Give Us Real Islam, Not The Hollywood Version

Abdul-Qaadir Abdul-Khaaliq I dont usually advocate the approach I am about to take, but it seems that reason or reasonableness is not the functioning word of the day when it comes to dealing with Islam and Muslims. Insult after injury is heaped upon Muslims time after time and - we know you have heard the complaint before - there seem to be few people who possess anything close to a balanced perspective when it comes to the reality of Muslims in the world. People need to be reminded of this. What I mean is that if Islam and Muslims are put under the objective microscope of history, and even in current day events, they actually fare far better than others in terms of their positive contributions to societies in which they are a part. They are far worse off when it comes to suffering and being maligned by their enemies and detractors. I do not however, wish to wave the flag of being the perpetual victim because that would not also be a balanced perspective. The fact is that throughout todays world and yesterdays history, most of the major, bloodiest occurrences and longstanding conflicts have nothing to do with Muslims or Islam. Even conflicts that exist within Muslim areas often do not stem from any particularly Islamic basis but are fueled by other causes. You must realize the blatant and open lopsidedness in media coverage that has existed for some time now. It doesnt matter whether you see that as some sort of overall broad and concerted effort by anti-Islamic elements or not. It exists. As long as you continue to read about incidents in the news where the religion of the perpetrator of a particular crime is not mentioned unless he or she is a Muslim, then you should know that the bias is present, especially when the vast majority of criminals of all types associate or attribute their religious beliefs or upbringing (or that of their families) to other than Islam. (I am still being nice by not mentioning those religions arent I?) I am bringing up this oft-written about subject because of recently being more exposed to negative correspondence and attitudes than previously. It is not that I ignored or was unaware of such attitudes, but I always felt that there were already so many voices expressing the Muslims concerns (and more eloquently than I am capable) that it was not necessary to add to the chorus. Besides, the aim of this publication is focused more towards bringing the message of real Islam to all, not a news or current events editorial. My motivation for adding any words to this matter is a greater realization of just how deep the impact of one-sided and negative portrayals are. I have, to be honest, read some editorials by impartial non-Muslim writers that show that not all of them are easily swayed by Islamophobic presentations and that they indeed have the sense and clear perception of media bias, but these are few. It also seems that such writers have a better historical perspective and work or live around Muslims and therefore actually know them to more than a purely superficial extent. In other words, when people actually see Muslims as people like themselves, they dont share the same misgivings and prejudices of those who are more isolated from the Islamic community. Believe it or not, this isolation can occur even in the midst of Muslim countries where non-Muslims are often housed in compounds made up like their own little world within a world and are still fed with the same stereotypes, misinformation, and half-truths that they got before their arrival. They even attempt to keep anyone overtly Muslim or Islamic off the premises!

Many people do not generally seem to be able to view things from the broadest perspective but are rather more narrowly focused. If this were not true, then I dont believe they would make some of the broad, sweeping and even absurd statements that they make nor would they accept them coming from others. Examples: Arab-Moslem fanaticism and intransigence are the root causes to Middle East turmoil or All I have seen is your religion attack or This religion treats women as if they were a slave and even Islam teaches that god is so far above man in every way that he is virtually unknowablead nauseum. Some of these are statements of obvious zealots in their own religious faith and who have been conditioned against listening to or accepting of Islam in the first place. One wonders however, if even they would be so open to such ill-conceived and incorrect ideas and so closed off from reality if not for: 1) contributions of negative and biased reporting 2) lack of education about Islam and Muslims 3) negative stereotyping of Muslims in books and films 4) little actual contact with everyday practicing Muslims (which they are already discouraged from having). Finally, I must confess to being concerned about a new film called The Seige from 20th Century Fox starring Bruce Willis and Denzel Washington, set to open in theaters in the U.S. on November 6 that may only contribute to the problem. If you havent already heard, the basic story is that Arab and Muslim Americans are rounded up into internment camps like the Japanese were after Pearl Harbor because of their perceived threat to the security of the United States. Acts of violence are associated with Islam in a more realistic and sinister manner than previous comic book-like drivel like True Lies (also 20th Century Fox) and others in the past when Muslims were portrayed as blood-thirsty terrorists or just plain idiots. Its not just Saddam, Khomeini, Qaddafi, or some rich, bearded guy in a turban holed up in Afghanistan who hates America that you cant trust...its the Muslim right beside you! The media watch group CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) voiced the Islamic communities concerns to director Ed Zwick and producer Linda Obst in an official meeting. Only limited success was achieved. CAIR has issued an alert to the American Muslim community and are calling for a proactive response such as handing out informational brochures about Islam to moviegoers and inviting them to the local mosque. The question remains as to whether bringing attention to the film will just build its audience or will it instead be a golden opportunity to expose more people to true Islam? Will audiences be so shaken by the ideas planted in their minds by the film that going to a mosque or talking to a Muslim will be the last thing they want to do? Will already irrational prejudices be fed and those soinclined will feel incited to commit anti-Muslim hate crimes? Are people, Americans in particular, smarter than we think and the film wont prejudice them one way or the other and they will perceive it all as harmless entertainment - a good action flick? Perhaps more people will be offended that the U.S. government is portrayed as reactionary, short-sighted, against religious freedom and racist? Maybe it will be a box-office flop that Bruce and Denzel will wish they had never made. Will the question be answered as to why such a film would be made at this time? I dont know. I just cant imagine any other religious group being portrayed this way. Are we Muslims: those who depopulated an entire continent and colonized others often not caring whether we wiped out the indigenous people there or not; those who dropped the atom bomb? warring co-religionists of different denominations who have been at each other for generations and only this year signed a shaky peace?

known for burning crosses in the yards of those whose skin tone, ethnicity or religion they dont like and who at one time hanged blacks on a regular basis?; Serbians who see it as a duty to ethnically-cleanse themselves of Muslims in eastern Europe? extremists who demolished an ancient mosque and cant wait to replace it with their temple and expel all Muslims from India? those who created one of the most devastating refugee crises in the world after uncontrolled slaughter in tribal fighting in Africa? those who comprise most of the members of violent gangs, or organized crime syndicates in the U.S. and fill its jails? those who posted flyers of pigs in Muslim areas, gunned down 29 worshippers in a mosque, illegally settled on Muslim lands, and rolled a tractor up on the grounds of Al-Aqsa compound hoping to plant the cornerstone of their long lost temple?

The list is endless, and if you cant recall the respective religions of these well known groups, could it be because that is not always highlighted as the major issue in reporting about them? Are you automatically more conscious of making a separation between their deeds from the tenets of their religious doctrine and assume that they likely represent some type of deviation from the norm? Islam is the second largest major religion on the planet and for Muslims it is the only one that offers real hope, dignity, and freedom from the tyranny of man-made systems and concocted religions and ideologies. For us Islam is: the religion that offers a whole and healthy manner by which man can recognize and worship the One and Only Creator. the religion that cultivates love for God, the god-fearing and concern for the welfare of people in general. the religion that unashamedly advocates sexual morality, piety and even economic freedom. the religion that if fully practiced and implemented, leaves a person with absolutely no need to depend on addictive, mind-altering drugs for fun, relief or escape, nor any other destructive or undignified behavior. the religion that protects the human family, and the honor of all members of society, especially women, children and the poor. the religion that establishes justice, lawful gain of wealth, and protects members of society from criminals, deviants and all who would undermine safety, peace and security. the religion that encourages education and respects the rights of religious people and eliminates racial discrimination. the religion that offers a concrete system of life that develops a person to be righteous, noble, honest, confidant and internally satisfied. the religion that thousands of enlightened people from of all walks of life, not just prisoners or African-Americans (popular stereotypes), but all types of born and bred Americans and Europeans (especially women) are embracing each year.

That is the Islam we know and believe in that some would obviously rather you not know. It is the true picture of Islam and the Islam we want people to see...not the Hollywood version.