How To Recognize and Avoid Islamophobic Propaganda

Today, mention of "Islam" and/or "Muslim" brings a scary picture to mind - one of suicide bombers, sword-wielding slayers, oppressed women and intellectual backwardness. It is a sad fact that, since 9/11, the Western world has increasingly been prone to this phenomenon, despite housing a notable, peace-observing Muslim immigrant population since decades.

Wikipedia states: The American writer Stephen Schwartz has defined Islamophobia as the condemnation of the entirety of Islam and its history as ‘extremist’; "denying" the existence of a moderate Muslim majority; regarding Islam as a problem for the world; treating conflicts involving Muslims as necessarily their own fault; insisting that Muslims make changes to their religion; and inciting war against Islam as a whole.

Islamophobia is on the rise since 9/11, 7/7, and other violence-related incidents. The world’s power-hungry, selfish elements are using the placard of “Islamic terrorism” to commit heinous acts of terror on a mass-scale in order to achieve personal motives. The media is a handy tool for such individuals and organizations, which promptly use it to pin the blame for such acts on Islam and its followers. Militancy has always existed in history, but today, the word “militant” is synonymous with “Muslim” only.

We all are users of, and to a certain extent, victims of brainwashing by, electronic and print media. Sensationalistic news can not only be used to promote a certain mindset, it can also be used to keep entire nations – millions of people – thinking a certain thought, or believing a certain mis-report.

This is not to say that Muslims are not fallible; nay, they have their share of crimes and misdemeanors. It is their religion, Islam, however, which is grossly misunderstood of late. Below I have listed the most distorted or quoted-out-of-context issues perpetrated as ‘propaganda’ against Islam:

1. Men’s superiority over women. Men all over the world, since far back in history, have wrongly-used their superior physical strength over women, for unfair subjugation. If Muslim men do the same, it doesn’t imply that Islam endorses this action.
2. Women are oppressed and considered intellectually inferior. The testimony of two women against that of one man, their having to adequately cover their bodies, and their subordination to their husbands are also considered symbols of inferiority and oppression.
3. Prophet Muhammad’s multiple marriages (with particular focus on his marriage to A’ishah, his best friend’s daughter, who was more than 40 years younger than him). Prophet Muhammad [peace and Allah’s blessings be upon him] married 13 women, most of them after he turned 50, and most of whom died in his life. Anti-Islamic protagonists throw this in everyone’s face, despite the fact that most Prophets of monotheistic religions have practiced polygamy.
4. The Hoors of Paradise described in the Quran.
5. War-related Islamic laws ordering the killing of non-Muslims.

I am a Muslim, and not having studied or read the Torah/Bible/Veda, I would be cautious about judging the religions of Judaism, Christianity or Hinduism by solely looking at their followers today. Making any sweeping statements regarding the religions would be unjustified without credible evidence and in-depth knowledge of authentic scriptures.

Most people DO get influenced by Islamophobic propaganda, though. They dread the veil, the turban, the beard, and the mosque. What can be done to avoid being influenced by media purporting Islamophobia?

1. Try to keep an open mind. Remember that only naïve, narrow-minded and unwise people are easily fooled or swayed by news reports. Wise people don’t form strong opinions based on hearsay and propaganda. They refrain from judging others.
2. Differentiate between culture and religion. The East harbors the world’s major Muslim population, but most practices, beliefs and rituals are more a by-product of the region’s culture than its religion. For example, many Indian, Pakistani, Chinese and Arab women prefer sons over daughters, force daughters into marriage, and frown upon women pursuing a career. This is more a geographically-common, cultural belief than one related to Islam. The same applies to codes of dress, cuisine, and general lifestyle. Besides some broad guidelines, Islam does not endorse stringent rituals and practices. They are more a result of lineage, geographical culture and ethnic heritage.
3. Interact with Muslims. When was the last time you actually had a conversation with a Muslim? Can you think of a time when you actually saw a Muslim man being oppressive, or met a Muslim woman who was oppressed? Have you met any Muslim woman who complains of her religious husband beating her up? Most devout Muslims are truly happy living the way they are. Reports suggest that Muslims in the West prove to be good neighbors, and are popular in their workplaces. Try to befriend some Muslims in your community in order to satisfy your curiosity about their religion.
4. Gain knowledge of Islam from reliable sources. This is the most important step to take. Before forming your opinion about Islam, you should seek to know what it really is, in order to avoid being sucked up by the plethora of Islamophobic news and views in the media. Visit authentic Islamic websites, online Muslim forums, or subscribe to good Islamic magazines. Read books published by genuine Islamic publishers, such as Darussalam (please avoid sensationalistic best-selling novels that depict oppressed veiled women – they are not representative of Islam). Last but not least, pick up a translation of the Quran, and read it yourself. For any questions, contact scholars online.

For every apostate, there are a multitude of reverts; for each suicide bomber, there are a multitude of happy, peaceful Muslim families dwelling in quiet servitude to their Creator; for each dowry-burned village lass, there are a multitude of ‘independent and educated’ Western women, willingly embracing Islam and donning the hijab of their own free will. Islam is not the fastest-growing religion in the world for nothing. Would you form your opinion about it based on mere hearsay?