i realized something about myself when it comes to muslims - please read?

Question

i consider myself to be inclusive and non discriminative against others for their religions, but recently i have done some travelling and was asked a question, and my own answer troubled me.

a coworker asked if i would be worried if a muslim was flying the plane. i admit that i would have fearful thoughts of getting on that plane, but it wouldn't stop me from actually getting on.

so i'm curious, does anyone else feel this way?

i am fully aware that most muslims are great people and i really mean no disrespect, i'm just being honest.

also, is there anything that muslims can do to help people stop thinking negatively about them?

i understand that every religious group has done horrible things in the name of religion. but since this one was very recent and very extreme, it's still very fresh in my mind. i assume that most muslims are great people, why wouldn't they be, and i have known a few but only on aquaintance basis at work etc. before 9/11 it would not have mattered to me if a muslim flew my plane because i was not aware of their extremist views. 9/11 made me aware. seeing that second plane "live" flying into the building and witnessing those deaths, so close to home (i live in ontario) really left a mark. i guess that was their intent.

fact is, i would not shy away from being friends with a muslim and i'm not proud that i worry about the pilot being muslim, but that's just how i feel.

Answer 1

Somehow, the religion of the pilot makes no difference to me. Its the religion of the terrorist that worries me....

Answer 2

I appreciate your way of asking questions regarding Muslims without sounding like youre descriminating.
But can I ask you 1 thing? Do you know any Muslims? Or how many do you know? How well do you know them? After 911, I didn't want to fly, period. But being a Muslim myself, knowing that not all of my people are like that- why shouldn't I continue to fly? But i'm able to solve that problem easily for myself because I HAVE in fact been exposed to other muslims, and i know them very well. They're compassionate, loving, caring, and i like their company. Also, I grew up in America. Sometimes, I really hate how Muslims are being described in the media, on the internet, and all the like because most of it contradicts the truth. Even I can't relate to those characteristics that they frame "all" the muslims with. So how can they be so sure that they're right?
After 911, Muslims have been under the spotlight nonstop but now things are being completely distorted. But before 911, did you feel that way about Muslims? Were you ever afraid of flying if the pilot was a Muslim before? How many 911's actually happened? I say 1.
But if you go to the middle east, America has been under the spotlight for ages, long b4 911. And thats because of the way they're also being exposed in the media.
I see a lot of support for the Iraq war, but I have yet to see some evidence that this war is being carried out under facts. And if not me, the Iraqi's certainly deserve to know what that fact is because reality check, they're dying in large numbers everyday. They're suffering because of what somebody else did. My Iraqi friend who lived here in the us, her aunt and two sisters were raped in Iraq, by an American soldier. Her aunt and sisters now live in Lebanon. And you know what their opinions are? They say that ALL the us soldiers are rapists, killers, and a-holes. What they suffered was wrong, by any standard. What ny suffered, was wrong by any standard. But the sad thing is, lies and deception travel faster than the truth. That's why, if the media say we should fear, we fear. If it says that we shouldn't- we don't.

If you look into history, every race and religion has played a role in violence. But i know, as well as others for a fact that a few bad seeds do not represent everyone. Would you agree that all the us soldiers are rapists and killers? Would u say that all Christians are killers because of the crusades? constantine? KKK? the slavery? the native Americans? and now Iraq?

By the way, my uncle is a pilot. He works for AA. And you know what, He's muslim. Are you scared now? Actually, don't be. He's a cool guy, and he loves the Raymond show. We're normal people honey, it's your media that's driving your people looney.

Answer 3

I would be just fine getting on a plane being flown by a Muslim, thank you very much. Most Muslims are perfectly nice people who follow a mantra of peace and acceptance as they are taught in their scriptures.

And no, there is virtually nothing that they can do to make people stop thinking negatively about them. The people who are so closed-minded as to assume they are evil or terrorists are unfortnately almost always unwilling to listen to reason when Muslims or others try to educate them. It is up to those who think these irrational things to realize that there is a difference between a Muslim and a radical Muslim.

Answer 4

I thought as you and I trusted everyone until a couple days after 9/11. I worked with a muslim man I considered my friend. We ate lunch together all the time and talked extensively about all kinds of things. We even knew each other's family.

Days after 9/11 that all changed when he sat across from me during lunch and said, you do realize, my failth comes before my friendship. Don't know exactly what he meant by that, but that was the end of our friendship.

Answer 5

Myself, I'm more afraid of the plane catching a down draft and crashing then I am about Muslims. But I reckon that's because one of my good friends is a Muslim. So I don't tend to associate Islam with planes being hijacked.

Answer 6

If that's how you feel, I suggest you stay well away from roads.
About 100 Americans are killed every day on the roads.
Almost all by non-Muslims.

You're at much greater risk driving to the airport than on the plane.
That's not to say there is no terrorist risk.
But part of the counter to it is to put it in proportion.

Answer 7

Theres nothing Muslims can do to change peoples thoughts or convictions.

Mainly because only people can change their minds if they want to, and that takes place when they have open and free minds.

Im for mutual respect and love and all but am not for apologetical behaviour.

Answer 8

Personally, I take no offense from that statement. As a Muslim, I am proud to stand against the terrorists as fiercely as anyone else.

Answer 9

Everyone has gotto realize and understand that not all Muslims are terrorists.
People shouldn't blame every Muslim for the actions of a few sick individuals. I ain't blaming every German person for hitler's actions.

Answer 10

well, the way i look at it, if it's your time, it's your time, wether you die in your sleep, or in a plane crash...that may sound stupid, but it casts down a lot of my fears about stuff like that...i sleep with my doors unlocked, go to the mall at night, etc...