QUESTION: Are stereotypes towards Islam accurate?
Due to many reasons, Islam has been closely linked with many negative stereotypes. Many people believe these stereotypes to be true. Below are some common stereotypes of Islam and Muslims.
STEREOTYPES
1. Islam is closely linked to terrorism.
2. Islam is not a happy religion.
3. Muslims are mostly Arab.
4. Muslim women are oppressed, and abused.
5. Islam is a violent religion.
However, these stereotypes are in no way true.
1. Islam is not closely linked to terrorism.
-The religion itself discourages the use of violence and killing, and its preachings are those of a peaceful, tolerant nature. The principle of Jihad, which many Muslim terrorists use to their advantage, actually has two parts, mental and physical. The physical form of Jihad does not necessarily promote violence.
OPINION: Muslim terrorists that practice Jihad are manipulating it for their own goals because in actuality, Islam is a peaceful religion that discourages violence.
2. Islam is a happy religion.
-Many Muslims consider themselves as living happy and fulfilling lives, dedicated to worshipping Allah and following his words.
OPINION: Muslims should promote their practices and make it known that their religion provides happiness in their lives.
3. Muslims are not mostly Arab
-Islam is a religion prevalent all across the world. The largest Muslim country is Indonesia, home to about 13% of the world's Muslims. Pakistan and India follow with 11% and 10.9% respectively. Only about 20% of Muslims live in Arab countries.
OPINION: People believe that Muslims are mostly Arab because Saudi Arabia was the place where the religion, Islam, originated from. This is a misconception that should be corrected.
4. Muslim women are not oppressed or abused.
-Many people believe that forcing women to wear hijabs is a violation of human rights. However, Muslim women are proud of this. They view it as a cultural and religious rule they should follow, and believe that it shows their devotion to their religion as well as protecting them from the unwelcome gazes of men.
-From early Islam history, there have been female leaders. For example, after Muhammad's death, his daughter Fatimah took an active role in supporting the house and managing their finances. In as early as 1988, Pakistan became the first Muslim majority state with a female Prime Minister. In the past several decades, many Muslim majority countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Turkey have been led by women, and nearly one third of the Egyptian Parliament contains women.
OPINION: Islam is a religion that chooses its leaders based on their qualities and ability. The fact that many Muslim countries have influential female leaders shows their mindset regarding leadership roles; that they choose leaders according to ability and regardless of gender.
5. Islam is a peaceful religion.
-The teachings of the Quran discourage violence. Peace is a basic concept in Islamic thought. Islam means the peace one learns through the total submission to Islam.
OPINION: While Islam is often regarded as a violent, overly strict religion, research for this project showed otherwise.
How does Islam help solve these stereotypes?
Islam helps solve these stereotypes through the examples and dictations in the Quran. The Quran discourages violence and the harming of others, while encouraging giving to the poor, tolerance, and also peace. Terrorism is more closely linked with ideology and not religion. Whenever people think about Islam, they often only judge by their appearance, such as wearing the hijab for women and their rituals. However, they can all be contradicted. For example, Islam women face personal danger promoting moderate Islam, but they try to confront the prejudice themselves. The stereotypes that link terrorism with Islam can be solved through explanation of the Quran, which states the purpose and values of Jihad. Not only that, but other stereotypes can also be solved through real world examples and the dictations of the Quran, as states above.
STEREOTYPES
1. Islam is closely linked to terrorism.
2. Islam is not a happy religion.
3. Muslims are mostly Arab.
4. Muslim women are oppressed, and abused.
5. Islam is a violent religion.
However, these stereotypes are in no way true.
1. Islam is not closely linked to terrorism.
-The religion itself discourages the use of violence and killing, and its preachings are those of a peaceful, tolerant nature. The principle of Jihad, which many Muslim terrorists use to their advantage, actually has two parts, mental and physical. The physical form of Jihad does not necessarily promote violence.
OPINION: Muslim terrorists that practice Jihad are manipulating it for their own goals because in actuality, Islam is a peaceful religion that discourages violence.
2. Islam is a happy religion.
-Many Muslims consider themselves as living happy and fulfilling lives, dedicated to worshipping Allah and following his words.
OPINION: Muslims should promote their practices and make it known that their religion provides happiness in their lives.
3. Muslims are not mostly Arab
-Islam is a religion prevalent all across the world. The largest Muslim country is Indonesia, home to about 13% of the world's Muslims. Pakistan and India follow with 11% and 10.9% respectively. Only about 20% of Muslims live in Arab countries.
OPINION: People believe that Muslims are mostly Arab because Saudi Arabia was the place where the religion, Islam, originated from. This is a misconception that should be corrected.
4. Muslim women are not oppressed or abused.
-Many people believe that forcing women to wear hijabs is a violation of human rights. However, Muslim women are proud of this. They view it as a cultural and religious rule they should follow, and believe that it shows their devotion to their religion as well as protecting them from the unwelcome gazes of men.
-From early Islam history, there have been female leaders. For example, after Muhammad's death, his daughter Fatimah took an active role in supporting the house and managing their finances. In as early as 1988, Pakistan became the first Muslim majority state with a female Prime Minister. In the past several decades, many Muslim majority countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Turkey have been led by women, and nearly one third of the Egyptian Parliament contains women.
OPINION: Islam is a religion that chooses its leaders based on their qualities and ability. The fact that many Muslim countries have influential female leaders shows their mindset regarding leadership roles; that they choose leaders according to ability and regardless of gender.
5. Islam is a peaceful religion.
-The teachings of the Quran discourage violence. Peace is a basic concept in Islamic thought. Islam means the peace one learns through the total submission to Islam.
OPINION: While Islam is often regarded as a violent, overly strict religion, research for this project showed otherwise.
How does Islam help solve these stereotypes?
Islam helps solve these stereotypes through the examples and dictations in the Quran. The Quran discourages violence and the harming of others, while encouraging giving to the poor, tolerance, and also peace. Terrorism is more closely linked with ideology and not religion. Whenever people think about Islam, they often only judge by their appearance, such as wearing the hijab for women and their rituals. However, they can all be contradicted. For example, Islam women face personal danger promoting moderate Islam, but they try to confront the prejudice themselves. The stereotypes that link terrorism with Islam can be solved through explanation of the Quran, which states the purpose and values of Jihad. Not only that, but other stereotypes can also be solved through real world examples and the dictations of the Quran, as states above.