By Famidah Mundir – Dirampaten
It’s crazy how misconceptions can cloud our understanding of an entire group of people. It’s a known fact that every religion has its fair share of misconceptions and stereotypes. Unfortunately, Islam is no exception to this influx of information.
In the face of divisive headlines, Islam unwaveringly fosters peace and understanding. The very word “Islam” means peace. A fifth of the world’s population is reclaiming this peace as their chosen way of life. As we progress in the 21st century, it’s important to move past stereotypes and understand Islam. This is a faith with a rich history, a strong appreciation for diversity, and a commitment to peace.
- MISCONCEPTION: “All muslims are terrorists.”
FACT: Islam’s teachings highlight peace, compassion, and justice. The vast majority of Muslims reject violence and extremism.
The idea that “all Muslims are terrorists,” is a harmful stereotype. Remember that most Muslims are peaceful and oppose terrorism. Though specific data is scarce, very few Muslims commit terrorist acts. At least 60 of the 2,400 U.S. terrorist attacks in the START (Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism) database from 1970 to 2012 were committed by Muslims, representing only 2.5% of the total. (Washington’s Blog)
It’s often Muslims who are most affected by acts of terrorism. Research has shown that 82% to 97% of victims of terrorism are Muslims.(BBC News)(Washington’s Blog)(Fondapol.Org) It’s important to note that these incidents are driven by a miniscule fraction of the world’s Muslims and by many other factors like population, failed governance, and weak economic development. (CSIS) These figures highlight that while terrorism is a global issue, it’s not representative of the beliefs and actions of the majority of Muslims worldwide.
The media often links Islam to violence, which can perpetuate this misconception. It’s crucial to separate the actions of a few from the beliefs of many. For example, as we wouldn’t judge all Christians by the acts of a few, we shouldn’t view all Muslims through the lens of terrorists.
- MISCONCEPTION: “Muslims are all Arabs.”
FACT: Muslims come from diverse ethnic backgrounds worldwide. Only about 20% of Muslims are Arabs.
It’s important not to mix up Muslims and Arabs. Muslims are found all over the world and come from many different cultures. Muslims learn Arabic, the language of Islam’s holy book, the Quran. It allows them to read the Quran and understand its teachings.
Out of the over one billion Muslims globally, only around 200 million are Arabs. Interestingly, about ten percent of these Arabs are not Muslims.
- MISCONCEPTION: “Muslim women are oppressed.”
FACT: Muslim women, like all women, live varied lives. Despite hurdles some may encounter, Islam safeguards their rights and offers them protection.
This is the most prevalent stereotype in Western media. Contrary to popular belief, women in Islam do not lack agency or personal freedom. They are capable of making impactful decisions and actions. Sometimes, cultural practices can cloud these rights. The Quran stands for gender equality and denounces violence against women.
Muslim women’s experiences are multifaceted, with empowerment being a significant aspect. Just to share, while the U.S. hasn’t had a female president yet, many Muslim women have already reached the top leadership roles in their countries. This includes notable figures like Benazir Bhutto, Khaleda Zia, Tansu Çiller, Sheikh Hasina, Mame Madior Boye, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Roza Otunbayeva, Atifete Jahjaga, Cissé Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Halimah Yacob, Samia Suluhu, and Vjosa Osmani.
- MISCONCEPTION: “Islam is a backward religion and Muslims disregard education.”
FACT: Education holds a significant place in Islam, and Muslims have a rich history of contributing to human civilization.
One reason Islam grew so quickly and peacefully was because of its simple teachings, which ultimately promoted the worship of a single God. Several civilizations and educational institutions were established in a relatively short amount of time. This quest for learning led to breakthroughs in many fields.
The Prophet (SAW) emphasized the importance of education for all Muslims, irrespective of gender. Muslim scholars made substantial contributions to various disciplines during the Islamic Golden Age. For instance, Ibn Sina (Avicenna) wrote “The Canon of Medicine,” which was a key medical resource for centuries. His interpretations of Aristotle’s works played a significant role in shaping European thought. The House of Wisdom in Baghdad was a key institution where scholars shared ideas. These contributions, among many others, were instrumental in preserving and advancing knowledge that later influenced Europe’s Renaissance.
- MISCONCEPTION: “Muslims worship a different deity.”
FACT: Muslims worship the same God as Christians and Jews. “Allah” is the Arabic word for God, used by Arabic-speaking followers of all three religions.
Muslims express their acknowledgment of Allah’s sovereignty through devotion and compliance with His teachings, delivered by His prophets throughout history. In Islam, God is unique, doesn’t fatigue, has no offspring or associates, and lacks human traits.
- MISCONCEPTION: “Islam is a monolithic religion.”
FACT: Islam is a diverse faith with a wide range of views, practices, and interpretations. It encompasses various sects, traditions, and cultural expressions.
Muslims, coming from different ethnicities, cultures, and eras, exhibit a broad spectrum of perspectives and practices. Different schools of thought and regional variations contribute to the richness of Islamic tradition.
A number of Islamic sects exist, each with its own set of customs, theology, and legal traditions. This diversity highlights the value of religious liberty.
- 7. MISCONCEPTION: “Muslims hate non-Muslims.”
FACT: Islam emphasizes the importance of peaceful coexistence and respectful interaction with people of other faiths.
Islam recognizes Jews and Christians as “People of the Book.” The Quran encourages dialogue, understanding, and fair treatment of non-Muslims, emphasizing the common humanity shared by all.
Throughout history, Muslim societies have demonstrated peaceful coexistence with different religious communities. Jews, Christians, and Muslims all lived in harmony in different Islamic regimes.
- MISCONCEPTION: “Islam is a threat to Western values.”
FACT: Islam and Western values share common ground, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
Islam and Western societies share common values, both aiming for a better humanity. Islam promotes freedom, justice, and democracy, which are also core Western values. Both societies are learning to adapt to each other’s values, and technology is changing how these communities interact.
- 9. MISCONCEPTION: “Islam and Democracy are incompatible.”
FACT: Many Muslim-majority countries have democratic systems, showcasing compatibility between Islam and democratic governance.
Islam and democracy share important principles like justice, equality, and people’s welfare. Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, stands as a real-time example of how Islam and democratic governance can coexist successfully.
- MISCONCEPTION: “Sharia law is barbaric and inflexible.”
FACT: Sharia is a comprehensive moral and ethical system based on Islamic teachings. It encompasses various interpretations and can be adapted to modern contexts.
While some parts of Sharia law related to faith, worship, and character are fixed, other parts that govern relationships between individuals can change based on circumstances, customs, and location. This flexibility is a key feature of Islamic law. Through a process called ijtihad, Muslim jurists have developed new rules from Islamic principles to suit their times and contexts.
These misconceptions have the potential not only to fuel the perpetuation of ignorance but contribute to foster prejudices. There are a lot of opinions, and reality is often twisted to fit personal agendas and biases. The harmful spread of these misconceptions needs to be addressed. It’s about shedding our preconceived ideas and welcoming the truth into our hearts and minds that exists beyond the veil of misconceptions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Famidah Dirampaten is the Assistant Editor for World HIjab Day Organization. She is also a candidate for the Master of Arts in Religious Studies with concentrations in Interfaith Peace Building and Nonprofit Leadership at the Unification Theological Seminary in New York. She is currently based in Doha, Qatar. Instagram@famidz