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Muslim Students Say U.S. Media is to Blame for Misconceptions about Islam
Most Americans associate Islam with violence and hatred of the West, but a recent survey of 130 young Muslim adults studying in the United States--both American- and foreign-born--paints a very different picture. For example, although 87% of respondents believe that Americans do not understand Islam and 63% believe that Americans are prejudiced against Muslims, an overwhelming 80% have a "generally favorable view of Americans." Seventy-two percent believe that Islamic values are compatible with Western values.
When it comes to Western misconceptions of Islam, the vast majority of respondents blame the "distorted media," which according to an Indonesian-born student at University of Kansas "likes to jumble everything under one umbrella. Something that is not necessarily taught by Islam could be acted out by its followers."
Also at fault are the U.S. education system, which according to an American Muslim from John Hopkins University, doesn't "put enough emphasis on teaching about the values of 20 percent of the world population," as well as Muslims themselves, some of whom "misinform by being poor representatives of their religion and its values," says Pakistani-born Fahad Zahedi, a student at University of Texas at Arlington.
Respondents insist that if we succeed in bridging this gap in understanding, non-Muslim Americans will discover that they have more in common with Muslims than they think. Says Pakistani-born Abdur-Rahman Syed from Boston University, "Islamic values appeal to many of our basic moral intuitions about human dignity, equality and accountability. It isn't surprising that there is considerable overlap between Western and Islamic values."
Respondents generally agree on the most widely held Western misconceptions about Islam, including the misconceptions that Muslim women are oppressed, Islam is an inherently violent religion that condones terrorism, Islam is intolerant of other religions and "jihad" is synonymous with "Holy War."
Full survey results are featured in Glimpse Quarterly's special year-end issue, to be released this week, which focuses on Islamic practices around the world. The survey was conducted by Glimpse Quarterly's 501(c)3 parent organization, The Glimpse Foundation, which fosters cross-cultural understanding and exchange, particularly between the United States and the rest of the world, by providing forums for young adults to share their experiences living abroad. Click here for a PDF of the survey results as they appear in Glimpse Quarterly.
Glimpse Quarterly's Editor in Chief, Kerala Goodkin, is available for comment.
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Christianity and Islam - What Religious Differences Mean in Everyday Life
James A. Donahue, PhD, President and Professor of Ethics at the Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley, CA), provides leadership on how to live constructive Christian values in today's truly multicultural world. Donahue will speak on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at the Catholics@Work breakfast meeting held at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA 94526.
A Comparison of ISLAM and CHRISTIANITY
Hi,(Salaam to You: Peace be Upon you)
(What a great greeting Muslims possess that whenever they meet one another, they greet peace and comfort to others.)I am Syed Waqas from Pakistan.
Muslimah Writers Alliance Director to Appear on Channel Islam Radio in Support of Islamic Initiative at Johannesburg's Rand Show
Aishah Schwartz, Yvonne Ridley, Na'ima B. Robert, and Idris Tawfiq unite on Channel Islam Radio in support of a new initiative to be introduced by Channel Islam International (Cii) at the 112th Annual Rand Show. The Cii Islamic Information Center will provide information conveying the true beauty of the message and teachings of Islam, with a special emphasis on dispelling misconceptions.
Security Solutions International (SSI) addresses Council on American-Islamic Relation's Protest of Radical Islam Course in Seattle
The Threat of Islamic Jihadists to the World is a unique training course that has been expertly designed to bring world-class counter-terrorism training to First Responders and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the country. The two day program hosted by Seattle's Port Police featured one of America's foremost experts on radical Islam and anti-terror security practices.
The Warped Psychology of Islam
The London Bombings are just the beginning. Londoners are probably wondering what they did to deserve it.
Islam Embraces the New Pope
The European Union has seen a huge influx of Muslims in its countries and is watching their incredible birth rates. The demographic switch is changing rapidly.
Diversity of Interpretation in Islam; Sunni, Shia thought -- PICO Educational Series, Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 4:30 PM
Pakistan Information and Cultural Organization (PICO) is hosting a free educational seminar, Diversity of Interpretation in Islam; Sunni, Shia thought. The event starts at 4:30 PM on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at Almahdi Center, 1016 S River Drive, Tempe, Arizona, followed by a complimentary dinner for the attendees. The presenters are Mr. Salim Jaffer and Imam Abdul Alim Musa.
Islam in the Workplace
Suggested practice for HR personnelMuslims now form one of the largest religious groups in the UK. At a time when great misunderstandings and stereotypes circulate the media and society regarding the religion, it is crucial for an effort to be made at all levels to go beyond archetypal images and to begin to understand Islam and Muslims.
Muslim Students Say U.S. Media is to Blame for Misconceptions about Islam
A survey conducted by the Glimpse Foundation of 130 Muslims studying in the United States--both American- and foreign-born--reveals very positive impressions of the general American public, but marked frustration toward the U.S. media for its distorted and one-dimensional portrayals of Muslims.
Humanity Needs Islam
The human nature means the soul and the body. A man without a spiritual life is no longer a man.
Outskirts Press Announces Shia Cresent, the Latest Highly-Anticipated Islam - Shi'ism Book from Albuquerque, NM Author Jamai Haquani
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Shia Cresent: Emergence of World War 3 by Jamai Haquani, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Islam - Shi'ism category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $16.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/shiacresent was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
Religious Scholar Explores Islam in Conversations with Muhammad, Moses, Jesus and Other Spiritual Leaders
The Exoneration: The New Testament of Allah by Eric Kingsley attempts to remove the dogma surrounding religions and promote peace in the name of God instead
Outskirts Press Announces The Laws of Inheritance in Islam, the Latest Highly-Anticipated Islam - Law Book from Cedar Rapids, IA Author Sohail S. Huss
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published The Laws of Inheritance in Islam by Sohail S. Hussaini, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Islam - Law category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $14.95. The Laws of Inheritance in Islam is also available in its 5.5 x 8.5 Hardback w/ Jacket edition for $25.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/TheLawsofInheritanceInIslam was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
Nation of Islam Announces Historic Return of the Honorable Louis Farrakhan and Saviours' Day Weekend Program
The Nation of Islam will hold a press conference in the Cobo Arena on Friday, February 23 at 9:30am to announce highlights of this weekend which include details on the annual National Convention of the Nation of Islam Saviours' Day Weekend Program and the Historic return of the Honorable Louis Farrakhan -- Detroit, Michigan.
Nation of Islam Officials Confirm Farrakhan's Surgery
Nation of Islam officials have confirmed that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has undergone a twelve hour operation.
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