What Is The Phobia Of Islam In America

Islam is a monotheistic religion with over 1.7 billion followers that spans the globe, many of the practices of a Muslim are committed daily. Devout Muslims would reject the statement ‘only those who fear punishment will treat others well.’ Because of the wish, a Muslim has to follow the lead Muhammad left as a model Muslim, as well as the connection a Muslim holds with to their core beliefs, through the Aqida al-Islam, the hadiths, Arkan al-Islam and shari’a.

Islam, a religion of people submitting to one God, seeking peace and a way of life without sin, is always misunderstood throughout the world. What some consider act of bigotry, others believe it to be the lack of education and wrong portrayal of events in media; however, one cannot not justify the so little knowledge that America and Americans have about Islam and Muslims. Historically there are have been myths, many attacks on Islam and much confusion between Islam as a religion and Middle Easter culture that is always associated with it. This paper is meant to dispel, or rather educate about the big issues that plague people’s minds with false ideas and this will only be touching the surface.

The religion of Islam has become a controversial issue in today’s 21st century. In spite of excessively negative representations by Western propaganda, increasing numbers of the population are pursuing to learn more about the wonderful religion of Islam. More frequently than not, these people are becoming more pleasantly startled by the product of their exploration. In fact, increasing numbers of people are embracing Islam nowadays then they did prior to the horrific attacks on September 11th, 2001; which evoked much attention to misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. Yet, there does endure an abundant amount of misconception and misinterpretations about Islam, frequently invigorated by political policies which reckon their interest’s to patronage Islam 's enemies. Islam is a religion which elucidates the way of life and is the second largest religion after Christianity, with approximately one-fifth of the world 's population and is currently the fastest growing religion. Muslims are existent all around the world and come from diverse nationalities, cultures and races. However, Islam instills that all people are principally equal no matter the differences (colour, class, culture, etc.) as long as they are peaceful and law-abiding citizens. The behaviour of particular erroneous groups or individuals outside mainstream Islam cannot be accredited to Islamic beliefs and practices as correspondingly hostility in North Ireland or illegal mafia activities being attributed

9/11 is known as one of the most tragic events in the history of the United States. Since World War II, America had proven its superiority and had become a progressive and powerful country. The occurrence of a terrorism group entering the country, breeching security and killing several thousands of Americans took a toll on almost everyone. Not only was the safety of the public questioned, the nation’s security legitimacy was as well. Since 9/11, many debates on American policy have been sparked. However, not only has this event had an impact on policy in America, it has had a severe impact on the public’s perception of Muslim American’s. It has been fourteen years since the attack in 2001 and Muslim Americans are still facing a terrible bias and being treated with disrespect. The American society has perceived Muslims into a single group that associates them all with terrorism (Bayraktaroglu). This is stereotype leads to a negative public perception.

The topic of this essay was one that seemed the most relevant at this given moment in time. Post 9/11, Western media became very critical of Islam and the portrayal of Muslims and the negative associations made with them has dramatically increased.

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.”

Following drastic events such as 9/11, national moral has shifted in terms of its openness towards foreign immigrants. Consequently, national security would be bolstered as more officials began to set ethics aside to allow room for prejudice and racial targeting. Just as African Americans were common targets of the early 20th century, Muslims have become the scapegoats for much of today’s issues, often being labeled as terrorists just because of their difference in looks and beliefs. It was unfair to the innocent majority of this labeled group, as many outsiders into the belief that “Post-9/11 Islamophobia demanded that all Muslims answer for the violent actions of a few extremists.” (O’ Connor). With this strict interpretation came the rise of many hate crimes, set to punish the whole Muslim race in efforts to scare off the few, actual terrorists. It has led to this back and forth growth in tension, as extremist groups have come to prominence in the Middle East to address such pressures. Just as the Brotherhood spoke out on their intolerance of their racial discrimination, vocal leaders have risen in today’s age, not just to discuss Muslim equality, but to give a say for everyone throughout the world. Continued progress is being made towards disregarding this sense of prejudice that is made that is solely based off of looks or

This paper takes a closer look at Islamophobia in the United States. Islamophobia is defined as irrational fear of Islam and Muslims. Is Islamophobia real or are Muslims, as some suggest, simply taking advantage of the religious freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution and the tradition of pluralism and acceptance. Others say Islamophobia exists because Muslims refuse to integrate into American society. Yet others will say Muslims refuse to integrate because of Islamophobia. “American Islam” and “mainstream Muslim” are both terms that have become highly politicized and must be understood specific to time and place. The media also plays a role in catering to the fear of Islam and Muslims by Americans. In this paper I will go into beliefs, as

The most prominent part of this problem is how often a person relates Muslims to terrorism. An assumption is made after every attack that the ones involved in it were committing this violence in the name of Islam. In reality, this statement is very incorrect and research has been made to come to the conclusion that actually “94% of Terrorist attacks in the US since 1980 are by non-Muslims”

Throughout the course of history, many societal conflicts, both internal and external, have been attributed to prejudice. Within the 21st century, one of the most prevalent forms of such prejudice within the United States include Islamophobia— the prejudice against Muslims. Fueled by fear from the September 11 attacks, many Americans have developed an negative attitude toward practitioners of Islam due to mass media, causing an unjustified discrimination in actions including but not limited to hate crimes, controversy and bullying within the educational sector, and unfair legislation against Muslims. Islamophobia needs to be combated through the educating of Americans that hold this anti-Muslim mindset, in order to foster a positive environment

The religion of Islam garners large amounts attention. Many believe it is a violent and backwards religion. Since 9/11, "Islamic reform" has become an all-purpose phrase: equally a western impulse to protect itself from Muslim violence and a humanist notion aimed at assisting voiceless Muslims (Eteraz1). Extreme displays of Islamic faith such as the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 have generated negative stereotypes about Islam as a religion. These stereotypes of violence and backwards thinking have been further perpetuated by even more recent examples of extremism by Muslim terrorists. Although most Muslims are peaceful and do not endorse the violence of their Muslim brethren, there are some who believe it is their

In the book titled Muslim American Youth by Selcuk R Sirin, he discusses Muslims who live the aftermath of the 9/11 and as well the historical concept of the United States. The book is based on a research and interview was done as a method. He indicates, in general, Muslims come from different background. In short, in this essay, I will discuss the things I like about the book, the concept of the othering, 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.

In the recent past terrorism, especially in politically and economically unstable regions, brings a continuously growing threat for people from every color, religion or ethnic background. And also in rather safe areas, such as Europe or the U.S., people fear the threat of terrorism. For such inhumane violence a scapegoat is often easily found in Islam, the religion these groups affirm to fight for. Such belief can readily lead to condemnation of not only an actually peace loving religion, but also innocent minorities suffering under the perverted practices of liars. This discrimination cannot be tolerated, because Al-Qaeda, the most commonly known terror organization of the world, and their leader Osama Bin Laden, were founded on a political basis and find no countenance in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The organization Al-Qaeda, following terroristic ideas and claiming to operate as surrogate for Islamic values, simplifies and intentionally misinterprets and shortens verses of the Quran, actually having no close connection to Islamic ideas, only claiming to do so in order to use it as a weapon to attack the United States and to convince potential followers to join the ' 'holy ' ' war fighting of Al Qaeda.

In Saitama Sanfo’s opinion piece, Islamophobia In America, she makes a point to direct attention to the amount of prejudice Muslim people receive and the amount of misrepresentation their religion is given. Through lack of accurate media representation, Islam has become synonymous with terrorism and Muslims have been subjected to a large amount hate crimes and slander towards themselves and their beliefs. Due to the constant generalizations of the entire religion, Sanfo made it a point to call out the double standards hidden amongst the negativity.

Ever since September 11, 2001 Americans along with the majority of the world’s population have been skeptical of Muslims. It’s a sad reality but it’s hard for people to think of a Muslim without linking them directly to terrorism. But these assumptions aren’t totally out of the blue—the Muslim’s religion, Islam, teaches a low tolerance for other religions and the Islamic government has no separation of church and state, so it’s only normal to assume that their government shall have a low tolerance as well—some however, immediately translate this into terrorism. Through the Islamic government and religion, relations with foreign countries, and separation amongst themselves it can be concluded that Islamic Fundamentalism is clearly a threat