Why do people think that if you hava arabic name that means you are muslim?

Question

I have a very mixed family (muslim and christian), although I was raised christian I foun islam to suite me better.

I hava few couzins with arabic names like Yumna,Shahida, Al-Zaida, Zain,etc.And they are not muslim. And I don't live in a Arabic country

yes i hav met alot of muslims that don't hav arabic lastnames

Answer 1

The majority of people name their children for the religion/culture that they are a part of. This ideal has become ingrained for many people the world over. So when parents pick out a name because it sounds nice or they like the meaning, but are not part of that culture, most people just assume that they can see everything about that person based on his/her name. It isn't right and makes people look rather silly, but is indicative of the herd mentality that people have.

In your family's case, it's very understandable that you have some cousins with Arabic names that are not Muslim. It must be difficult for them to have to correct people every time someone looks at their names and assumes they're Muslim.

Answer 2

I totally know what you mean! A great deal of my friends have arabic names, but they practice another religion and i've actually been there when people make the assumption that based on their name, they're muslim! For example, my friend Prediip and i were chatting the other day during a coffee break and someone offered him a chip, then she immediately retracts the bag and goes, "Oh wait, you're fasting for Ramadan. Sorry." He's Taoist for crying out loud!

Answer 3

An Arabic name is a muslim name actually nowadays evry1 has muslim names they take it as a style or fashion anyways allah is not less powerful, even if u call him by any name in any language i agree an arabic name does not make any1 more or less muslim Pari (angel) was Nida LOL

Answer 4

its called stereo typing . The majority of the Arabs in the world are in fact Muslim's so they naturally assume that if
one has an Arabic surname they must be Muslim's. But as
you know there are always exceptions to every rule and
those that are wiser in the ways of the world would do better
to refrain from making such stereo typical assumptions
and simply ask what religion your faith is devoted to.

Answer 5

I think it has something to do with the muslims being arabic. And not everyone knows, that not all arabics are muslims, just as not all muslims are arabic... The people you are referring to are looking at those with arabic names as a stereotype.

Answer 6

Because people are ignorant. I know many Arabs who are Christians since I go to a church that has a service in Arabic. Hopefully these stereotypes will change.

Answer 7

it is inherent stereotyping. the majority of muslims come from indonesia, but no one seems to realise this. my neighbor is egyptian. he has what some consider a 'muslim' name, but he is christian. it is simply a name in arabic, which is the language of many countries. some muslims outside the arabic specter do name their children with 'arabic' names, but it is not necessarily so. you can have an 'english' name like john, but still be jewish. i even have a friend named jon who is muslim! it's just a name. it doesn't represent your self as much as one may believe.

Answer 8

its called name recognition people see or hear something and take it for granted like a person with a last name in Arabic must mean that the person is a Muslim or like when a person says Jesus Christ that doesn't mean that they are religious

Answer 9

That is what most people see on the news, so they automatically make the assumption that Arabic names=Muslim.

Answer 10

Because most people with arabic names are muslims...