MUSLIMS: Why are you mis-pronouncing your name so others wont know you're Arab?

Question

Salaam

First off--I AM MUSLIM, and I live in America.
I'm noticing that MANY Arabs in America are now mis-pronoucing their names, so that their names will sound "non-Arab" --and its getting ridiculous.

For example, I know an Arab man named Koran who tells everyone his name is "Karn".

I know that Arabs & Muslims are afraid to let white Americans know they are Muslim--but giving false pronunciations of your name seems a bit too much and seems fake. Is this because you are afraid of backlash? Whats up with this?

...Also, it amazes me that many Muslims will not even return the greetings of a Muslim woman who doesnt cover her hair--yet you'll go around pretending you are not Muslim by messing up your names.

Ok--Your thoughts??

I'm just curious.

*Yes, I'm REALLY a Muslim, and to those Muslims who dont believe this, if you were in America, you would see its common for Muslims mis-pronounce their Arab names these days....
Other examples I know: a man named "Hassan" saying his name is "Hasen "-- a woman named Nadira saying her name is "Nadia"-- the list goes on & on.
--and thanks for the positive feedback everyone!! Much love :)

Answer 1

hi. i'm not muslim, nor am i arabic, but i can relate to what you're saying. i'm a third generation german american. some of the older people in my family still speak an american subdialect of german in the home, and i faced a lot of racism growing up because of this, and i still do on occasion. my family was here during WWII. while many german americans changed the spelling or pronunciation of their names to seem ''more american,'' mine didn't. i believe you should hold your head high, no matter what others may think of you because of your background. don't be racist, and don't be afraid to assimilate, but always remember where you came from. my grandfather, who was the first in my family to be born in this country, was treated poorly by other soldiers while he was in the army (the US army), fighting the nazis, but he still did not change his german last name. he still came back with medals, and over time, he earned the respect of his fellow soldiers. you'll never make all the bigots happy. no matter what you do, you're skin might be a little bit different, or your nose might be the wrong shape, or someone in your family may speak with the wrong accent. be who you are and make no apologies for that.

peace,
drew

Answer 2

My name is Faraj. So I tell my non-Arab friends the easy way to say it without the stressed 'r'. But when I meet an Arab I always say it the real way. In fact most of my friends I've know for a long time can actually pronounce the 'r'. After trying for 8 years your bound to get it.

Every time I see a hijabi I always tell her salam alakum. But, you never know if she is Christian or even Spanish. So I tend to just say it to the with out a doubt Muslim's.

Once I was a a amusement park and I said Salam to a lady. She was so surprised it looked like she would faint. lol

After reading others answers I have to add yes many do name Koran as names. It is reversable Koran to Quran. Don't listen to these people there fools.

Answer 3

I didn't know that! Aw that's such a shame. Them muslim people should be proud of who they are and what thweir name is regardless of their religion, background and so on.

im suprised that some muslim people wil not return the greeting to muslim woman without headscarve cos in my experience in UK my friend is muslim but she don't wear headscarves but many muslim people greets her with sincerty even to me when some of them knows i;m not muslim. Im not sure if this happens to other people in UK but it just my experience.

Answer 4

This is very odd indeed. No one should feel the need to do this, besides they are not likely to fool anyone. This is America, your religion has no bearing except that it is your right to proactice it as you like. Arab, Japanese, Eskimo, Kenyans....who cares.

Answer 5

I am an arab but not a muslim and I say hypocrazy is everywhere
Peace be with all of us , Amen

Answer 6

beautiful muslim baby girl names resemble english names easy pronounce

Answer 7

most arabs i know try to get everybody to pronounce their name correct
my whole family[including relatives] has their name pronounced correctly or have nicknames or shorter names
although im half arab and turkish

Answer 8

Some men and women have pride and walk with little fear, others become cowardly and hide in shadows trying to blend in.

Answer 9

I live in the Middle East and I have never in my life met anyone name Koran or Quran. I have not met any Arabs in America be afriad to say their names..Seems you have some issues with Arabs...

Answer 10

Hahaha..it is a real joke..I dont think you are a muslim cause i never met a muslim who change his name..Maybe you are the only one in this world who knows arab muslims who changed their names. I am arabian and we don't name our children Koran. actually it is Quran, but we dont use it to name the people. i think you are a racist and trying to spread some lies about us the muslims.
I agree with jenn3365