Islam And The Western Media - 3071 Words

â€Å"When I think Islam, I think belly dancers, bombs, and billionaires† This is something I have heard from many people’s mouths. When people think of the word Islam, or Muslim, a certain generalized picture comes to mind. I am sure this picture involves such things as sand, camels, oil, covered women, hookah, amongst other things. Though this is what the Western media generalizes Islam as, there is much more to Islam than the three B’s and these pictures that come to mind. Islam is not only a religion but is also a way of life. Like many things, Islam is stereotyped, generalized, and misunderstood. When most of us think of Islam we think of the â€Å"oppressed† women and â€Å"messed up† laws and we fail to see the truths of Islam and what it really stands for. Though the stereotypes we have heard may have or currently do believe, hold some truth there is more to Islam than what most Americans and westerners claim to see. Islam means submission to the will of Allah (swt1), {see footnote} the Arabic word for God, and the obedience of His law. Islam is the religion followed by Muslims. Muslim means one who submits to Allah (swt). Allah (swt) sent Prophet Muhammad (saws2) the words of the Koran, the Holy Book of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (saws) also wrote the Hadith, which is the group of sayings of Prophet Muhammad (saws) {see footnote} and a collection of things that he did. The Koran, also spelt Qur’an, and the Hadith are the books that are the basis for the Islamic faith and theShow MoreRelatedIslam and Western Media1930 Words   |  8 PagesSiddiqui Introduction to Islam Islam amp; Muslims in Western Media In July 12, 2008 publication of the New York Times, it was reported that the President of Sri Lanka was killed in a suicide attack. The religion of the suicide bomber was never reported. The very same newspaper (on November 5, 2009), reported that how a Muslim attacker attacked the US Base and killed US army soldiers. This discrimination against the Muslims and Islam is nothing but the fruit of Western Media’s propaganda againstRead MoreIslam( in the Eyes of Western Media)2244 Words   |  9 PagesISLAM (THROUGH THE EYES OF WESTERN MEDIA) By Jasmine Bhangoo The worldwide Islamic revival of the 1970s and the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States have prompted many to predict that the two cultures are on a major collision course. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the West. Nevertheless, the West has many stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam that are due to the media, prejudice, and ignorance. Islam is often looked upon as a extremist, terroristRead MoreThe Way Western Media Reports Events1073 Words   |  5 PagesThe way Western media reports events going on in the world influences the attitude Westerners have towards those events. Whether or not the media portrays the entire story or the full truth, most Westerners do not question the reports. Currently, Western media incorrectly portrays the members of the terrorist group ISIS as pure Islamic followers because of their use of verses in the Quran to justify their extremist actions. However, ISIS has a vastly different interpretation of the Quran than otherRead MoreMedia Portrayal of Islam Essay760 Words   |  4 PagesIslam: suppressor of women, enemy of Western nations, and breeder of terrorists. The West has many stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam that are due to the media, prejudice, and ignorance. Islam is often seen as an extremist or terrorist religion. Often, the medias reports about Islam are incorrect due to ignorance or not wanting to acknowledge its true teachings. This is one of the reasons why Westerners are often wary of Muslims. 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This current obsession is filled with negative signifiers with the global media’s predominantly negative, and to an extent racist portrayal of Islam and Muslims. Muslims are generally represented as violent, fanatical, bigoted, or as extremists and terrorists. Media coverage of Islam-related issues has changed drastically since the start ofRead MoreThe Art of Jihad Documentary1598 Words   |  7 Pagesstereotypes about Islam especially in USA, and how they try to reveal the actual meaning of Islam through their works. Non-Muslim people, especially non-Arabs, do not know the real meaning of Islam. These people always misjudge Muslims and think that Islam tells us not to be peaceful. This happens because of the corrupted media as it displays the wrong stereotypes of Islam. But after watching this documentary I found out that there are still some educated peopl e in the western society. I was impressedRead MoreThe Rise Of Islamophobia Has Affected The Lives Of Many Muslims Living Of Western Countries1708 Words   |  7 PagesRacialization of Islam In the past decade, especially the last two years, the rise of Islamophobia has affected the lives of many Muslims living in Western countries. Islamophobia by nature is racist, it makes general assumptions of a large group of people who share a common belief system. Making any generalization of the followers of Islam or of Islam itself, will oversimplify what is a diverse and complex global religious tradition. Yet western converts to Islam are often met with incomprehensionRead MoreAre Representations Of Islam Realistic?1661 Words   |  7 PagesAre representations of Islam realistic in the news? http://www.ukessays.com/essays/media/countless-stereotypes-and-negative-representations-media-essay.php http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/6758207/1-in-5-British-Muslims-have-sympathy-for-jihadis-in-poll.html Countless stereotypes and negative representations exist about Islam by the Western media in specific the news. It is known that media is very powerful source that shapes people s minds and opinions. For some people, theRead MoreThe Role Of Media Attitudes And Perceptions Of Muslims And Islam1013 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction: A. Problem Statement: To analyze and assess the role of media in the shaping of attitudes and perceptions of Muslims and Islam. 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