Why are muslims stereotyped so much?

Question

I wish people would see the muslims who just want peace and a future. I know that is with me, I'm no extremist but I pray 5 times a day. Is that so wrong? I have a big family and I know all of them want the same.
I'm only 15 and I'm praying for peace everyday..

Thanks everyone for the answers, I'm so glad I'm not the only person who feels this way <3

Answer 1

Hi, I hope you never change your views and would like to live in peace. All nations and religions have stereotypes so don't take to much offence because most people are aware it is only a minority of all stereotypes that are actually like the people they portrayed.

It would be nice if the young people of your generation not only Muslims but all youngsters start to think that "You are the ones that can change your future because the ways of your parents and grandparents have not worked"

This is the world Your generation is going to inherit make it a better, future world leaders are growing up now.

Answer 2

Actually I think you kind of answered your own question without realizing it.

We in the West do not place such high regard on religion, and haven't since the late 1600s. Today if the Pope told Xtians to blow themselves up in a bus full of people they'd tell him to go F**k himself. Religion is a very small part of Westerners lives if it indeed even has a role, we place more focus on science and philosophy.

Westerners in general, not just Americans, distrust anyone who puts blind faith in religion, much less a people who have recently been acting acting like crazed religious zelots straight from the middle ages.

Personally I am trying not to generalize, and lump everyone together, as all sides have good and bad. But when you see pure unbridled INSANITY like the Palestinian TV show that encourages children to become martyrs, Lunatics flying planes full of innocent people into buildings, Armed groups of men by the thousands beating their heads till they are bloody and vowing war because someone happened to draw a cartoon about their religious icon, and Islamic government issuing DEATH WARRANTS on writers and movie makers simply because they questioned the religion....it kind of makes it hard not to hold the religion in some suspicion.

Especially when someone is SO indoctrinated in the religion can't step outside themselves and critically look at the religion from non-islamic view.

Honestly..can you see ANY reason for the actions described above? If not them why do we never see any Muslims fighting to erradicate the monsters in their midst?

Answer 3

Mainly, it's fear. I mean...how DO you tell a good Muslim from an extremist? My honest opinion is that the good Muslims need to stand up against the fanatical ones. If you feel strongly enough about this and if there are SO many decent Muslims, then you should feel strong enough to stand up for those who WANT peace...and defy the fanatics, thereby discrediting their 'movement'. When ALL you hear is the ravings of the sects...and don't hear anything about Muslims protesting the violence...that's what you'll see when you look at Muslims as a whole.

It has nothing to do with minority and majority right now. We're 'at war' with terror, and the terrorists are Muslim.

Answer 4

The world is at war with terrorism. Most of the terrorism is ascribable to Muslims.
There were many Germans who just wanted peace and a future, but the image of a German for the British and their allies in WW2 was that of a Nazi.
Stop your people blowing other people up etc, and attitudes will change.

Answer 5

unfortunately the extremists are the ones to stand up and speak louder at time when opinion could be herd also the ones who want our legal rights but special rights for them on top like i can slam your religion but ill kill you if you slam mine attitude of some.
when people join a community they should not segregate themselves off, how do you think the Hindu's and other non Muslims feel from the sub-continent feel being painted with a Muslim brush all the time and their faith haven't done anything but try to fit in and live peacefully
to many of the wrong type are seen.

Answer 6

Most stereotypes of people are based on ignorance and fear and this is compounded by the media which senationalises it all. Any fanatical sect which is seen as dangerous and is part of a wider group tars the others.

Stereotyping is done on nearly everyone, not just Muslims. Its not just religions either. When I think of a German I think of blonde haired, blued eyed, pink skinned, chubby men with a beach towel. However, I know that not all Germans are like that, infact I don't think I heve ever seen one fitting that description. That however, is an image some people have of Germans and I should think a Germans stereotypical image of us Brits is not any nicer.

Its just ignorance.

Answer 7

Salam sister..

Yes, it is a fact that we have to acknowledge, muslims are stereotyped more than others. But we will have to strive, in the name of Allah, personally, and professionally,to be the best people we can be, whether at school, work, or ANYWHERE!!

I praise you for being able to pray 5 times a day.. i am around your age ( a lil younger, wouldn't like to state my age, jus guess) and i try my hardest to pray, but Satan gets the best of me

May Allah (swt) help us all on th path of Islam...

Answer 8

Throughout history and all round the world Governments and the media have always used scapegoats in order to unite their people against a common enemy, and thus make it easier to control people.

Since WW2 America had the USSR as its scapegoat. Now that the Union has splintered, there is a vacuum, so the US Govt has found a new enemy.

I'd like to say don't worry. It'll be the turn of the Chinese soon to be the centre of fear and hate. Don't fall into the trap of becoming like those who persecute you.

Answer 9

You're right. I'm so sad about this, too. I had two dear Muslim friends I fretted about on 9/11. The man had a flight from New York to California and his wife worked for the Pentagon. She took the day off to take her husband to the airport! Thankfully, they called later that day to tell us they were safe. I know we lost many patriotic American Muslims on that sad day.

My friends explained to me that they are taught to fight the infidel within themselves, referring to fighting their own personal negative characteristics in order to live a more peaceful life. Unfortunately, most people I know think that fighting the infidel means hurting those who are different. They think that this teaching is the reason that a few men acted as terrorists. These people are just ignorant about the truth about your beautiful religion. If we all fought the infidel within, the world would be a much better place.

You have inspired me. I will pray five times a day for peace, too.

The Holy Qur'an is poetry. It has brought me much comfort over the years. How lucky you are to be exposed to such wonderful, beautiful words about our Creator's love.

"And people are naught but a single nation... [3:102]"

I wish you love, comfort, and peace.

Answer 10

I agree with you, as far as this country goes, right now Muslims are the most stereotyped. It's because of the time. (the terrorist attacks, war...)

People are just ignorant. Of course not all Muslims are extremists! It seems like the government almost encourages these feelings some Americans have to gain support for the whole Iraq thing. I hope you know that there are many people who are not prejudiced! It's the ones that are that ruin everything.

People are stupid and I hope the negative feelings people have toward Islam fade away soon. It's like this country always has to have someone to ridicule.....