Muslims and the 5 Questions

[bemildred]

Somebody named Dennis Prager wrote a frankly bigotted op-ed for the LA Times asking "Muslims" 5 questions. The questions are fairly easy to answer in themselves, but the stupidity of the whole framework is what is objectionable. Why is it that our media personalities cannot think their way out of a paper bag? Why don't high school civics courses alert them that there might be a problem with stereotyping everyone that you categorize as belonging to a particular group?

Prager begins his "questions" directed, apparently at all 1.3 billion Muslims in the world, by referring to the recent riots in France. He is thus framing his questions with the implication that those Muslims are all trouble-makers and have something to answer for. But the alienated in-between young African- and North African-French are mostly not very involved in religion and a lot of them couldn't tell you how to pray to save their lives.

Prager's first question is why "Muslims" are so "quiet" (implied is: "about terrorism emanating from other Muslims"). Of course, Muslims have been anything but quiet about terrorism and all sorts of Muslim leaders and groups have repeatedly condemned it. Muslims haven't been "quiet." Prager hasn't been listening.

Informed Comment

LA Times OpEd Piece referenced:

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-op-prager13nov13,0,1142056.story?track=mostemailedlink

[More Than A Feeling]

1. Always good to have a detailed reminder

why stereotyping is wrong. Especially when there is already so much misunderstanding in the world already.

[PsychoDad]

2. Good article.

You hear that alot.

"Why don't Muslims speak out against terrorism"? The fact is that we do, as individuals and as Islamic orginizations. There have even been demonstrations here in America against terror.

Problem is, it hardly ever makes the media, if ever. But if the one asking would simply do a google on the Islamic position toward terror, they would find a Muslim response.

Peace.

[plasticwidow]

3. Of Noteworthy Interest...

Salaam alaykum.

What I find really interesting, is the last time my husband went on Jummat (not sure about the spelling, but it refers to a group of Muslims... usually consisting of 3 to 10 Muslims, who travel or work together in the cause of Allah, they travel to Masjids/Mosques and pray together with others at the different Masjids/Mosques, get involved in activities, etc. - the purpose of the Jummat is to share information, strengthen and unify the different Muslim communities and Mosques/Masjids, to learn and to help others.)

I was told many of the brothers who he met and spent time with talked about current events and the so called "Muslims" and the perspective of American people in general, and our government and he found out that there are many many Muslims just in the surrounding area who are very upset and voiced their concerns over the untruths and misconceptions that this is Islam. They are not happy with many things. Muslims are in contact with each other, try to stay well-informed, and share their knowledge with each other. And they do voice their concerns and upsetment over many issues today. One of those things, is how the media covers Islam, Muslims, and current events.

I look forward to his next Jummat, and what else I will be learning.

Peace!
:hi:

[Violet_Crumble]

4. This was posted on another forum which I used to visit...

I gave up when I spotted a few DUers who also post there announcing that they couldn't seen any bigotry in the article at all...

Violet...

[plasticwidow]

5. Viewpoints

One usually doesn't find one's own viewpoint offensive. It is, unfortunately, something that we meet all the time face to face sometimes in our everyday lives. People don't realize that their viewpoints are biased, bigoted or closeminded. And you can talk to them "blue in the face" so to speak without any progress to enlightening them to the reality and the facts of the issues at hand. This is the kind of attitudes we meet everyday, as Muslims. All we can do is try to bring understanding and leave the rest to Allah (swt). We must try though, and I'm glad your here with us violet. Hope to see more of your opinions and posts here as this new group grows here on DU. :)

Peace to you!