ISLAM IN AMERICA

Spread the word, help dismantle the misconceptions

FACTS ABOUT ISLAM

Islam is pronounced Islam not Izlam; And it is the submission to the

will of God. A Muslim is the follower of Islam faith.

Along with Judaism and Christianity, Islam is considered to be one of

the three Abrahamic religions.

“ Allah” is an Arabic word that means “ God”

Allah is not God of Muslims only. He is the God of all people and all

creation (story) Interestingly, most Arab Jews and Arab Christians

refer to God by “Allah”.

FACTS ABOUT ISLAM

Muslims neither worship Mohammed ( peace be upon him) nor

pray through him. They solely worship the unseen Creator, Allah

All Muslims are not Arab, Arabs only constitute about 20% of

Muslims worldwide. Indonesia has the largest concentration of

Muslims with over 120 million, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan are not

Arabs.

All Arabs are not Muslims, we have Coptic of Egypt who are Christian

and Arab Christian in Lebanon.

FACTS ABOUT ISLAM

Muslims pray to one direction; Kaaba situated in Mecca, Saudi

Arabia.

The Holy Qur’an was not authored by Mohammed (p). It was

authored by God, revealed to Mohammed (p) and written into

physical form by his companions.

Muslims believe in all prophets from Adam to Jesus- peace and

blessing of God be upon them-

W H A T A R E T H E M I S C O N C E P T I O N S ?

There is No God but Allah:

1- The only one God without associating him to a partner is the heart of the belief

for any Muslim.

2- Five pillars are the basic faith for a Muslim.

The confession of faith, praying, fasting during the month of Ramadan,

pilgrimage to Mecca, and charity.

3- The way Muslims pray may seem “strange or humiliating” for other people. While

praying, Muslims bow to their creator, God (story)

W H A T A R E T H E M I S C O N C E P T I O N S

Spreading the faith by the sword:

1- God says in the Holy Qu’ran , “Let there be no compulsion in

religion” and the prophet Mohammed came to teach and preach not to force

and impose Islam.

2- There is no mention of the holy war in Qur’an and the word “ Jihad”

in Arabic means the Utmost effort. The prophet Mohammed (p)

said : the greatest Jihad is the struggle of a spiritual kind, the one that keeps you

away from temptation ( from lying, killing, getting angry, stealing…)

W H A T A R E T H E M I S C O N C E P T I O N S ?

Terrorism Associated with Islam:

1- Muslims are called “ Fundamentalists, Extremists, Terrorists”

2- Western media help fuel the misconception (story)

3- The political upraise that happened in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and

Yemen is the result of many years of dictatorial ruling, it is not

because they are Islamic countries.

W H A T A R E T H E M I S C O N C E P T I O N S ?

Terrorism Associated with Islam:

1- Most violent acts and killings are caused by a minority of people

who do not represent Islam. The Qur'an states: “ Fight in the way of

Allah against those who fight against you, but begin no hostilities. Lo!

Allah loves not aggressors” (Verse 2:190).

2- Movies produced after 9/11 were all stereotyping Muslims as

violent, loud, non civilized.

W H A T A R E T H E M I S C O N C E P T I O N S ?

Perceptions of Muslim Women

- Woman is oppressed /She covers herself with veil / She has no rights….. .

- Before Islam

- In Mecca, The pagan tribe used to burry the baby girls alive because they

were source of shame and dishonor.

- Woman was sold as a slave along with animals.

W H A T A R E T H E M I S C O N C E P T I O N S ?

In Islam, the woman

- Has to dress with modesty and cover her hair

- Has equal rights and duties.

- Get to choose her husband, and keep her maiden name once

married. She can ask for divorce and leave her husband.

- Has the right to inherit and own business

- When she works, she spends her money however she wants.

EDUCATING ABOUT ISLAM

Media Bias:

- Make distinction between what Muslims do and what Islam says.

- Crimes committed by Muslims should be reported as individual

crimes.

- Offer online courses that prepare journalists to bridge the

cultural gap between the Muslim and the western worlds (story)

EDUCATING ABOUT ISLAM

Youth Education

• Encourage program exchange between the Islamic universities

overseas and the American ones( story).

• Internet as a tool can help clear the misconception, youth from

both groups can interact, inform, and learn through the internet

(Story)

EDUCATING ABOUT ISLAM

From the Muslim Community:

- Mosques can organize more interfaith discussions and lectures

about Islam.

- They can offer free Arabic courses for non Muslims students and

adults.

- Encourage enrollment of non Muslim students in Islamic Schools,

students will study the English curriculum with Arabic as a foreign

language (story).

WORKS CITED

Larry .A. Samovar. Richard E. Porter. Edwin R. McDaniel (2009).

Intercultural Communication . A Reader. 12E

Wadsworth Cengage learning .

http://www.islamondemand.com/30_facts.html

http://islamtoday.com/artshow-230-4198.htm