How do you feel around Muslims?

Question

On my job and places when I meet people I get along well with them until they ask my name. When they hear my Muslim name it seems like they act differently. On my job it seems like people don't know how to approach me. I am friendly and live a normal life. Why is it akward to approach someone who is different. I have my own idea, but looking for actual people thoughts.

Answer 1

I feel fine, but I have noticed, they are not nearly as friendly when they are in groups, as they are individually. Perhaps there is social pressure on them to keep separate as well.

Answer 2

You don't say where you're from - USA? Britain?
I can't speak for everywhere but in Britain at the moment, the media and the government are working in cahoots to promote and encourage anti-islamism amongst the white populus. (OK that may be a little extreme but it sure feels like it at the moment!)
The newspapers practically use Muslim as a byword for fundamentalist now - which is convenient for our PM because an increasing climate of racism and religious and cultural intolerance camouflages his shocking war crimes.
I'm white British and ashamed as hell of it. When I'm around Muslims (which isn't often, the area I'm from isn't very diverse) I feel a paralysing sense of embarrassment and referred guilt. I want to express my solidarity but don't know how - I'm afraid to offend. I've been thinking of taking the veil as a gesture of empathy. What do you think?

Answer 3

Media plays a very important role in some people's lives...and in the wrong way too! Since the media portrays nearly every single muslim as a terrorist, people start to let the media overtake them. I personally have no problem whatsoever being around muslims.

Answer 4

I think that there is the terrorist stigma attached to Islam by some people. The media doesn't help dispel the myths either. I have Muslim friends and I feel comfortable with them, the same way I do with anyone else.

Answer 5

I'm an older, returning student, and other than the "kids" in my major who I see regularly, most of my freinds and acquaintances are International students, including muslims. I find them to be very nice, warm, friendly and caring people, which is more than I can say for a noticeable (but not necessarily a majority) percentage of the suburban white kids here.

Answer 6

the two Muslims and Jews experience greater effective mutually . They proportion a large number of issues particularly whilst it includes food and customs even of their languages there are multiple similarities . there is a large number of mutual expertise between them . rather , whilst peace prevails contained in the middle East the expectancies of huge prosperity is rather severe Jews are very plenty relied on via Muslims different than for the grotesque war of words in Palestine that seems to be fed from superpowers . in any different case they the two comprehend that they are sufferers of aggression .

Answer 7

Asalaamu ailikum, Brother.

I am a convert to Islam. I have absolutely NO problem when I meet a Muslim. Most of my near and dear are either Muslim, Rrom or Rrom/Muslim! However, I am of the Sufi school so you and I already have a few differences LOL. Would I hold it between us? NO... we are all human and bleed red.

I am proud that you do not "anglicize" your name as many do. Let me find a link to a hilarious skit on this very topic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN348SxeayA&feature=PlayList&p=FEF305762BF568A2&index=5
UMMAH films . Muslims in the Workplace.

The whole Ummah series is very amusing. I often use it for dawa purposes because typical Muslim issues are brought up with humour and respect with no quotes to scare them off!

Remember, my friend, this is a country of people who are told that Muslims are nothing more than terrorists. The hoi poloi see their society eroding around them and have been given an official scapegoat by their government.

http://americanpressinstitute.org/content/395.cfm?sects=Managing%20And%20Reporting%20a%20News%20Crisis&template=details&id=395
Beyond scapegoats and stereotypes

There is a lovely little Canadian programme that went on the air in a test pilot last January called Little Mosque on the Prairie. It is a very cute programme and a wonderful attempt to paint Muslims as Muslims in a small prairie town. It is very amusing and well done. No one watching it will ever think of Muslim women as being downtrodden! It breaks the stereotypes with gentle humour and is completely within proper Islamic moral guidelines.

Basically it involves the conflicts that arise between the Christians and the Muslims who share the same building for worship. The budding relationship of support between the Minister (Played by an old friend of mine) and the gorgeous young Imam (mm I wish he was a friend of mine.... ) is very cute and one could only wish what happens in real life. Humor is one of the best ways to dull the blade of racism.

The show has taken off and the writers of another famous comedy show all left that vehicle and have joined the cast of Little Mosque for the next season.

http://www.cbc.ca/littlemosque/

HANNAH, rather than take the veil, just be nice and open with people you meet. Be yourself, that is all that is required. All smiles are appreciated. You are NOT responsible for others, you are only responsible for yourself. The only way you would be responsible would be by complicity ... letting a racist joke slide, or a slur. Just gently speak up. Your government as is the US purposefully doing its best to provoke the Muslims into attacking. This is WAR. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on the issues by IGNORING the public media and digging into other sources to be found on line. If you want any suggestions, email me and I will gladly share with you.

BEN. When I became Muslim it made not an iota of difference to those around me. I never bothered to become fanatical because that is just sooo off putting. It builds walls rather than tears them down. I began to obey all the rules but incorporated them QUIETLY into my life. If I went to dinner and pork was on the menu, I just did not fork it onto my plate and had a bit of cheese or whatever. I simply substituted juice or perrier for booze. etc etc. It is NOT supposed to be difficult! When asked about the scarf, I would give a very simple easy answer, rather than go on and on about modesty and virtue. It is as hard and isolating as one makes it. I figure, by being natural, I have more opportunities for dawa because people ask me questions and we can have discussions, rather that Pro Islamic rants. Much more effective.

Answer 8

As long as any person respects my non-religious, new age spirituality, then I can respect their right to believe in whatever they choose. I will not agree with you, and I will not discuss these matters with you, but I will not judge you for holding different beliefs. I will regard you as I regard any other person, and evaluate my feelings toward you, whether I like you or I don't, based solely on your individual personality and character, and how your personality and character resonate with my personality and character! *sm*

Answer 9

i am feal fine around them, I've gotten to know a few middle eastern muslims who are friendly people with a coll personality.

Answer 10

I'm not going to lie. They make me feel quite uneasy.

I have a friend who converted to Islam, and now we have nothing to talk about anymore because every other thing is a sin - meat, beer, and even most music. Plus I'm always worrying that he'll be offended by something I say.

If other people find him as boring and annoying as I do, he's probably very lonely person now.