Being an Arab American, I have had to clear up many misconceptions my friends or colleagues have had about the Middle East. I don't mind taking the time to answer all of their questions.
When people used to think of the Middle East, they would remember hearing tales of the Arabian Nights, flying carpets, mysticism, and harems. I truly love those same tales, and especially the Persian artwork and poetry from around the 12th century. Nowadays, I wish people would recall upon those misconceptions rather than on the ones that all Arabs are terrorists who are out to destroy the United States.
It's no surprise that the media use negative images to reinforce notions that all Arabs are a threat. It's understandable that people react to Arabs in a negative view because all they know about that region of the world is what the news shows. And I've once heard that Americans can never see the media's view of the Middle East without political influence of the conflicts of the Israeli occupation, terrorist organizations, or the war in Iraq.
I also always wonder what the world had against one of the fastest growing religions in the world. The word "Islam" itself means "Peace" and why this isn't emphasized is probably due to the high ratings networks get from reporting negatively on the religion and region.
I've always really enjoyed the clip of one of the members from the hip hop group The Beastie Boys defending Arabs and Muslims when accepting an award at the MTV Music Awards. Since the members of that group are Jewish, it was noble of them to speak up for a culture/religion who would otherwise be considered their stereotypical rivals.
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Comments: 16
Thank you also for reminding us of the literature, poetry, and artwork of the Middle East ... I loved the stories of the Arabian Nights and completely forgot about them as I got older.
May I just say that it is not Arabs/Islam itself that is the problem, but that so many muslikm countries do not allow freedom of religon. A muslim may be a muslim in the US, but a christian may not be a christian in saudi arabia....that is a very big problem, and contrary to the Sura that states there is no compulsion in religion.
I do think, however, that Seth is good to remind us that Western perceptions of Muslim states in the Middle East do not materialize out of nowhere. The way the media choose to portray them, however, can either be positive or counter-productive.
This website is a perfect example of how a Muslim/Arab-American is free to express his/her own thoughts in an open and free discussion.
In response to Seth, I do agree that it may be problematic for Christians (or other religions for that matter) to be the minority in an Islamic state, but try reading the CAIR newswire every day of the harrassment, bigotry, vandalism, and discrimination that occur to Muslims and anyone Arab-looking in this country known for "freedom of religion."
I also wanted to complete the surah which verse you began, but didn't fully allow:
"Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things." [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 256]
I'm not one to alter the meaning of the Quran, so interpret it how you like. I did, however, find this link to a similar discussion:
http://www.subzeroblue.com/archives/2004/12/no_compulsion_in_rel.html
I have always wondered if the apparent intolerance of disent, the binding of church and state in many Moslem states, and incidents like the death threat to Salmon Rushdie have created an environment of intimidation among the more moderate and peace loving Moslem Arabs. It seems there have been few condemnations of terrorism or the al Qeda from any Moslems. Or is that the result of a limited American press? I don't know but would love to hear more.
If you are ever looking for more information, I would suggest checking out the Council on American-Islamic Relations at http://www.cair-net.org/
As for condemnations, think back to 9/11 and the Prime Ministers and Presidents of the world (Middle East & Islamic States included) condemning and grieving the attacks.
I specifically remember counting that morning the list of Arab countries who were not only denying involvement (because all fingers were obviously pointed towards them) but were also condemning the loss of so many innocent lives. Saudi Prince/Media Giant Alwaleed even wrote a check for $10 million dollars to former Mayor Giuliani for donation/charity relief, which ultimately was rejected.
What saddens me the most is the hundreds of Arabs/Muslims who also lossed their lives that day also that the media fail to recognize amongst the victims.
The main thing people seem to remember watching was the footage of the "Palestinian" woman and the young children celebrating the attacks on 9/11--footage which CNN *BRIEFLY* recalled later as being footage from an event years prior to 9/11. Funny how they failed to run that correction as intensely and repeatedly as they did before.
Honestly, it's hard for me to understand also, Lee. But just as a clarification, in Islam there are no top religious leaders or spokespersons. We don't have a Pope to tell us what to do, what not to do, what should/should not be the standard.
I think that is why there is so much confusion in those regions, confusion that manifests in the form of violence and destruction.
As Muslims, who are we supposed to follow--some self appointed guy who at the time is actively organizing the local prayer hall (aka mosque)? Unlike Priests or whatever, a true Muslim knows that that guy can NOT re-write the Holiest of books or grant redemption for past sins. But without true knowledge of the religion, found only within the Quran and life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), people are blindly following anyone who seems to have put themselves in charge.
Al Queda is successful purely because they are ORGANIZED, something that is surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) RARE in those third world countries.
They were funded through illegal trades/drug smuggling. Their followers are lost, illiterate, vengeful, desperate. They have nothing to turn to/live for except for what they believe to be Islam.
Iraq is nothing short of a huge disaster. For decades there was ONE person in charge, and then he's gone---instantly they're all scrambling to try to fill that void power. If it were us (Americans, I'm included ;) we would do all that we could just to survive. But to them, what do they have to live for? Their country is a mess, who could blame them?
Unless hope is clearly shown to them, then nothing can stop them from committing the ultimate sacrifice. And the sooner people realize that, the sooner a solution can be found.
No-one, not even the US government can control the Press; especially now that we have the internet. If the big media did want to play an event down, there are enough other venues, like Al Jazeerah, for any top muslim leader to make his position known-if he opposed the murder and mayhem going on in the Middle East.
And, with respect, there is a hierarchy in the Moslem religion. There may not be one supreme religious leader, (we don't have one in the Presbyterian faith either) but Ayatollahs could definitely be compared to cardinals or bishops in terms of personal power with their followers. When will the foremost Ayatollahs repudiate Al Queda? If they tell their followers, "Al Queda is an abomination in the eyes of Allah and you should not support them.", you'll see the numbers of willing martyrs vanish overnight. These homicide bombers are not atheists; they are true believers, and they will obey their religious leaders.
And as far as Iraq; I wish we weren't there, but since we are there, and since we have overthrown their former government, heinous as it was, we are obliged to stay there and help the people of Iraq, until they can develop an infrastructure (like we helped the peoples of Germany and Japan) including: water and other utilities, schools, roads, hospitals, industry, and wholesale & retail trade, etc.; so that they run their country for themselves.
1. An Ayatollah affiliates only with the Shi'a sect of Islam in Iran, and he will not be able to have an influence on the Sunni majority in the rest of the world. (I suggest you read my article "Sunni vs Shi'a" on the history of the differences between the two.) I guess in a way, Islamic Sheikhs release 'fatwas' (religious orders) regarding various things, but who's to say who can claim themselves to be a sheikh since there is no one / nothing else we ever have to answer to but Allah alone.
2. Al Queda can be seen to affiliate more with the Sunni sect of Islam rather than Shi'ia, but I honestly think their whole organization is an abomination as well.
3. Al Jazeerah is the Middle East equivalent of Fox News. By the way, the Al Jazeerah website found on the internet is tracked by the American government.
4. The US government CAN and DOES control the press since most major media outlets are supported through advertising sales from big business corporations that also spend millions lobbying.
Besides that, take as an example the media control of information happening in Iraq and their insistence/insertion of "positive" stories.
5. I'm just curious whom you think is one of those "top muslim leaders" because keep in mind there is a subtle difference between politics and religion, which I would be happy to explain to you futher. Just because a leader of a country happens to be Muslim, does not mean he is automatically the spokesperson for the religion itself. Government leaders can be just as corrupt & hypocritical no matter what country he/she represents.
I think it's just that they are still very "foreign" to us. Their culture and religion are very different from what we are used to, and we have yet to become comfortable with this.
I do think that Lee is very naive in thinking no one controls the press. As pointed out, advertising dollars control much of what we see and hear, and we all have to admit that our "news" outlets have crossed over to the "infotainment" era. Look at the front page of CNN.com. You'll see news on the death of 2 miners, deaths in Iraq, and that Angelina Jolie's kids will now be called Jolie-Pitt. All of these stories are given equal billing and equal importance. YIKES!
No wonder we appear shallow!
I look forward to reading more on this subject, because I for one would like to understand better.
CAIR DELEGATION RETURNS TO U.S. FROM IRAQ - TOP
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) delegation that went to Iraq seeking the release of journalist Jill Carroll will return to Washington Dulles International Airport at 6:55 p.m. Monday, January, 23, on an Air France flight. Delegation members will be available for interviews at that time.
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726 (CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad, who traveled to Iraq, will be available at 703-851-4051 after landing.)
SEE ALSO:
JILL CARROLL: CHORUS OF SUPPORT FROM MUSLIM LEADERS - TOP
Christian Science Monitor, 1/23/06
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0123/p11s01-woiq.html
A delegation from the Council on American-Islamic Relations arrived in Baghdad Saturday, adding its voice to what is described as an unprecedented outpouring of Muslim support for the release of American reporter Jill Carroll.
"The kidnapping of Jill Carroll does not benefit the kidnappers," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Washington-based group that represents US mosques and Islamic associations. "She has been friendly and respectful of the Iraqi people, not an enemy," he added. (MORE)
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CAIR-TX: LOCAL MUSLIMS DECRY CAPTURE - TOP
KEVIN MORAN, Houston Chronicle, 1/22/06
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3604765.html
Leaders and members of Houston's Islamic community today condemned the kidnapping of journalist Jill Carroll in Iraq, called for her release and said threats to kill Carroll fly in the face of Muslin teachings.
"We all have the same feeling of outrage," Nabin Oladi, a Muslim resident of the Clear Lake area said. "It doesn't go along with our religion and we are praying and hoping that she will be released."
Oladi attended a news conference at the Islamic Dawah Center in downtown Houston organized by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, and area Muslim leaders. The group spoke out as the world waited for word on whether an Iraqi insurgent group called "The Revenge Brigade" would carry out its threat to kill Carroll unless nine Iraqi women under detention in Iraq were released.
Houston City Councilman M.J. Khan urged people of all faiths and nations to pray for the release of the Christian Science Monitor freelance writer and urged Carroll's captors to heed international calls for mercy.
"In the name of Islam, I appeal to you to release Jill Carroll," Khan said. "It is the Islamic thing to do. It is the right thing to do. It is the human thing to do."
Tarek Hussein, president of Houston's chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Carroll's kidnappers are violating Islamic law.
"It is absolutely against Islamic teachings for any civilian to be targeted anywhere in the world," Hussein said. "It will not further their cause. She is a journalist who came there wanting to help a country in turmoil." (MORE)
Thank you for enlightening me on Ayatollahs. I didn't realize that only the Shi'a had them. Thank you also for the news about muslims speaking out for Jill Carroll. I find that most encouraging.
I'm glad that we agree that Al Queda is a totally lawless sect, and an abomination.
I understand about Al Jazeerah, but the point still remains that they are a viable outlet vs American media or BBC.
If you look at the different ways that CNN, FOX, ABC, NBC, and CBS spin stories, I don't see how you can say the government controls their content. It often seems to me that no-one is controlling their content! I think Nancy's comments about infotainment give credence to my view. Many of the media would be better described as "liberal" rather than "conservative". They leap on opportunities to do a little "Bush bashing" every chance they get. I think it is more naive to believe that all these media moguls will toe the line like they did prior to Vietnam and Watergate. The Presidency and the US Government have never regained the power and prestige they lost in that time, and frankly, I don't think they ever will. And, praise God, the more educated our people become, they less likely it will be that our government, or any other, can get away with smoke and mirror tricks. As far as positive stories on Iraq; don't you agree that positive is better than negative? We are going to get the negative anyway because bad news sells newspapers and talk show air time. I have spoken with a number of veterans that have returned home from Iraq and every one of them has commented on the fact that the news doesn't tell enough about the new schools, medical clinics, fresh water, electricity, women's rights, and other positive things that they are helping to make happen all over Iraq. It's hard to be proud of killing fellow humans, but it's easy to be proud of electrifying a village that has never known electricity. What's so bad about shining a little light on some of the good things that are going on? Lastly, in naming a "top muslim leader", I would think the Ayatollahs Sistani and Sadr have both demonstrated their power among the Shi'a. There have to be some individuals in the Sunni group that teach in the schools and preach in the mosques; some conterpoint to the Ayatollahs for the Shi'a, or Bishops and Cardinals in the Christian religion. Who is recruiting all these homicide bombers in the name of Allah? Why aren't they being denounced as liars and charlatans in mosques all around the world? In answer to Nancy's question about why we look at Middle easterners with suspicion; it's the same reason that loyal Americans of Japanese descent were put in POW camps in WWII. They look different enough to be easy to pick out and 19 young men from the Middle East hijaced American planes and flew, or tried to fly, them into American buildings, on American soil, on 9/11. It may not be politically correct to say it like that, but it is reality. Again, I thank you for your helpfulness and kindness in helping me to better understand these issues.