Mubarak Asker

Do we really have the freedom of practicing any religion or not practicing any religion in America? Islam is one of the religions that face a large dilemma in America. If we have freedom of religion, then why are Muslims treated differently? Islam has been viewed as an undesirable and unwelcome religion in America long before 9/11. The attack of 9/11 made it the reason to extremely hate the religion and view it as one of the most dangerous religions practiced in the world. But the true believers believe that its a religion that can bring peace to the world.

Many people in America think that Islam is a religion that allows terrorism. . Islam is not terrorism. It is a religion that eliminates terrorism and spreads peace around.

Terrorism has never had a place in Islam. Islam teaches us how to create peace with in ourselves and how to make peace with our fellow man regardless of color, politics or beliefs. Many people see jihad as bad think, but true jihad was only ever used in selfdefense. the 9/11 attack is entitled terrorism this action should be entitled the same. Truly, is Islam the nature of terrorist? Why do we not blame the whole religion as we blame Islam? Islam does not preach hate, rather love. In The Washington Post in 2006, Gary McCord, a school bus driver in Chicago, said that, I don't mean to sound harsh or anything, but I don't like what the Muslim people believe in, according to the Quran. Because I think they preach hate. Obviously, this comment is made based on what he has heard or seen on the media. Of course, the media does not show any teaching of Islam, but the horrifying act one does while claiming Islam. This draws a conclusion or picture of what all Muslims are around the world. I have read the Quran many times and I believe in it. I do not see any teaching of hate in the Quran. Rather than being ignorant and telling a single story that he had just picked, if he had picked up the Quran and taken time to read its English translation he wouldnt have made this dull comment. There arent any major differences between the Quran and the Bible. A media such as Al Jazeera shows an entirely different perspective from what the American media shows. They only show the damage America caused in the Middle East, while America shows the damage caused to them. Therefore, before judging something quickly based on what one favors, we should look at the background of it and understand where certain things are coming from. I believe that if Al Jazeera was one of the channels in America, there would be a whole different perspective on Islam today.

Many could ask that if Islam is a religion of peace, then why is all the corruption in the world within the countries that Islam dominates? In the Middle East and Arabian countries, the culture is diffused with the religion. The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did not teach his Ummah (the people he was sent to) of corruption and did not teach to view women unequally. This is exactly what is going on today. In the present, an action one takes claiming Islam, is an absolute opposite of what Muhammad had taught. He never taught his people to blow themselves up, protest by destroying the country and cause corruption. These actions that are taking place have absolutely nothing to do with the religion Islam.

Muslims are treated differently in the eyes of America. There are many issues that need to be addressed, especially when it comes to the whole airport situation. Many times on CNN I have seen that a couple of passengers refuse to ride on the plane with a guy that had long beard and different clothing from them, apparently because he was a Muslim. They fear that he could blow up the plane or somehow is associated with terrorism. People fear that if they ride with a Muslim the airplane will be hijacked or they could lose their lives. In many situations they dealt with it by canceling the flight or postponing it.

Fear of Islam is apparently a growing problem in the western world. Many people now believe that Islam is a corruption and a threat to the western world. Islam respects women more than men. They have much more respect for a mother than anything else. In Islam, the person you give love, respect and honor to after Allah and Muhammad is your mother.

The impact of 9/11 on Muslims, Arabs and other minority groups in the West had clearly been judged about how they are victims of hate crime based on their appearance. "If hate is the problem--as it was on 9/11--how can hate be the solution? Hate only leads to more problems and can never resolve anything. Four days after the 9/11 attack, three innocent Muslims and Arabs were killed by the people who vowed to kill the ragheads, by just shooting at them. I myself have been called names like terrorist and get judged quickly based on my dress code. I just walk past knowing there is nothing I could do. No matter what their education levels are, some people will always be ignorant. Many people face challenges for being a Muslim in the Western World. The media plays an important role for these causes. It is the main reason why Americans think this way about Islam. In conclusion, there is a religious discrimination in America. Islam should not be associated with terrorism. It has nothing to do with terrorism, period. It is a great religion. No matter how bad its talked about it is the number one religion growing across the world. I believe it is Gods religion and no man can destroy the Creators religion but the Creator Himself. Instead of being judgmental about it based on some information we get, it is better if we read the Quran and learn the foundation of it. It is not a hard book to read. We can find it in almost any language translated today.

Works Cited Boroumand, Ladan, and Roya Boroumand. "Terror, Islam, and Democracy." Journal of Democracy 13.2 (2002): 5-20. Print.

Bowen, John Richard. Blaming Islam. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 2012. Print. "Islam & Peace." Islam & Peace. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http://www.answeringislam.org/Hoaxes/salamislam.html>. "Islamic Terrorism: Ignorance Is Not Bliss." American Thinker. N.p., 21 May 2012. Web. 21 May 2012. <http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/11/islamic_terrorism_ignorance_is_not_bli ss.html>. Oquendo, Fatimah. "Islam Is Peace." Igorota 1 Oct. 2003: n. pag. Print.