“Trump Says Muslims Are Being Killed—Then Comes the ‘But’” — Rukayat Oladele

Recently, Donald Trump leaders acknowledged that Muslims are being killed, but then immediately claim that Christians are being killed “more.

“This statement is factually wrong and a logically dangerous narrative because it acknowledges the killing of Muslims as a secondary footnote while asserting, without clear and valid proof, that Christians are the primary victims of a religious purge.

Worthy of note, is that any loss of life is a tragedy, but the accompanying claim that one faith is being “killed more” than another does more harm than perceived. It is a form of structural gaslighting made to prioritize certain lives over others and to pressure the Muslim community into a humble, grateful silence.

To suggest that Christians are being killed more often or systematically than Muslims is not only statistically inaccurate; it creates a subtle, persistent impression of a “Christian genocide”. By falsely claiming that Christians are “killed more,” the narrative implies that Muslim suffering is either less severe or somehow more “expected” due to regional instability.

We are told to be quiet because “others have it worse,” or we are expected to show gratitude when a leader mentions our dead at all, even if that mention is wrapped in a lie. This tactic serves a specific purpose: Disorientation.

When you are busy defending the fact that your people are indeed being killed in record numbers, you are too exhausted to demand justice, policy changes, or an end to the Islamophobia that often drives this violence. Hence, silence in the face of gaslighting is not a sign of “sabr” (patience); it is the surrender of the truth.When we allow political leaders to “correct” our reality with fabricated statistics, we lose our ability to hold them accountable.

We must remain vocal, not out of a desire for “victim status,” but out of a commitment to a world where a Muslim life is valued as highly as any other. Our stories are not footnotes. As Muslims, we are often pressured to stay quiet or be “grateful” for even a small mention. But here is why we must refuse to be silenced.

1. The Facts Matter: A Life is a Life Every life is precious, but we cannot allow our own dead to be pushed to the back of the line.

2. Don’t Let “Gaslighting” WorkGaslighting is when someone tries to make you doubt your own reality. When a big leader says, “Yes, Muslims are dying, but Christians have it worse,” they are sending a message. They are telling Muslims: “Don’t complain too much. Be happy we even mentioned you.” This is a strategy to stop you from asking for justice.

3. Silence Doesn’t Lead to PeaceSome might say, “Why argue? All death is bad.” All death is indeed bad, but falsehoods don’t lead to peace. When we allow the narrative of a “Christian genocide” to spread unchallenged, it fuels Islamophobia. It paints a picture where Muslims are always the “aggressors” and others are always the “victims,” even when the data shows that Muslims are frequently the ones being displaced, imprisoned, and killed in the highest numbers.

4. It is not a Competition, it is About Fairness:We aren’t looking to “win” a contest of who suffers most. We simply want the truth to be told. When a leader says Muslims are being killed but wrongly ranks that suffering as “less than,” they are being dishonest. Reasonable people should be able to care about everyone.

We can acknowledge that Christians face real persecution in some places without lying about or belittling the massive, systemic violence happening to Muslims globally. When someone says “Christians are killed more,” calmly ask them: “Based on what numbers?” The truth is our shield. Don’t let them take it away.”Is there any need to rank suffering at all? Can’t we acknowledge the tragedy of Muslim lives without making it a competition?”

The Bottom Line: Your Voice is a ShieldSilence is often mistaken for agreement. If we don’t speak up, the history books will record a version of reality that ignores our families, our children, and our martyrs. We must speak up because if we don’t, the story will be told by people who don’t like us. If we stay silent, the world will think our lives don’t matter as much.We must remain logical, calm, and firm. Our lives are not secondary, and the truth should not be up for debate. Acknowledging Muslim deaths shouldn’t come with a ‘but.’

Rukayat Oladele —KnowIslam Project