The media distorts Islam

Submitted by Sarah Thompson (Canada), Jun 27, 2006 at 20:47

Hello dear people, how are you? More than well I hope.

The problem today is the media, and those that are trying to create a wall between Islam and everyone else. To say Muslims hate the Western Countries is going a bit overboard. I as a Muslim love America, and I love the people that live in America. Therefore, to say that Muslims hate America is giving Muslims like me and other Muslims alike an invalid description of how we are.

The media is giving a false representation of Islam either indirectly or directly. It shows Muslims as angry people, striking you with harsh words and bullets. This representation of Islam is totally false, and not only this, but the media itself gives a false representation of the Western community to the Muslims.

Majority within the Muslim community, myslef included, feel attacked by the westerns and their display of Islam as a crazy religion filled with terrorism. When Muslims see this, many of them feel as though the Western community is purposely attacking them, and the non-muslims are all rioting against them. This itself shows a misrepresentation of the Western Community to the Muslims. The Muslims now begin to have a view of Westerns as being crazy, savage people that hate Islam and hate Muslims all together. And if Muslims feel that they are being attacked, obviously they will not come out giving you hugs and kisses, why? Because when they turn on the T.V, flip through their newspapers, and scan the internet, they see the same thing: Islamic Terrorism.

The name "Islamic" Terrorism itself is hurtful and unfair. Islam does not promote terrorism and for one to title an act done by Muslims as "Islamic" terrorism , or call them "Islamic" terrorists, is equally unfair as calling someone an Atheismic terrorist, Christainic terrorist, Judaismic terrorist, etc.

If a Muslim commits an act such as rape, murder, lying, cheating, etc. Then that Muslim is not following Islam, and to say that Islam promotes this is untrue. If Muslims are truly part of the terrorist attack in Cananda, then why call it Islamic terrorists when Islam has no part in promoting terrorism!

Overall, the media has created a wall between the Muslim community and the Western community. Muslims feel that the whole Western community is attacking them, and the Western community feels that the whole Muslim community is greedy and savage. Both communities have a wrong idea of each other. The Muslims want as much peace as the West does, but to obtain that peace we have to understand each other better. Muslims need to realise that majority of the non-muslims are kind, and do not wish harm, and non-muslims have to see that Muslims are also kind, and also wish no harm. The only problem is that the people we usually see are promotting hate. We need to stop this. Telling someone their faith is idiotic ,and ignoring their views will not make things better. It is time we both know each other better....

A good book to give you an understanding on what is Islam and what a Muslim should be is The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam, second edition, by Yahiya Emerick

Peace be with all, and may Allah bring happiness into your life.

Sincerely, Sarah Thompson.

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