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Page last edited on 13 April, 2003
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Get Rid of False Stereotyping and
Misconceptions
It is a fact that Islam
receives a most Hostile media coverage. It is not difficult to see that
Muslim's are being falsely stereotyped as a threat to the "New World
Order". The articles in this section are a starting point in clearing
some of the nonsense.
Mahatma Gandhi, in his inimitable style, says "Some one has said that Europeans in South Africa dread the advent
Islam- Islam that civilized Spain, Islam that took the torch light to Morocco and preached to the world the Gospel of
brotherhood. The Europeans of South Africa dread the Advent of Islam. They may claim equality with the white races. They may well dread it, if brotherhood is a sin. If it is equality of colored races then their dread is well
founded."
Stereotyping
Miss. Sarojini Naidu speaking about
the brotherhood of Islam says,
"It was the first religion that preached and practiced
democracy; for in the mosque, when the minaret is sounded and the worshipers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and the king kneel side by side and proclaim, "God alone is great." The great poetess of India continues " I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes a man instinctively a
brother. When you meet an Egyptian, an Algerian and Indian and a Turk in London, it matters not that Egypt is the motherland of one and India is the motherland of
another."
Myths
- Women Inferior to Men in
IslaM ?
: Get over this myth that women are in any way belittled in
Islam. Facilitating ease and honor for women always remained a priority
in Islam, restored to women their rightly deserved honour & dignity
in society, it declared them equal companions to men in all respects, it
gave them share in property, gave them right to divorce, encouraged
remarriage of widows, right to earn, right to learn at a time (14
centuries ago!) when a girl child was buried alive for no other reason
than their unjust preference for a male child. If certain Muslim
societies today are denying women their rights, it is despite of Islam's
just commands. However, it must be recognised that Men and Women are
created in a different but complementary nature by God, so that they act
as perfect companions to one another. Hence, their roles &
responsibilities vary, but this in no way makes any one of them smaller
to the other. More on Women in Islam can be read in the section Sisters Pages ( Women in Islam ).
- A religion of Terror ?
The Western mind has been taught to believe that Islam is a
religion of Terror. Learn the Truth of the matter in this article.
- How did Islam spread?
Some people are under the misconception that Islam spread at the point
of Sword. This false notion overlooks that the message of universal
brotherhood and justice brought by Islam and its practice by Muslims has
always strongly appealed positively to the oppressed, to the
economically or socially deprived sections of society, and to
innumerable unbiased thinking minds.
- Tolerance in Islam
This article by Marmaduke Pickthall brings into focus the tolerance
exhibited by Muslims throughout history even after the horrendous
crusades which were launched upon them. Islam preaches that there is NO
COMPULSION IN RELIGION, and commands that people following other ways of
life (religion) must be treated kindly and with justice and fairness.
- Islam & Freedom of Thought
From 'Islam - The Misunderstood Religion' by Muhammad Kutub.
- WHY
PEOPLE CONVERT TO ISLAM (external link) : "No other religion in history spread so rapidly as Islam"... The
West has widely believed that this surge of religion was made possible
by the sword. But no modern scholar accepts that idea, and the Quran is
explicit in support of the freedom conscience." ISLAM - THE
MISUNDERSTOOD RELIGION, READERS' DIGEST (American Edition) May 1955.
[GOTO
Why People Convert to Islam] (external link] which contains articles from converts
and show the 'Sword of Islam' FORCING people to accept Islam to be a
Myth.
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NOTE : More topics on Myths and Stereotyping are in the
process to be added in this section. Visit soon for more.
* pbuh - Peace be upon him; It is a
Muslim practise to convey prayers of peace whenever the name of Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) and other prophets is taken. |
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