some theories he isn't as peaceful, more promoting Shia Islam over Sunni Islam by defaming Islam as a whole. He has no real support from the Muslim community (abc.net.au/news/2017-06-23/imam-tawhidi-the-problem-with-the-medias-favourite-muslim/8643726), lied (ibid) & associated with a man who argued it's ok to marry 10-year-old girls (ibid). More detail on him can be found at abc.net.au/listen/programs/backgroundbriefing/8643794 & abc.net.au/religion/welcome-to-the-weird-world-of-australias-fake-sheikh-mohammad-ta/10095874. According to Wikipedia *not necessarily reliable* (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Tawhidi) he argued that Syria, Egypt, Lebanon Jordan & Palestine ought to be Jewish land, which is absurd. And yes, I'm Jewish. Stop celebrating him, please.
Jacob Maziarz 6 years ago
I like this guy. While I disagree with his religious choices, I feel like I could have a civil conversation - even sit down at a meal - with him, and we could discuss our different faiths, coming to an agreement to disagree on things. I can see an easy friendship with a guy like this, one where we jokingly try to convert each other year after year. I know a lot of Christians will brand me a heretic for saying this, but this guy's more Christian than a lot of Christians I know, and he's a Muslim.
Nirity 6 years ago
All religions at first convince you how peaceful they are, it's all about love... later starts minor restrictions, then more and more, when the hate starts to emerge it's one of those two: too late to realize or works as a wake up call. Religions stops progress, cause fear, hate and blind obedience, keeps ppl dumb
Delilah Jones 6 years ago
I commend this Muslim man for fighting against the worst parts of Islam. But sadly, he is not in the majority. It will take more than just him to fight against the barbaric theocracy of Islam and it's members trying to spread the worst parts of their ideology every where else - especially the idea that there should be no separation of religion and state and Shariah should rule. An even better Muslim, and possibly one he should team up with, is the leader of AIFD, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser.
Petra Christovová 6 years ago
I agree .. what he says is great, but how many imams speak like this? Not much. I live in czech republic and when I hear some local muslim organisations leaders I feel like puking - horrid bunch of shady and close-minded characters.
Load More Replies... Delilah Jones 6 years ago
"and sometimes a few bad apples are enough to ruin our perceptions of certain groups." Let's get our facts straight. Islamophobia is an irrational fear of Islam. Irrational being the key word here. In the Muslim world, there is no separation of religion and state. The theocracy of Islam rules. Thanks to this it is not "a few bad apples". We have 100s upon 1000s of entire populations of people who are Muslim because they are not allowed to be anything else; who oppress, do violence, and kill others because it is legally allowed. And when those Muslims move from their theocratic countries into our democratic ones, they often bring their violence and oppressive beliefs with them because they have been used to a system where it is legal & they gain reinforcement by attending Mosques in Western countries that perpetuate this ideology. So it is not irrational to be fearful, distrustful, or to dislike Muslims. There is no other religion committing religiously rooted crimes except them.
Amr Mohamed 6 years ago
Delilah, I can only think of maybe 3 or so countries where being anything but Muslim is not allowed. And I disagree with those countries. There are Christians and Jews all over North Africa and the Middle East. Did you know that in Egypt, you can find many churches built across the street from a Mosque? There are other societal problems that do lead up to many people to leave Islam if they so choose. Those should be addressed. But when you go as far as making a statement of saying 100s of 1000s of populations are this way and then go further to say that they move to the Western counties and bring their violence with them, then go even further to say that this violent mentality is reinforced in Mosques, we are going to need some proof. Have you even visited a Mosque? Nearly everyone who has done so has had a positive view of Muslims. Please consider looking up your local Mosque and pay them a visit. If you still feel that they promote violence, then I'll bash them online with you =).
Load More Replies... Mackenzie Nelson 5 years ago
....do....do you realize how stupid you sound?
Load More Replies...
Related on Bored Panda
