Look Beyond the Headlines!by WordsAplenty | More from this Blogger 27 Jul 2006 10:11 PM I always thought it goes without saying, but in light of recent comments left on my blog, I think it needs to be said: don't believe everything you hear! Today there are so many sources of news and information, some reliable and some definitely not, that you must be sure you can trust the things you hear or read. It is also important to get beyond the news headlines. News is, by its very nature, sensationalized. Television stations gain viewers and advertisers by having highly controversial, "hot" stories. Likewise, newspapers and magazines sell subscriptions by having cutting-edge, sensational headlines. Good news is boring; good news doesn't sell. Imagine for a second that you were a visitor to this country. If you had to judge America and her people solely on the things you learned on the news, in the papers, or on magazine covers, what would you think? It's quite likely that you would come to the conclusion that Americans are all either rapists or murderers. After all, that's what fills the news. I know that my Egyptian mother-in-law came to that conclusion during her first visit to the states! It is the same way with Muslims and the Muslim world. Our news stations have little incentive to report "good" news from the region. Why would they show acts of kindness, generosity, or brotherly love? Why would they report on good Muslim parents, who sacrifice everything for their children? Why would you hear about all the loving, devoted husbands who work tirelessly so that their wives can stay home with the kids? Why would they tell you of the millions of Muslims who choose not to become terrorists, suicide bombers, or wife beaters? Why would they tell you of all the gentle ones, the ones with noble goals and peaceful dreams? They wouldn't. They have no reason to tell those stories. Those stories are boring; those stories don't sell. So, instead you hear of the ones who are filled with rage, the ones who are willing to blow themselves up for a cause. And yes, clearly, those types exist. The problem is, those are such a minute fraction of the Muslim population! Most Muslims condemn those actions; most just want peace in the world. Most are willing to compromise and negotiate and find peaceful resolutions. But, of course, no one is telling those stories. Why would they? Relevantmuslim tags communication | sex | children | divorce | Islamic names | education | relationships | marriage | Muslim names | parenting User Comments  Libby Pelham (12871) 31 Jul 2006 07:22 AMI liked when 30 Days had a Christian guy live with Muslims for 30 Days. Did you see that? It was very eye opening - made the Christian realize that all Muslims are not extremists. Like you said, I think we forget that from all the news stories. Thanks for the blog Misty!  WordsAplenty (4029) 31 Jul 2006 09:31 AMNo, Libby. I didn't see that. It sounds quite interesting, though. Thanks for reading. Sherry Holetzky (11404) 11 Aug 2006 03:35 PMNews sources definitely need to be viewed carefully. It helps to review several sources of different types, and then form an opinion. Many people tend to form opinions after skimming those sensational headlines and photos (some of which have recently been proven to be altered to appear even worse). A little research is required if people really want to know what's going on in their world. You make some excellent points, Misty. Are there organizations for peaceful Muslims that take a stand on this issue that I could look up, or are you referring to individuals? I'd be interested in hearing the other side. WordsAplenty (4029) 11 Aug 2006 04:13 PMSherry, I was mostly referring to individuals, but there are many peaceful Muslim groups. One group, Cair http://www.cair.com/, is devoted to promoting peace and understanding between Muslims and mainstream America. They are very much against terrorism, and they are working to build a Muslim presence in America. There are numerous progressive Muslim groups that are working to fight terrorism and bring about more rights for women. WordsAplenty (4029) 11 Aug 2006 04:14 PMOh, I meant to say that Cair is trying to build a Muslim presence in American government... hifz88 (10) 03 Nov 2007 06:36 AMhi.im really glad i came across your website .i am 19 yr old indian muslim.although i dont live in america i cant definitely connect with the hatred outthere.thankfully in india we dont have such discrimination(at least i have never come across it.the thing is i live a very normal life we follow islam as much as possible -we cover our heads,dont date or drink alcohol. it never really was a issue because it was not our lifestyle or a part of indian culture.most indians dress pretty modestly and dating and alcoholism is looked down upon.so its not like an islamic thing here and i come very long extended family and community of muslims.so we have plenty of support base and our friends are pretty much like us.so wearing a headscarf doesnt get you the looks here. so whats the problem?well it started when i came across an anti-islam website that totally degraded islam and muslims.it had a profound impact on me.what with the medias portrayal of muslims as terrorists and islam as an oppressive religion i started questioning my faith which even though never faltered i was very upset about that seed of doubt.i was troubled by radical interpretations like wahabism and totally unislamic practices like circumcision of women in egypt,domestic violence and honor killings.although my life is pretty stable and im surrounded by my muslim brethrens who are not at all like that i started focussing on the negative.another concept was that being an fundementalist is bad which leads to the deeper implication that when islam is imbraced fully it leads to violence.my mind just couldnt accept that.i mean how can a religion be true if its impossible to practice? i couldnt understand how women could be prohibited to drive ,go out or work.i couldnt understand how any muslim who practiced this religion can commit heinous crimes and make despicable fatwas and statements(sheik hameed ali the chief mufti of australias comment onthe rape of women is a good example).i started wondering whether this religion will lead and propogate violence.even knowing that none of the muslims i knew were like that i couldnt help but feel confused.i started wonderin whether we were only happy because we didnt strictly practice it like how they do in saudi.well it went to the extent that i had to seek medical help.i realise now islam is not the problem(for it doesnt prohibiy women from working or going out or voting.a women can practice islam within its broad limits and acheive great things) but rather how the misogynistic power hungry men have used islam to suppress women and to exploit other human beings.we are only told that islam asks the women to obey men but everyone forgets the advice given to men-to compromise with women and to fullfill their wishes.where it says women to cover it also says advises not to use force to implement any personal obligations.repeatedly in the quran Allah says to be tolernat with the non-beleivers and not to use force to propogate religion.if force cant be used to even enforce faith(for Allah says if they beleive let them beleive and if they disbeleive let them disbeleive)how can the use of force be justified to implement something like the dress code?it is surely upto that individual to follow or not follow for no one is held responsible for anyone eles action.its because of people like bin-laden,saddam and stupid muftis the rest of us have to suffer.my non-muslims friends ask me whether i agree with al-quaeda.i try my best to explain to them that islam does not condone violence and thatwhat they are doing with their perverted notion of jihad is completely unislamic.i guess as muslims its our duty to set a good example and all these people who air their views in the name of islam(which are totally unislamic)should understand that it has a very big impact in how outsiders conceive our religion.if they want to hold misogynistic views why must they do it in the name of islam?and all those people who expess their discrimatory bigotted and hatefull views pls realise it might hurt other human beings to the extent of causing depression and anxiety.we are just normal people with normal aspirations and to leave in peace.im really glad there are ppl lik you out there who are talking about islam in a positive way and many non-muslims who understand that its not the religion rather a few people and their stupid actions thats the problem. TeacherDanna (10) 06 Feb 2008 02:12 AMAsalamu alaikum, I think any Muslim who is wavering in faith, or any person who is questioning ISLAM, should go directly to the source. They should read the QURAN and HADEETH (saheeh) and all their questions will be answered. They will feel a veil of peace encompass them. Islam is the only religion that answers all the questions that man-kind needs to know, as well as being the ONLY religion that has a doctrine (QURAN) that is unchanged/uncorrupted by the hands of man. Subhan allah, we are truly blessed... Asalamu alaikum Community Tags islam, misconceptions, misunderstandings, muslim, sensationalism Discuss this article
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