I am a muslim man who has a beard. Do you consider me a terrorist?

Question

I was raised a Christian, but converted to Islam 4 years ago. I personally see how non-muslim people judge muslims based on information they get out of the media without ever caring to evaluate the facts or history behind what is happening in the world. My own mother has told me I look like a terrorist even though I visit her regularly and have a good relationship with her. Before I knew anything about what islam teaches I believed the same things which those who are anti-islam say. It's obvious to me now how these stereotypes are driven mostly by emotions and hatred.

I would like to know what everyone thinks of what i have said as i am just as concerned about peace as anyone else but beleive peace must be for all people not just for people in powerful wealthy countries.

Answer 1

It's sad that so many people don't see with their own eyes, but rather what they've been taught by propoganda..It's clear by what you've written that you are gentle, thoughtful and kind. I apologize for the shallowness of those who insult you.

People who hide their own humanity behind an ego always feel they have something to prove. They are taught that it is heroic to hate their enemies. They've also been taught that their enemies are those who are different from them in appearance, language and religion. How ironic that they worship a man who told them to love their enemies. They honor his name, but not his teachings.

As you are probably aware, not all American's are arrogant and narrow-minded. Even those that are were not born that way. All humans are capable of hatred and stupidity. All of us are also capable of compassion and respect.

Perhaps someday all of humanity will outgrow violent aggression against others. Until that day, we will all have to endure terrorism, war and politics.

Answer 2

The reason to consider this, many such people with beard etc a terrorist, is due to the people like Osama Bin Laden and other Jihadi groups (their followers and adament fandamentalists) of Pakistan and Afgan.

I do not know the reason why did you change your faith, and its a personal issue, but what I can tell you is that every religion has become a stereotype of those who are powerful and can drive the hoard of their faith. So, its better to learn and understand each religion but not to be bound by anyone and change our outlook too as per any single religion.

Does it matter if you do not have beard and do not wear some traditional cloths which are particularly important for living in Arabs?

At last coming to your question. I do not care about your outfits but of course if some terrorist attack happens then generally the finger points to some SPECIAL "outfits and outlooks".

So, no matter what you believe in (Islam or christianity or Buddhism or Hinudism) you can do away with your beard if it makes you feel "Unsafe" at public places. Because what god sees is at your heart not what you wear, its the innocence of those who feel you are terrorist just because of your outfits.

Answer 3

OK - let's make it clear from the start that I am of a racial minority, although I am not a Muslim, so anything I say has to be taken within that context. Please also bear in mind that English is not my first language.

I can sympathise with Muslims to the extent that the media tends to concentrate on the extremist elements within the community and ignore the moderate element. This is unfair and unrepresentative of the Muslim community who, as a whole, simply want to lead a sensible, normal life and get on with the rest of the world.

However it cannot be denied that the extremist element exists, and it exists everywhere that there are Muslim communties of any real size. Extremism is spread by the recruitment of (mainly) young men who are at the lower end of the socio-economic scale who see it as a way of attaining equality or superioirity of socio-economic goals and the 'intelligentsia' such as university students whose intellect is piqued by the thought of becoming part of what is essentially a revolution. The most dangerous part, though, is the brainwashing of the people who become terrorists into believing that they are doing God's work.

There are obvious parallels here. One only has to look at the rise of communism, the Ku Klux Klan in the USA and the National Socialist party in 1920's Germany to see the background similarities in social conditions, although it is true that religion was not always such an important factor. My belief is that in this case the religious aspect of Islam is being used as a tool by the extremists for brainwashing naive, idealistic young men into becoming what they believe to be God's holy warriors, but most people would consider terrorists.

So what are the moderate Muslims doing about this? Well, not enough, obviously. Few moderate Muslims are prepared to admit that extremism is a cancer in their community, and do anything about stamping it out. Quite whether they think that they will be offending God by doing so, or whether they are just plain intimidated by these thugs is not known, but the fact remains that they have so far been allowed to spread their hatred virtually unchecked within Muslim communities across the world.

Extremism cannot survive and prosper without the support of the idigenous population. The classic example of this is the Ku Klux Klan who have been reduced from a dangerous, vicious, racist organisation with widespread public support to an anachronism capable only of petty acts of spite. They were emasculated by public pressure, and if Muslims take their courage in their hands they can, too, combat the extremism within their culture.

Answer 4

I don't think you are a terrorist if you are Muslim. Be happy that God Almighty is with you and protects you from evil eyes. Anyway, no offense but everyone would say yes as they would only get their info from the media and political murderers. I don't get it. If a Muslim Man leaves a beard on they are a terrorist but if a Jewish Man leaves a beard because it is their custom to leave the beard. I am not against any religion and I believe that if people are happy the way they practice then it is fine. Salaam....

Answer 5

I would not fear that you are a terrorist or think you look like one. Terrorists all beards and are all Muslims? I do not believe that to be true! Anyone out in the world could be a terrorist, whether Muslim or non Muslim, bearded or not bearded. I think it would be wrong to judge you or anyone who believes in a religion other than Christianity as being a bad person or possible terrorist. That is just stereotyping and I do not believe you can judge every Muslim man as being just like the men who attacked the WTC and the White House. I do not think you can take any one situation in history and decide to hold the entire race, religion, creed, sex, etc. as being at fault.

Answer 6

I have friends from all different religions & no I do not think having a beard makes you a terrorist.

The only thing I believe in is being FREE. I do not care who you are and what you follow & least of all what your hair style preferences are..!!!

As regards to Islam,.. I have learnt about Islam quiet throghly from my many Muslim friends & yes it is a very nice religion. Infact if you see some of the teachings of Islam can be considered to be more socially open to women than even Christianity!

Honestly speaking,.. people need to differentiate between GODs teachings and the teachings on MAN! Throughout time man has used the name of God to cause bloodshed and gain power. This is the fact you & me see and not fiction written in books.

And anyways if God is creator of the universe & his presence is everywhere... why do you need a medium like religion to be with God? And why do you need a certain way to do things? Lets respect Gods gift of life by being free of all these man made things like religion.

It is better to just let go of all religions and be one with GOD instead.

Answer 7

are you a muslim or christian?? I am confused. I understand if you look like a terriost (The stereotypes) but what does a terriost look like, terriost just don't belong to Iraq there are some in Ireland IRA there are some in Scotland/England nearly every country as terriost. The only reason people know about terriost is because of the 9/11 bombing killing lots of people. So for the moment you are stuck with the hostile ways. I hope it gets better for you. Not everybody things all muslims are the same but it is difficult for the most. (I am so thick today i can't write)

Answer 8

I'm sorry to hear that you merely moved from one superstition to another. However, with reference to the beard, if you really feel that any godlet really cares about your facial attire then go ahead. Don't misunderstand, I don't hate mohommedans (yes, I use the term deliberately since mohommed invented allah in the first place, OK. based on primitive belief in earlier supernatural dictators). the point is that all religion is anti-social and dangerous. It's also all completely fallacious, being based on the beliefs of uneducated peasants and encouraged by priests who wanted power over them. Belief in religion is the same as belief in "fairies at the bottom of the garden" - psychiatric hospitals are full of believers in both. So, going back to the beard. Have one or not. It makes no difference. Be a terrorist or not - that certainly DOES! Regarding you last statement about peace. I agree. We should all live at peace. However, as long as each god thing insists that he/she/it is god and all others are imposters whose followers should be exterminated, how is such a thing possible.
BtW, I have a beard too, but I chose to grow it because I like the look of it, not because a dictator told me to. Surprisingly, its growth hasn't affected my brain in any way, so I wan't a terrorist before and I'm not now. Merely as my name suggests, a rationalist.

Answer 9

No, I don't think you're a terrorist because you have a beard, or because you're muslim. The people we're told perpetrated the crimes of 11th September were largely clean shaven, if I recall correctly. The nicest, kindest, most decent man I ever met in my life was a bearded muslim, and I reckon it was his devotion and faith that informed his character and made him the man he was.

However, it's not that surprsing that some people, foolish and misguided though they may be, do think along such stereotypical lines. We all stereotype to a degree, and in my experience muslims are just as guilty of this as any other sector of society. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen comments on this site from young muslims to the effect that western girls who show a lot of flesh are 'slags'. This line of thought is just as flaccid as the "bearded muslim = terrorist" idea.

Edit: Candi_K (below) is a prime example. He takes the comments of a few people on this site and extrapolates it to the entirety of western society. Which is exactly the same sort of sloppy thinking that the questioner is getting at.

However, by far the worst damage to Islam comes from supposed muslims like al-Zarqawi who behead old men on video in the name of Islam. I know that these nutjobs have a completely perverted view of your religion, but given that is the case, why aren't there millions on the march throughout the muslim world chanting "Not in our name", in a similar manner to the millions of westerners who demonstrated against the war in Iraq. It's the lack of such popular anti-fanatic sentiment on the muslim street that scares the crap out of people.

Answer 10

many terrorists r also clean shaved. i know keeping a beard is a religious reason for muslims but i think it has become a way 2 represent urself as a muslim.it has become more of a way 2 appear and show ur faithfulness 2wards islam.
when islam was originated it was hard 2 remove beard , it could b the reason behind keeping beard.
same way islam originated in arab where there is a scarcity of water, this might b another reason 4 keeping beard.

Answer 11

I am an atheist & personally, I think you can find good & bad in every group of people, whether you group them by nationality, religion, colour or whatever. Just because someone is different from me in some way, doesn't necessarily make them a better or worse person than I am. I also think you can never judge anyone unless you first know all the facts.

I just wish the rest of the world thought the same.