Muslim Stereotypes?

Question

This question is especially for those who have never to been to an Arab or Muslim country! I'd like to know what people from different countries think of Muslims. I hear a lot of racist comments and stereo types. Do some people actually think Muslim and terrorist is the same thing? Anyone thinks that ALL Arabs are Muslims? Does anyone think that Arabs still ride camels( i heard that one before), live in tents, and that ALL Muslim women are all covered in black from head to toe? I wana hear some stereotypes you have! Really curious to know what some people think.
**Im a Christian living in an Arab and Muslim country so for the record... I myself dont have these stereotypes.

Answer 1

Most stereotypes are spread like rumors, and passed on by others so these people can fit in, start a discussion, or externalize fears they may have of the unknown. I have known many Muslims, and like ANY group of people, I liked some, and disliked others-but I liked most of them. I was engaged to a Persian woman at the time, but I do not feel this made my opinions biased of these group of people as a whole, as she was Baha'ai

Answer 2

I'm an Indian muslim female living in South Africa. I don't wear a scarf, but i do dress conservatively. I work at a reputable firm, earn a very comfortable salary and i don't consider myself (or many others i know) to fit into the typical, incorrect stereotype of the "poor, oppressed Muslim female". We know our rights and are very happy with our belief system and the way we've been raised.

I'm not a terrorist and i feel hurt when people stereotype us. Because of this country's history, there has been a lot of programs to educate eachother on different cultures and religions. Here, we're better informed, more tolerant and more accepting of race and religion.

I feel especially sorry for those people in other countries who are persecuted for their beliefs by ignorant people simply because they are easily identifiable as muslims by the way their choose to dress. It's not fair.

Answer 3

I shouldn't be answering this since I lived in Islamic countries for over 20 years (Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Iran.)
But many/most of the stereotypes can be blamed on the media, especially movies & TV. In addition, particularly in the USA, there's considerable ignorance about Islam, the many different Arab cultures and non-Arab Islamic cultures.
And, of course, it works both ways. My experience was that most Muslims had very stereotyped notions of Western culture in general and of the USA specifically, almost all of which could be attributed to confusing the fiction of Hollywood and TVland with reality.

Answer 4

For the millionth time people Muslims are not all terrorists. terrorism isn't a nationality or a religion. not all Muslims people where black from head to toe. I'm married to a Muslim and think that they are the best people.

Answer 5

I don't think we all have the same stereotype opinion of Arabs because if it were so then we would have been at war a long time ago. Not just these little mini wars but a major house cleaning.

Answer 6

I'm a Muslim American and I personally love the stereotypes because they couldn't be farther from the truth.
The majority of Muslims come from Southeast Asia and Africa NOT THE MIDDLE EAST.

Here is a good example of unintentional stereotyping in America:
The tyra banks talkshow was doing a special about racism and had a "Middle Eastern category". She split the audience up into their respective "races" and when they cut to the "middle eastern" section.....everyone was confused.
BARELY ANY OF THEM WERE MIDDLE EASTERN.
They were African American, Chinese American, White American, Indian/Paki American.
But they were all wearing hijaab (head scarf).

Even on a show trying to break racism/stereotypes Tyra Banks show says all Muslim girls are Arab. What a bunch of crap

***For those that wish to continue spreading misinformation about Islam (like quoting out of context Quranic verses) UNDERSTAND YOU ARE DOING THE SAME THING AL-QAEDA IS DOING. THEY MAKE THE SAME ARGUMENTS AS YOU!

How does it feel to think like a terrorist?

Answer 7

Respect

Answer 8

Muslims in general are fine. What pisses me off is the western muslim.... the muslim that goes out and gets drunk, shags around, spunge off the British economy and live the British way. They also go around in gangs of them intimidating people. The western/british muslim thinks that they are from the ghetto somewhere in america and speak like they are on a rap record. They also carry knifes about. So what pisses me off the most is they 1) claim they are muslim and understand it 2)move to areas in towns/cities where they are all one community with no intention of integrationy 3) moan about the west and Britain.

If you don't like it, don't live it! Respect the country you live rather than abuse England like you currently are!

Answer 9

Most 'stereotypes' (as you call them) have a basis in reality and truth, that's why they become stereotypes. (a PC-based, overused word, if there ever was one.)

I don't think all muslims are terrorists, but their religion does teach that if they sacrifice themselves for allah, they will go immediatly to their paradise, so there is a great incentive on them to do so. I saw a woman in a store the other day, and she
WAS covered from head-to-toe, but not in all-black.

Answer 10

well to me it's not that all muslims are terrorits, it's the terrorist are muslim, the one's that are from 9-11, otherwise there are a lot of stereotypes about every race and religion.