Perception must be challenged

Sir, – It was sad but not surprising to read that acts of terrorism by Muslims receive 357% more press attention than other terrorists, as was reported in a recent study by the University of Alabama.

It is about time the media questioned the role it plays in society.

Is terrorism not another form of attention-seeking?

Terrorists are willing to die for the attention they crave.

But here we are, feeding them exactly what they are after.

Back in 2016, two years before this research came to light, the Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community astutely noted: “Publicity is the oxygen sustaining most terrorist or extremist groups”.

The media needs to drown out the voices of hate and elevate the sound of reason.

This weekend, the media has a chance to receive the answer to the question it actively or passively puts to people.

Is Islam a religion of peace or violence?

One of the biggest questions facing us is being answered by one of the largest gatherings of Muslims in Britain.

Thirty five thousand Muslims this weekend in a Hampshire farm will get together to show the true teachings of Islam.

And I am travelling from Dundee to help organise it.

But the real question is, does the media have the audacity to swim against the trends it creates and look to see if they can find the time to challenge common narratives around Muslims, for once. Adnan Shahzad.

10F Arklay Terrace, Dundee.