The Modern View Of Islam

By definition, Islam is a religion of those who obey the doctrines of the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad, who in the 7th century lived in Arabia, initiated a religious movement that throughout the Middle East was supported by the Arabs. Today, not only in Middle East origins, Islam has adherents, where it is the dominant religion in all countries (Non-Arab, and Arab), but also in other parts of Africa, Asia and, of course, as well as in the United States. Those who are loyal to Islam are called Muslims. The Sunni, Shiite conflict in Iraq started long before the ruling of Saddam Hussein, but when Hussein became Prime Minister of the country the conflict between the two religious sects was taken to a new level. Right when Hussein gained full power, under his control, began years of persecution of the Shiite Muslims in the country. But, before this happened, the conflict was based upon Muhammad and who was to rule after he had died. When Muhammad had died there were many disputes on who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad after his death in 632. Shiites believed that the prophet’s son-in-law, Ali, was to be the successor. Both consider the Koran the word of God. But, devoutness and religious practice distinguish between the two sects. However, Islam teaches that all Islam is equal so Sunni and Shiite sects fight with each other not only because of “hatred” but, also because of religious

At first, the history of Islam is connected to Mohamed’s life. Mohamed was born in to a wealthy merchant Clan, which is now Saudi Arabia. On the other hand Muslims thought Islam began with God. Mohamed was raised by his uncle, because his parents and grandparents passed away. Mohamed lived the life of a Quryash Merchant then later married a girl by the name of Khadija. Mohamed started hearing voices and though he was going mad. But Khadija thought differently and told Mohamed that he was the chosen one. Mohamed searched for the true faith of Judaism and Christianity. Mohamed isolated himself in to the mountains near Mecca for retreat and mediation. Gabriel the Angel told Mohamed to recite the Koran. The Koran was only originally recited and not written down in one volume until after Mohamed’s death. This has brought controversy over the authentic composition. Mohamed’s wife was the first to convert.

Historically, the United States of America has a long history of shaping its ideology from a series of significant events that hold unspeakable brutality. This leads Americans to draw conclusions, which often leads to denouncing a particular body of people. For example, the enslavement of African Americans, the decimation of Native Americans, and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Currently, while enduring several years in the U.S., Muslim Americans face similar difficulties as a human being would. However, these hardships differ because they include U.S. discrimination triggered by 9/11, current terrorist events, and negative reinforcement from the media and the general public. Muslim Americans experience the harmful effects of terrorism because acts of terrorism influence the way the U.S. views and thinks about Muslims.

The paper notes that in the pre-9/11 America, American Muslims enjoyed the same rights that other Americans did, engaging themselves in such activities as institution-building, public work, and integration. The process of integration, however, was severely disrupted by 9/11 because many Americans unfortunately began to hold all Muslims accountable for the terrorist attack, distrusting them, discriminating against them, and subjecting them to various forms of hatred. The media played a crucial role in this endeavor, as commentators began to draw a link between Islam and extremist political beliefs.

The world after the 2001 September 11th terrorist attacks the had shifted the world towards completely shifted the attitude towards one religious group, Islam. Islam is a religion of either known from the media as religion of “peace” or a religion of “danger. The attacks in the world trade center left a devastating effect in american lives as it created a sense of vulnerability. hatred toward the Islamic religion grew as to the result of the attacks which led to changes in the world. Political reforms had been constructed to prevent any future terrorist attack from, occurring in the future. Attitudes towards Muslims had also significantly changed after 9-11 as racial profiling occurs in US borders as well a rise in hate crimes. Media organizations misrepresents the religion as a dangerous and radicalism religion. As has been noted all these changes toward the Islamic group are coming in a short amount of time, it had encouraged many to question their faiths.

September 11th holds many hard and upset feelings around the world today. The harsh actions of Muslim extremists unfortunately completely changed the way Muslims are treated, especially in the United States. These events, exacerbated islamophobia. Unfortunately, “the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, connect Muslims and Islam to terrorism within the geographical borders of the United States.” (Byng) Although it has been over a decade since the attack, many still feel racist and discriminatory attitudes towards Muslims. Muslims are the targeted minority in the United States, “the 9/11 terrorist attacks shifted the social and political context for Muslims in the United States. Terrorism within the geographical borders of the United States carried out by Muslims places an identity at the center of national and global politics.” (Byng) The blame of the horrible terrorist attacks, rather than be placed on terrorists or religious extremist, has been placed on Islam in America. After September 11th, hate crimes towards Muslims skyrocketed, “the most dramatic change noted by the report was a more than 1,600 percent increase in reported hate crimes against Muslims -- a jump from 28 hate incidents in 2000 to 481 last year.”

The book titled Muslim American Youth by Selcuk R. Sirin, he discusses the lives of Muslims surrounding the aftermath of the 9/11 and as well as the historical concept of the United States. He indicates, in general, Muslims come from different background. In this essay, I will discuss the things I appreciate about the book, the concept of labeling “others”, how some Muslims are hiding their religious affiliation, the 9/11 memorial and what should be done to neutralize people regard the issue of Islamophobia.

The most common popular opinion of Muslim Americans is formed through an uneducated understanding of Muslim life and their culture. Muslim Americans actually become a common discussion point among Americans post 9/11 due to misinformation about the events that occurred. Muslim Americans are often stereotyped with terms such as, terrorist, violent, restrictive, and more. Not only are Muslim Americans’ stereotyped often, but their citizenship is often questioned and their life style still remains a mystery to many Americans. Many Americans wonder what Muslim Americans’ place in society is, where their allegiance lies, and how exactly they are supporting America.

Today in America lies a problem that people don’t consider. For many genders, ethnic groups and races, there is a community. For Muslims, a community is non-existent. Ever since the horrors of September 11, 2001, The Middle Easterners have been targeted and stereotyped as people who are terrorists. Americans negatively stereotype Middle Eastern individuals while preaching the doctrine of “equality for all”, ultimately showing their own hypocrisy in regards to the Muslim religion.

Through political cartoons and images, America has been examined, and it has been conclusive in society that Islamophobia is prevalent. When the attack on the twin towers occurred on September 11, 2001 by Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda, America was plunged into a state of dismay. Recovery, though hard, was attained, but feelings towards Muslims became more abhorrent as people filled with trepidation feared that there may be more attacks. Islamophobia galvanized hate crimes towards Muslims, heightening tensions within America. There were book burnings, shootings in mosques, and many more repugnant hate crimes. Extremists sullied the name of Islam, and many observations were made and showed that there was an increase in stereotypes on Muslims.

Historians, specifically American historians of the 21st century have demonstrated an interest in the Middle East in Islam, due to Americans frequent contact with the Middle East in the early 1960s. Islam and the Middle East have played a remarkable role in Americans discussion and reaction to the events that took place on September 11th, 2001. During this time Americans were beginning to regard the Middle East, Muslims, and Islam as one entity. Americans and the world regarded the Middle East as Islam and Islam as the Middle East. Thus, this correlation between the two made Muslims say Muslim Americans and Muslims in America as less western and more of another, but they were also seen as untrustworthy individuals. Additionally, prior to the September 11th, attacks and an after effect of September 11, was that Muslim men were violent and Muslim women as oppressed individuals. Thus, the perception of Islamophobia and the threat it brings to western society has impacted the discussion of Islamophobia in America.

Many think that a religion starts with its main figure and very often we see that many religions get names after those important religious personas. Christianity was named after Jesus Christ, Buddhism after Buddha, etc. Very few religions carry the name independent of its “founder” and one of those is Islam. For Muslims, Islam did not begin with Prophet Muhammad but has existed since the time humanity came into being.

Islam may be the most misunderstood religion in the United States. The impression that majority of non-Muslim Americans have is usually obtained through the media which typically represent Islamic countries or groups in the middle of a Holy War. These wars are usually waged by Islamic Fundamentalist who use terrorism and other violent acts to get their messages across giving Islam a negative reputation. Because of the lack of understanding of this highly visible religion, many conflicts arise between non-Muslim Americans and the people who live in Muslim worlds. Consequently, this causes problems among our different cultures by creating various political and religious battles that

Fridays is the Muslim day of congregational worship in a Mosque. Women may worship at home or in a Mosque but men and women worship separately. The leader of the Mosque is called an Imam, or “one who leads”. The Imam is chosen by virtue of his sincerity and dedication and leads the prayers and sermons.

This survey reveals that the problem with the Islam faith is not racial: The Muslim people are welcomed, the Islam faith is not. The violence that has been perpetrated against America, whether executed or planned, has brought to fruition religious persecution not seen since the persecution of the Jews in W.W.II. This “trust no Arab” attitude has brought shame to the Constitutional intentions of freedom of religion intended by our forefathers, and has set religious tolerance back 200 years. Looking at media representation of Muslim Americans prior to 9-11, it shows religious diversity in America, depicting Muslim America as just another religious community seeking to advance and protect their interests, not unlike other Americans. After 9-11 the media portrayed representations of threat and fear, creating boundaries between Muslims and other Americans. Such depiction transforms the identity of Muslims and American religious pluralism (Byng, M. pg. 3).