Dear Non-Muslims-- A question for you?

Question

Scenerio: You meet someone and they seem pretty nice. You talk and get to know them and become friends. After a few meetings he/she tells you they are a Muslim (considering the sister was not wearing hijab).

Would you start seeing them differently? Would you start seeing that Muslims are peace loving, God fearing folks?

This is not an absurd scenerio, in fact I know a lot of you would accept them even if you already knew they were Muslims. Is it possible that people can look away from the distorted view of Islam shown by the media.. and if not accept, atleast embrace that Islam is one of peace?

All opinions are welcome. Whether you agree with me or not. Lies are temporary while truth prevails.

Before it was the Blacks, Then the Jews, The Asians etc.. Now Muslims. How long will this last? History repeats itself. Lets stop this intolerance now.

Marianne T--
May Allah/God Guide you.

Answer 1

I've met and worked with many people who are Muslims, and I've never had a problem. It was easier before this media deluge of "terrorists are living among us" and all the politics of fear. But I was always taught to look at the person and don't rush to judge. So try my hardest to do that with whomever I meet. (I had a basic understanding of Islam as a child and that helps as well.)

I know that, as a Christian, I do not want people to judge or define me by the hateful, cruel 'Christians' that are so easily found, but rather, by what I do and how much Christ shines through me.

I don't agree with a lot of Islam, and I don't believe that it is the way, but I will never take a person and degrade or discount them because that is what they believe.

Answer 2

I am a muslim. But i do not have the patience to read what other said. I will just ask this do we muslims have the patience and go and kill innocent people in the name of what ever that terrorist say they do. Geez,where in Quran did we find the verse that says kill innocent people in the name of the religion or decapitate and show the world what fool you make yourself. Where do muslims get all this time to do this hedious things when a musilm should be busy praying. Isnt that why we were sent to earth. Then why do we think more of the world, Here i will show you the surah which i believe was not only ment for others but for us muslims too! 102.Surah At-Takathur (The Piling up) In the name of Allah, Most Gracious , Most Merciful 1. The mutual rivalry For pillin up (the good things Of this world) diverts you (From the more serious things), 2. Until you visit the graves. 3. But no, you soon shall Know (the reality). 4. Again, you soon shall know! 5. No, were you to know With certainty of mind, (You would beware!) 6. You shall certainly see Hell-fire! 7. Again you shall see it With certainty of sight! 8. Then you shall be Questioned that Day About the joy (You Indulged in!). My question is where do all these extremist get all this time to plan their attacks if they are so busy with their prayers and reading the meanings of Quran.!!! IS it not our duty to bring back our brothers and sister(who bares such hate for others, forgetting that It is Allah who has created us all and he is to decide what is to happen to us) back to the right path. Why are we forgetting the teachings of Quran and misinterpreting the wrong!! Is it right to teach some one how to read Quran with out telling him the meaning on what he is reading. Then what is the difference between us and a parrot that can only repeat. If we want peace so badly, then it depends on both the muslims and the non-muslims and how they treat each other.

Answer 3

If it was Jews before, then why do Muslims immensley despise Jews? I wouldn't put Muslims on the submissive-defensive side as Blacks, Jews, Asians because non of these races have ever targeted an American site by killing a large number of civilians (9/11). Throughout many years, muslims have proved a threat to the American culture once tasting the life of America by living here and turning on this country. Have you heard any other race trying to constantly terrorize USA on a large scale?. Not many, if non at all. For example Israel (Jews) versus Palestine(Muslims)? I think religion should not play a factor into friendship however, because we must strip away ourselves of boundaries which deprives us of getting along as human beings all together. I am not saying all Muslims are evil, especially the women are not evil, but when a Muslim man gets mad, look out heads will be flying. He could lie in front of your face, then ambush you and call it in the name of God. I truly believe many problems in this world today are because of too submissive and/or too dominant people.

Answer 4

If that ever were to happen to me, it wouldn't really matter. Probably, one thing I would think of is, the suffering her/his people are going through.

But when you say this comment. . . . . .
"Before it was the Blacks, Then the Jews, The Asians etc.. Now Muslims. How long will this last? History repeats itself. Lets stop this intolerance now."
-I personally think it also Hispanics/Latinos (if you see it from the side of America) because of the defaming, degrading of the Mexican people because of the immigration problem in the US, but yes, what most Muslims are going through here in the US and everywhere else in the world, i hope, somehow gets better.

Answer 5

Great question! Hope you get some serious answers.

This has happened to me several times, but normally I have some idea that the person may be Muslim before he mentions it - you kind of have it in the back of your mind when you meet a person of Pakistani, Persian or Arab descent. But there have been surprises there, too - met a Zoroastrian Persian lady once.

If the person is well-read in the holy books and able to speak intelligently about their faith, we can have some great discussions.

We are careful not to argue, seeking more to understand than to be understood, not expecting to change the other person. Under this understanding great dialog and friendship can develop - it's called respect.

I've had two Muslim friends like this and they are a joy to be with. Of course both are also scientists.

Answer 6

2 things.1- In N.Y.C. the store next to mine was manned by all Muslims. We knew that and befriended them because they were wonderful people. Islam, Judaism, Christianity, it did not matter. What mattered was their actions. 2- Please don't pretend that radical Islam is not a cancer on the world. All religious zealots are a cancer. It was Muslims that crashed those planes into the world trade center. As long as these radical lunatics of any religion are going to do these things there will always be religious persecution.

Answer 7

First, as for me, I don't care who you are or what you believe. I am no better than anyone else on this planet. If there is a connection between myself and another person, I can be friendly with that person no matter their race, religion, etc.

Having said that, you must understand the perspective of others. When people who profess a religion, commit murder and violent acts of terrorism in the name of that religion, it is natural to be skeptical of that religion.

The same could be said for professing "christians" who blow up abortion clinics, priests that abuse children, etc.

The fact is that there is a percentage of people that profess faith in Islam and then kill thousands and thousands of people in the name of Islam. So, forgive me for thinking twice about the "religion of peace".

Let me say this as well; it would be helpful if there was a unified voice from the "nation of Islam" condemning all acts of terror and murder. I don't hear that outcry from Muslim clerics and community leaders. Perhaps I have missed it in all the noise, so correct me if I am wrong.

I also wish that those that profess to be peace loving Muslims around the world would rise up against those that commit murder in the name of that religion.

Please don't take my comments as condemnation of a religion. I believe in the freedom to believe in whatever god or religion you wish. I am just trying to help you understand one person's perspective.

I was not alive during WWII, but when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, history tells me that there was "intolerance" for Japanese nationals in the U.S. Can you blame people for being a little intolerant when thousands of people died in an act of war?

Answer 8

Sure, pal, I'd ask why the Muslims in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa are cruel and bloodthirsty, while you Muslims over here are just as sweet and gentle as doves.

So now, who is it who doesn't understand Islam? Who are the REAL Muslims? The tyrannical murderers over there? Or you gentle souls over here? But YOU BOTH USE THE SAME QURAN, don't you?

Go tell the millions of victims of Islam how peaceful your religion is--if any are left alive!

Answer 9

Maybe I just see things different other than I would want to be careful to do something not offend them ( I have this thing about respect) I would ask them lots of questions and try to get to know them ( I tend to be a very curious person who is always trying to find out more new things but also what do we have in common. )I just spent a couple of hours this morning trying to find a Sura that would make a homesick Muslim woman feel comfortable and more at home. But that is just me.

Answer 10

With what is going on in the world today you cannot blame someone for questioning whether a particular Muslim is friend or foe. They are the ones who flew the airplanes into the buildings and we are at war.
The blacks, Jews, and Asians are considered to be "unjustly persecuted". But we don't know whether we can say that yet about a Muslim we just met.