Islam and Stereotypes

Of the major Semitic religions. Westerners know the least about Islam. Very few people, for example, understand the connections between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Why is this? First of all, many Westerners have never personally known a Muslim. Though there are millions of Muslims living in the West today, the majority live in the Middle East, Africa, and Indonesia.

Unfortunately, the gulf of ignorance surrounding Islam has led to a great deal of prejudice and stereotypes. The dictionary defines a stereotype as "a conventional and usually oversimplified conception or belief." Here are two of the most widespread misconceptions:

1. All Muslims are Arabs.

   This is not true. The Arab-speaking population is made of the countries in the Arabian Peninsula including Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Egypt, and most of North Africa. Their populations are at least 90% Muslim.

   But if you refer to the map on pages 8-9, you will notice more countries that are homes to major Muslim populations. These countries include several of the former Soviet Republic as well as India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and especially Indonesia.

   With the increasing Muslim population in the United States and throughout the world, you can see that the international Muslim community is rich in cultures and nationalities.

2. Muslims are violent and promote terrorism.

   Although there are certain fundamentalist sects which promote terrorism, and although some countries of the West have had several military conflicts with Muslim groups, the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful and consider Islam a religion of peace.

   One of the factors contributing to this stereotype is the media. Violence receives extensive media coverage, causing people to identify Islam solely with terrorism.

Extension

1. List three things you could do to help dispel Muslim stereotypes.
   1. ___________________________________________________________

   2. ___________________________________________________________

   3. ___________________________________________________________

2. Research and write a report on political conflicts which may have led to assumptions about Islam.

3. Keep a notebook by your television set. Describe the stereotypical portrayals of both Arabs and Muslims.