|
|
“Knowledge has two wings. Conjecture is one wing. Conjecture alone is lacking and cuts short the flight. The one-winged bird continues to struggle, hoping to reach the nest somehow with one wing. And then wisdom shows his shining face. Delivered from conjecture, the bird now spreads both wings (and soars once again).” – Mariam Hamou
Negative attitudes towards Muslims in North America have intensified within the past few years as a result of the Islamic revolution. This can also be said for the most recent terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. Sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle, these negative attitudes, expressed in the media and general public, have been felt by many Muslims in North America. Most North Americans are used to thinking of Muslims as foreigners; people who live in far off lands and dress in strange clothing, and people who ride camels all the time. That image, if it were ever true, is true no more. Today, more than 7.5 million plus Muslims live in the United States. (The Muslim Almanac) Most of them wear Western clothing, and Islam continues to be one of this country's fastest-growing religions. “More than 1,100 mosques are in the United States, with 80 percent of them built in the last 12 years.” (Weekly Reader). Stereotypes are comforting to many ignorant people; they simplify the world and create an illusion of understanding. There are problems of adjustments that confront Muslim immigrants to Canada that have been apparent.
First of all, when it comes to variables such as language, culture, and religion, Muslims bear little or no resemblance to the North American model, so to speak. In order to survive, they have to learn a new language, undergo drastic change, and assimilate themselves to a ‘new way of life’.
When it comes to religious grounds, there are many cases of non-comprehension than of tolerance and interest. This is a result of thousands of years of armed hostility or sullen truce between Islam and Christianity, and as a product of the Arab-Israeli question (mind you exists as I type this paper). Both of which lead to negative stereotyping in the media, just tune into stations such as CNN, CBS, and many others, whose coverage on issues such as the very recent Israeli takeover of Palestinian settlements, to be very Pro-Israeli. When I see that a suicide bomber who claims to be a martyr and kills several Israeli-Jews, the media jumps on this as it’s the basic Islamic way of life and thinking. The sad thing to note is that Westerners who watch these news broadcasts believe everything that is thrown out to them. These terrorists such as Bin Laden aren’t representing Islam or fighting jihad’, they are simply quoting some verses from the Qur’an and using Islam as their excuse to destroy the United States and kill innocent civilians. The Western media doesn’t relinquish the fact that this isn’t the truth, they claim and make it seem as though all Muslims are terrorists and suicide bombers since fear is a good tactic to gain higher ratings and more viewers. Many Americans and Canadians believe that Islam is anti-American, anti-Western, or supportive of terrorism. The habitual mistreatment of Muslims happens partly because unlike other religions, Islam requires believers to show their devotion outwardly. And the images of the long beards and the hijab headscarf for women that are associated with Islam can seem threatening to many Americans.
Also, Muslims in North America are discriminated against daily by the treatment they receive in their communities, employment, and even in our school systems. Our identity as Muslims is being altered constantly as a result of the bigotry we experience as we view images projected by the West in forms of movies, literature, and lastly the media. The negative media portrayal of Islam is growing larger and larger as the days pass. As a Muslim living in Canada, I feel that we are living in a country that is hostile to not only our ethnic origins, but increasingly to Islam and Muslims in general. It has been increasingly apparent of the power of Israeli lobby in the American government. Yet those who are guilty of such offensive inaccuracy when it comes to Islam are among supposed distinguished writers. Here, for example, is Clare Hollingsworth, defence correspondent of the International Herald Tribune, "Muslim fundamentalism is fast becoming the chief threat to global peace and security, as well as a cause of national and local disturbance through terrorism. It is akin to the menace posed by Nazism in the 1930s." (Stubbs 1997) This type of quote from a member of the media who has an important take on such issues, paints the image to many Westerners that ‘all’ Muslims are radical menaces to society. The American popular culture has been poisoned by the vicious racism of Hollywood and the op-ed pages of American newspapers. Arabs and Muslims have been portrayed in movies and TV in almost exclusively negative terms, as terrorists or oil sheiks. Furthermore, the North American media is concealing from the general public the reality that is taking place within the Muslim world. What Islamic movements are opposed to is the annexation and occupation of their lands as in the case of Palestine and Lebanon, the usurpation of their rights over their own natural resources as in the case of the Gulf Sheikhdoms, and the unfair criticism of Islam as often happens in the Western media, which on occasion is encouraged by local elites and writers.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
jenkins
This user has not written anything in his panorama profile yet.
|
Comments
Some comments Tara Sachs | Apr 2nd, 2004
I am really enjoyed your article and am very impressed with your writing and points of view, however there are some things that I must dissagree with you on. While I agree that a negative image of Muslims has been painted by the media over the past years, I dont believe that when they report a suicude bombing that they are nesesscarily trying to make it seem that it is the basic Muslim way of thinking. I do believe, though, that they are being ignorant to the fact that few people are aware of the different sects, fail to mention the difference between Shites and Sunnis, and who is doing what.
I also believe that it is not only the job of North Americans to 'work harder to cut short the cycle of prejudice' but everyone's job around the world to work towards a better understanding of varying cultures and religions. And as far as Muslims comming to North America and having to 'assimilate themselves tp a new way of life', that is the case for anyone arriving in a new land and is not an issue that specifically affects Muslims.
Sunnism and Shiism Ayman El Hakea | Jun 16th, 2004
As Tara has brought up the ignorance of many westerners about the difference between Sunnis and Shiites, I have to make an important statement.. Most westerners believe that Islam is just a religion, or simply a relation between the Muslim and his God. This view lacks a lot of the whole picture of Islam. Islam is-to Muslims-a complete life system, regulating spirituality, as well as worldly affairs, including state, economy, society, scientific research, literature, art, etc...
Therefore, most westerners miss the fact that Sunnism and Shiism are considered as "political" views, and not religious or spiritual views. The disagreement between Sunnis and Shiites is on whom to lead the Islamic nation, and not on the whole bill.
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
