Understanding Islam
“Understanding Islam” by Kenneth Jost, pg. 172 – 176
Islam is an ill-perceived religion throughout most of the Western world. Once known as a quiet and peaceful religion, the general perception of people from other religions and most of the world upon Islam is quite distorted. Ever since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, an influx of discrimination and prejudice towards Islam and Muslims has spread throughout the world. In “Understanding Islam,” by Kenneth Jost, an article about several accounts of how Muslims are mistreated and stereotyped throughout the world, brings up a recent poll within the United States says that 45 percent of those surveyed has an unfavorable view of Islam. The article also states that a CBS poll in April 2006 found that 46 percent of those surveyed believe Islam encourages violence more than other religions. Westerners must recognize the need to combat the backlash of stereotypes and negativity towards Islam within the 21st century. In order to do so, we must first truly understand Islam by comprehending this unique faith and culture. In summation, the “Understanding Islam” article by Kenneth Jost, states various accounts of how Muslims and Islam has been misunderstood within the world today. The article starts off with an example of culture of Islam within the Western world. Aishah Azmi, a bilingual teaching assistant in Leeds, England, was suspended for not removing her veil that only reveals her eyes. School officials said this interfered with her ability to communicate with students. Most testimonials from Muslims advocated Azmi; Although England where Christianity is the predominant religion and her customs are seemed to be alien to most, it is “a Muslim woman’s right to dress as she feels appropriate, given her religious views,” says Ibrahim Hooper, director of communications for the Council on American Islamic relations in Washington. Kenneth Jost explains as the face-veil debate illustrates, the distrust stems
Islam is an ill-perceived religion throughout most of the Western world. Once known as a quiet and peaceful religion, the general perception of people from other religions and most of the world upon Islam is quite distorted. Ever since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, an influx of discrimination and prejudice towards Islam and Muslims has spread throughout the world. In “Understanding Islam,” by Kenneth Jost, an article about several accounts of how Muslims are mistreated and stereotyped throughout the world, brings up a recent poll within the United States says that 45 percent of those surveyed has an unfavorable view of Islam. The article also states that a CBS poll in April 2006 found that 46 percent of those surveyed believe Islam encourages violence more than other religions. Westerners must recognize the need to combat the backlash of stereotypes and negativity towards Islam within the 21st century. In order to do so, we must first truly understand Islam by comprehending this unique faith and culture. In summation, the “Understanding Islam” article by Kenneth Jost, states various accounts of how Muslims and Islam has been misunderstood within the world today. The article starts off with an example of culture of Islam within the Western world. Aishah Azmi, a bilingual teaching assistant in Leeds, England, was suspended for not removing her veil that only reveals her eyes. School officials said this interfered with her ability to communicate with students. Most testimonials from Muslims advocated Azmi; Although England where Christianity is the predominant religion and her customs are seemed to be alien to most, it is “a Muslim woman’s right to dress as she feels appropriate, given her religious views,” says Ibrahim Hooper, director of communications for the Council on American Islamic relations in Washington. Kenneth Jost explains as the face-veil debate illustrates, the distrust stems
Citations: Kenneth Jost, Understanding Islam, (Longdon, UK: McGraw Hill, 2005), 5 PewResearch, "Religious landscape Survey." Last modified August 2007. Accessed September 20, 2013. http://religions.pewforum.org/reports.