The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 1

The Shift From the Once Highly Regarded Arab Culture to One of Stereotype

Overcoming Negative Middle Eastern Stereotypes

Eliza M. Cohen

Global Connections

G. Falls

December 2017

Abstract
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 2

Since the mid-late 1800s, there has been a drastic shift in society’s views of the once highly

regarded Arab culture to one of fear and stereotype. The issue of Islamophobia (fear of Islam)

has been incredibly apparent in the previous years. In the United States, Arabs have faced harsh

discrimination and persecution through means of media, both social and televised, mental and

physical abuse, and insults by political elites. Society as a whole has disregarded the vast

achievements and contributions of Arabs for decades. Without these contributions, society would

lack expansive knowledge regarding mathematics, medicine, and philosophy. Due to religious

fear and culture change, society has shunned many Arabs and placed all Arabs under the

preconceived category of being Muslim. Society must become educated in Islamic history in

order to shift back to viewing the Arab culture with high regards. It is not Muslims or Arabs who

have ignited a fear of this culture, but it is society's fear of change and acceptance that sparked it

all.
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract…………………………………………..………………………………………….….... 2

Table of Contents……………………………………………..……………………………….…..3

Introduction……………………………………………………………..…………………….......4

Limitations of Study……………………………………………………..……………….……….5

Literature Review……………………………………………………………..………………......6

Discussion

The Islamic Golden Age…………………..……………………………………………..11

The 1900s- Hollywood……………..…...……………………………………………….14

Arab Portrayal in Media…………………………………………………………………15

Trump’s America…………………………………………………...…………………....17

Homegrown Terrorism……………………………..…………………………………….20

Twin Tenants…………………………………………………………………………….

22

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………… 23

References…………………………………………………………………………………....…..25

Appendix A…………………………………………………………………………………..…..30

Appendix B…………………………………………………………………………………...….31

Appendix C……………………………………………………………………………………... 32

Introduction
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Imagine being an Arab-American watching Aladdin; In the unedited, opening song

Arabian Nights the very first lyrics were “Where they cut off your ear/ If they don't like your

face/ It's barbaric, but hey, it's home”. This negative stereotype instills young Arab-Americans

children with a sense of shame rather than pride for their culture. These children go to school and

are ridiculed by their peers, who have been exposed to anti-Arab stereotypes from a young age. It

was not only in the late 1900s that Arabs have been depicted as sleazy, burlesque, and even

murderous; in 2012, the award winning film, The Dictator was released. The Dictator is about

the leader of an oil-rich country who travels to New York in hopes to change the minds of those

who fled his land due to his harsh rule as a Dictator. The main character’s name is Aladeen. He

is depicted as tall, dark, bearded, and barbaric. Firstly, why do Americans give all Arab

characters the same name? Secondly, why do Westerners always pose Arabs as being dangerous

and having beards? From Disney’s late 1990s film Aladdin, to the 2012 film The Dictator, other

societies focus their attention on harsh stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims.

These preexisting stereotypes ultimately instill fear within societies regardless of if they

are coming from a comical light. In an article regarding discrimination against muslims it states,

“Nearly 68 percent of Muslim Women said media coverage of Muslims was unfair” (The

Atlantic, “How Much Discrimination Do Muslims Face in America?”, 2017). Due to this bias

against Arabs, it is as if the entire world has forgotten that it would not be the collective society it

is today, if it were not for the continuous contributions Arabs have made to change the world. It

is the responsibility of global citizens to combat the discriminatory bias previously created.

When looking into the Middle East during the Golden Age, one would see the advancements of

world renowned doctors and mathematicians, the works of great innovators, and even the first

universities to issue diplomas. Today, the American public is not looking upon the Middle East
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 5

as a place of growth, but a hub for violence and terrorism. It is this unfair shift that has caused

the once highly regarded Arab culture to become one of fear and stereotype.

Limitations of Study

The author of this paper did indeed experience some limitations during the course of this

paper. Perhaps the most prominent limitation was that the author attended the esteemed Global

Studies and World Languages Academy at Tallwood High School, therefore, her coursework

was much different than that of a normal scholar. All of her classes had a global spin to them.

Students in this academy learn crucial themes about the world: Global Issues in Context,

Advanced Placement Human Geography, Global Leadership Strategies, Global Systems, and

Comparative Governments. Due to the skewed curriculum, this author naturally has an

acceptance towards citizens of other cultures and an increasing liberal viewpoint on these issues.

There is also the limitation that the author is a German-Ukrainian and has not personally

experienced the difficulties that come with being of Arab descent in society today, however feels

passionately about this subject. Another possible limitation to the author’s study is that many of

her sources originated from the personal experiences and stories of Arab-Americans. In addition,

many scholarly articles were written by those of Middle Eastern descent, therefore, there is bias

towards Arabs throughout this paper due to the publishers of these articles. Although the author

has many sources written by Arabs, she has a combination of sources from researchers,

professors, experts in the field, scholarly articles, and statistics which all counteract the potential

bias apparent in this paper. The author’s immense amount of research and plethora of articles is

all critical when highlighting upon the shift from the one highly regarded Arab culture to one of

fear and stereotype and to proving her point as to why society must abolish negative Arab

stereotypes.
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 6

Literature Review

When analyzing the shift from the once highly regarded Arab culture to one of

stereotype, one must shepherd his research toward intricate and viable sources to avoid

insensitive bias and incompetent articles. The compilation of sources used throughout this paper

all contribute to the rise and fall of Arab stereotypes in various fields. The author found an

abundance of sources focusing on the areas of media, art, and the 2016 presidential election. The

following articles are those of which the author found most informative when conducting an in

depth study into the progression of Arab Stereotypes from the Golden Age, through the 1900s, to

bias against Arabs today.

The Golden Age and Beautiful Women:

To delve into the countless accomplishments of Arabs-The Islamic History Organization

works to define and protect the prestigious advancements of Arabs throughout the Golden Age in

order to preserve their pristine legacy. The Islamic History Organization is composed of both

Arab and non-Arab professors, scholars, scientists, and experts in the subject of Islamic History.

The Islamic History Organization highlights the lesser-known inventions of Arabs that many

scholars look past or credit to other empires. An example of one of the inventions is paper. Many

may assume that paper was tightly guarded by the Chinese, however, Chinese paper was only

useful in order to write with ancient brushes. Not long after, the Arabs improved upon the

original blueprints for paper to accommodate a wide range of writing utensils. The IHO explains

that Arabs used Mulberry bark in order to critique the original make of the paper. The Islamic

History Organization puts credit where it is due, and touches upon the immense

accomplishments during the Islamic Golden Age.

The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 7

Similarly, History On The Net focuses on Arab advancements as immaculate doctors and

physicians. During the Golden Age and beyond, Arabs were famously known for their work in

the medical field. This source mentions that in order to have an Arab doctor, one would have to

pay more money than for a non-Arab doctor. Their work in medicine exceeded any medical

advancements of other nations at this time; they opened the first government regulated

pharmacies, discovered blood circulation patterns nearly 300 years before the well-known

William Harvey, and pioneered the use of antiseptics to clean wounds. History On The Net states

that rather than viewing disease as a punishment from God like the Christians thought, Islam

looked at disease as just another problem for mankind to solve. History On The Net suggests that

it was this unique viewpoint on disease that helped Islam succeed in the world of medicine.

At this point in her research, the author of this paper shifted gears to highlight upon the

sensualization of Arab women and how they were once highly respected and seen as beautiful,

versus now where they have been seen to be portrayed as burlesque, submissive, and sleazy. The

source most useful for this topic was The Society Pages. The Society Pages focuses on

sociological images of ethnic groups throughout time, particularly, the orientalism and

representation of Middle Eastern Women. This source focuses on Western exploitation of Arab

Women through art. The publisher of this article states “The Christian West has traditionally

manifested itself in art through romanticized scenes of Eastern cultures presented as alien and

exotic” (The Society Pages, Orientalism of Middle Eastern Women, 2011). The Society Pages

explains that 19th century painters have depicted the Middle East to be a place of beauty and

alluring experiences. French painter, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres exquisitely presents a

Middle Eastern woman, lazing on top of traditional carpets, wearing a hat of Middle Eastern

origin in his painting Grande Odalisque. This is merely one example of many. The Middle
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 8

Eastern culture has been glamorized from the Golden Age through the early 1900s via medical

advancements, scientific advancement, and art.

Mid-Late 1900s:

It was during the 1900s where society began to see an extreme shift from the once highly

regarded Arab culture to one of danger. There were both minor and major contributions to this

transformation. One of the more subtle contributions to this shift was the release of the 1926 film

The Son of the Sheik. The University of Kent in the United Kingdom summarizes and analyzes

this film to critique the producer’s belligerent racism. The Son of the Sheik is about an Arab man

who falls in love with a beautiful caucasian dancer. When he believes she has betrayed him, he

kidnaps her and relentlessly places her in threatening situations. The University of Kent

describes a particular scene in which the main character, a young Arab man, dressed in

traditional garment threatens to rape the lead female role. The University of Kent states that the

depiction of the main character as a Middle Eastern rapist contributed to the fear of Arabs in the

1900s through graphic violence and the use of terror.

However, not every contribution to the cumulation of Arab stereotypes throughout the

1900s has been minor. A major event that realigned people’s views on Middle Eastern culture

was the 1972 Olympic Summer Games in Munich. Britannica has a wealth of information

regarding Black September, the terrorist organization that carried out this massacre. Eight

Palestinians belonging to Black September raided the Olympic Village and took nearly eleven

Israeli team members hostage in exchange for the release of two hundred Palestinian prisoners in

Israel. Britannica confirms the viewpoint that the this event instilled a general fear of Islam and

Middle Eastern cultures amongst Western Cultures.

Perception of Arabs Today:

The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 9

Since the 1900s, society’s perception of Arabs has changed dramatically. From secondary

influences on the perception of Arabs such as videogames—to horrific acts of terror—Arabs

have been persecuted for decades.

To begin with a less obvious contributor to the perception of Middle Easterners today,

video games have contributed to these perceptions for people both young and old. Yes, this

popular hobby has a darker, underlying theme of harsh bias against Arabs. The Society of

Personality and Social Psychology Connections stated “Arabs and Muslims are frequently linked

with violence and terrorism, perpetuating the stereotype that Arabs and Muslims are terrorists”

(PSP Connections, The Power of Media Images, 2012). The Society of Personality and Social

Psychology Connections carried out an experiment to prove the effects of a negative portrayal of

Arabs in videogames. In this experiment three different subjects were asked to play a video

game—one being entirely unrelated to Arabs, one based on fighting Russians terrorists, and one

based on fighting Arabs. After they played the videogame, they were asked to describe the

enemies and their feelings towards them. The researchers measured their implicit and explicit

attitudes towards Arabs and concluded that playing a video game involving terrorism increased

negative attitudes towards this minority, regardless of what ethnicity the terrorists were. The

Society of Personality and and Social Psychology Connections’ research proved extremely

functional when defining the root of Arab stereotypes; which can stem from a source as simple

as video games.

Alternatively, there are events that have changed the way citizens looked at the world

forever. For Americans this event was the September 11th terrorist attack on the Twin Towers.

Since then, the world’s perspective on Arabs has been permanently corrupted and innocent Arabs

have been treated unfairly. California State University mentions the increased Homeland
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 10

Security and use for foreign defense proceeding this act of terror. After 9/11, Arabs were treated

cruelly and discriminated against. California State University has described these discriminatory

post-9/11 behaviors as “witch hunts” and stated, “Unfortunately, the wonderfully decorated

scarves, burqas or hijabs, became the easy-to-spot target for hatred” (California State University,

Arabs after 9/11, 2002). Similarly, Irum Shiekh’s novel, Detained Without A Cause, focuses on

stories of unjustified detention and deportation of Arabs after 9/11. Detained Without A Cause is

a series of stories told by Middle Eastern immigrants, describing their journey in America as an

Arab post-9/11. One story in particular was Ansar Mahmood who was taken into custody after

photographing a scenic picture of a water treatment plant over the Hudson River. It was his

Muslim and Pakistani appearance that triggered suspicion amongst locals and kindled a series of

events, ultimately leading to his deportation. Detained Without A Cause highlights the worst of

America and their grim treatment of Arabs.

When discussing America’s image of Middle Easterners, one cannot forget about the

2016 presidential election. An event that precipitated fear within minorities nationwide. At the

time, President-elect Trump’s views on Islam and the Middle East were evident; little did society

know that when he became President Trump, he was going to implement a Muslim Ban which

prohibited Arabs from select countries to visit the U.S. The Washington Post confirms the belief

that Trump’s actions have left lasting effects on America’s perception of Arabs. The Washington

Post polled a wide range of citizens, asking about their views of Islam. After October 2016, an

astonishing 49% of people found their opinion on Islam to be very unfavorable (The Washington

Post, How Trump Changed America’s View of Islam, 2016), consequently President Trump fed

into their fears and made it clear that he was not pleased with Muslims from certain countries

entering to America. From his tweets to his serious actions, Trump has instilled a fear of Arabs
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 11

within the American population. The Washington Post’s research verifies the claim that

Americans view Arabs differently after the 2016 election.

Discussion

The Islamic Golden Age:

The Islamic Golden Age was composed of countless achievements, inventions, and

advancements by Arabs. These years stretched from the mid-7th century to the mid-13th century.

It was the epoch of wealth and amelioration that people all over the world have reaped the

benefits of today. The Golden Age defines the once highly regarded Arab culture and sparks

curiosity in regards to what changed this viewpoint.

To begin, the Islamic Empire was the first empire to bring dozens of ethnicities together.

People of Chinese, Indian, North African, and white European descents made the pilgrimage to

Baghdad to experience and contribute to the infamous “House of Wisdom.” The House of

Wisdom was one of the first major Arab advancements. It was an intellectual center in which

scholars from all over the world came to donate their knowledge in order to translate ancient

texts and beliefs to Arabic. Furthermore, this aided the creation of translations of Hebrew, Hindi,

Turkish, and Latin languages. If it were not for the Arab scholars, philosophical relics of

information would have been lost or gone uncovered for hundreds of years.

The creation of the House of Wisdom led to advancements within educational and

scientific institutions. Hospitals, libraries, psychiatric centers, and universities all sprouted from

Arab savants. A lesser known achievement of the Middle Eastern and North African region was

their impeccable university standards. In fact, The Guinness Book of World Records awarded the

Moroccan University of Al Karaouine to have been the oldest university to issue diplomas

(Guinness Book of World Records, 2011). This trend continued as Al-Azhar University in Cairo,
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 12

Egypt took the title as the longest running, fully functional university in history. Al-Azhar

offered a variety of courses with a continuance for a postgraduate degree. Universities that

derived from the Middle East and Arab-Africa have held a pristine standard dating back to 859

CE.

Not only did Arabs excel through academic advancements, but many everyday inventions

have been contributed by Middle Easterners. Arabs are famously known for their 1,001

inventions. Although 1,001 have been named, some of the most important inventions include-

the toothbrush, coffee, algebra, surgery, and hospitals - amid countless other inventions.

Arabs delved into the world of medicine during the Golden Age. The Arab world quickly

became engulfed in medicinal knowledge. A lesser known Arab doctor, Al Zahrawi, wrote a

1,500-page guide on how to perform successful surgeries.The greater world was lacking this

knowledge, therefore many other empires benefitted from Al Zahrawi’s text. Occasionally this

guide is used today as a resource to study the advancement of medicine from early years. Credit

is also given to Zahrawi in regards to the creation of dissolving stitches. Society’s first

experience with dissolving stitches was tremendously successful. Al Zahrawi used an organ

within a feline’s body to create stitches that dissolved steadily and in time for a patient’s next

surgery.

In contrast, these contributions have, over time, been overlooked in their discreditation to

Arabs by our society. One of the greatest examples of these hidden advancements is coffee. The

discovery of coffee is often awarded to Ethiopia and Southern regions of the world, however, it

was the Sufis in Yemen that first unearthed this worldwide pleasure. The Sufis in Yemen used

coffee as a stimulant to awaken them for their day-long prayer. It has been an ongoing trend to

see Arabs discredited for their work and their benefactions to society. Salim Al-Hassani, a
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 13

professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manchester stated, “There's a hole in

our knowledge, we leap frog from the Renaissance to the Greeks” (Muslim Inventions that

Shaped the Modern World, 2010). Al-Hassani’s viewpoint proves valid when discussing the

distinguished contributions of Arabs in society today. In schools, the Golden Age is not

discussed as in depth or at all, in comparison to the Romans and Greeks. For many people, it is

not until college where one must specialize in Islamic Studies or Middle Eastern Studies in

which they finally learn about the vast achievements of the Arabs. Leading to the reason that the

Arab culture is not as highly regarded as it was hundreds of years ago—because there is an

indisputable gap in education when it comes to discussing the Middle East. Educational

standards must be revised in order to incorporate Middle Eastern studies. The Islamic Golden

Age was a prosperous time for both Arabs and non-Arabs who have benefitted from these

advancements. Many people looked upon Arabs as great scientists, inventors, and

mathematicians. The Golden Age was the inaugural perception that society had of Arabs. It was

not until the 1800s and 1900s when this perception changed. If society looked upon Arab culture

as they did during the Golden Age, then many stereotypes would be abolished.

The 1900s- Hollywood:

The onslaught of media in the 1900s with its power of message, began the

everlasting shift of the perception of Arabs. During this century, society was able to see the

media and Hollywood vilify Arabs. The typical depiction of Arabs went from handsome, well-

rounded men and beautiful, sensualized women to uncivilized and submissive terrorists.

A less noticeable way Hollywood began to vilify Arabs was through the 1980’s hit

television show Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. One may be asking themselves “How do the

Ninja Turtles correlate to the stereotypes of Arabs?” The famous Japanese cartoon contained a
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 14

concealed stereotype of Arabs. The enemies in the beginning of this series wore red and white

checkered scarves, tied around their neck, which recognizably mirrored the traditional Arab

accessory, the Keffiyeh. While wearing the scarves, the enemies were portrayed as bloodthirsty

hunters. The producer of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Nickelodeon, abruptly faced backlash

for it from the Arab community and was forced to remove the scarf from enemy turtles in the

show. Although when brought to the attention of the producer, the episodes were quickly taken

down, it still contributed to the gradual incline of Arab stereotypes at the time of production.

In response to similar situations, the 2006, short documentary Reel Bad Arabs, written by

Jeremy Earp and Jack Shaheen was produced with the intention to bring the stereotypes of Arabs

to life. This documentary consisted of a 50 minute compilation and short story about, as the title

conveys, Reel Bad Arabs. It includes scenes in which Hollywood has portrayed Arabs as

gunslingers, drunks, oppressive rulers, and undoubtedly, terrorists. When asked about the effect

that longing media exposure to stereotypes has on society, Dr. Jack Shaheen, co-producer of the

documentary stated “the persistence of these images over time has served to naturalize

prejudicial attitudes toward Arabs and Arab culture, in the process reinforcing a narrow view of

individual Arabs and the effects of specific US domestic and international policies on their lives”

(Shaheen, 2006). The gradual trend Shaheen discussed lasts throughout the 1900’s. It was not

until the 21st century that the public saw a sharp spike in Islamophobia and discrimination

against Arabs.

September 11th, 2001:

What remained of society’s highly regarded perception of Arab culture was

instantaneously dismantled after September 11th, 2001. This date changed the course of history
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 15

for eternity and continues to scar people’s perceptions to this day. Since September of 2001,

Islamophobia has run rampant.

September 11, 2001 was the day that nineteen radical Islamists belonging to the terrorist

organization, Al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes in an attempt to target the government of the

United States. These airplanes crashed into four different sites-the Twin Towers, the Pentagon,

and a field in Pennsylvania. The destruction was immense and consisted of a staggering 3,000

fatalities. This horrific event sparked national concerns and prompted what seemed like the

unspoken beginning to the war against terror. As fear radiated amongst Americans, it became no

longer a war against terror, but a war against Islam.

To date, Arabs, Northern Africans, and Muslims have specifically been scrutinized by

society. The common stereotype that circulates society today, is that all terrorists are Muslims

and all Muslims are terrorists. Many people have preconceived notions that all Muslims are of

Arab descent, however, according to Pew Research Center, 42% of Muslims living in the United

States are born in the U.S. The second most common in population is 20%, that being South

Asia. Only 14% of the entire United States’ Muslim population are Arabs (Pew Research Center,

2017)(Appendix A). The years ensuing September 11th brought great terror to the Muslim

community. Many Muslims were harassed and unfairly profiled.

Irum Shiekh’s acclaimed novel Detained Without a Cause, uncovers the battle many

Muslims had to face in order to protect the once cherished Muslim label. Shiekh’s novel consists

of six enthralling stories of unjust, Muslim detention after September 11th. One story in

particular highlights the corrupt immigration system’s treatment of Arabs after 9/11. Yasser

Ebrahim was an Egyptian-born traveller, living in New York on a visa. Ebrahim lived in a loft in

Brooklyn. As time edged closer for his visa to expire, Ebrahim spoke with an immigration
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 16

lawyer, expressing his concerns. This lawyer then explained to him that the number of

undocumented immigrants in New York were endless, therefore Ebrahim should not be

concerned. Taking the advice of the lawyer, Ebrahim proceeded with his daily life. On

September 11th, 2001, Yasser Ebrahim was in his home in Brooklyn. His mother became

concerned after the attack and wished him good luck. Approximately three weeks later, twenty

FBI agents stormed into Ebrahim’s apartment without a warrant, began searching the house, and

arrested Yasser. Yasser recalls this experience, “They were heavily armed, carrying shotguns,

and wearing bulletproof vests and helmets… it was as if they were going to war instead of

picking me up for an immigration violation… they did not even read me my rights or allowed me

to make a phone call” (Shiekh, I. 2011). Yasser Ebrahim’s story ended in deportation back to

Egypt, and although Ebrahim was unable to refile his visa papers, he decided to participate in

Shiekh’s interview to advocate for Arabs and eliminate the stereotypes. Detained Without a

Cause truly brings to light the danger that Arabs have faced in society post-9/11. Shiekh’s novel

allows readers to connect with a human rather than a preconceived label.

September 11th was a dreadful time for Arabs. This demographic feared for their lives

when completing everyday activities such as walking to the supermarket, or taking their kids to

school. Although time heals all wounds and the events of 9/11 happened over 16 years ago,

Arabs have found themselves unable to retrieve the level of equality and comfort in which they

flourished before the events of that day.

Trump’s America:

Arabs have fought the ultimate fight in breaking stereotypes, however this fight has not

yet ended. To jump further into the 2000s, the 2016 Presidential Election has tainted the

perception of Arabs even worse. What seemed like Donald Trump’s entire basis revolved around
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 17

the deportation of Arabs and Mexicans. A figure as powerful and determined as Donald Trump

was sure to instill fear in the minorities of America.

Trump distinctly targeted Latinos, women, and Arabs, however, his views on Arabs

spoke volumes. President Trump’s distaste towards this community was expressed through

trivial social media posts and press conferences. The President has portrayed them as barbaric,

culture thieves who want to destroy the United States. One of Trump’s initial criticisms of Arabs

took place December 6th, 2015. During a CBS interview, Trump stated, “If you have people

coming out of mosques with hatred and death in their eyes and on their minds, we are going to

have to do something” (Columbia Broadcasting System, 2015). To President Trump’s loyal

followers, this sparked concerns. Any prepossessed positive opinion regarding Arabs was

quickly discouraged by an extremely influential political figure. Donald Trump’s portrayal of

Arabs did not stop there. In a Fox News interview, where he was asked about one of his top

business men - a Canadian-Muslim, he stated, “There's a sickness. They're sick people. There's a

sickness going on. There's a group of people that is very sick” (Fox News, 2015). President

Trump’s eloquently phrased, passive criticism of Islam was seen by Fox News’ 1.72 million

viewers (Variety, 2017). Fox News remains a predominantly Republican news network, seeing

that Donald Trump was the Republican candidate for presidency, his speeches on Islam were

incredibly influential to the 62,979,879 people who voted for him (CNN Politics, 2017).

The most devastating result of Donald Trump’s presidency for Arabs and non-Arabs both

was his travel ban on seven Muslim countries- Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and

Syria, enacted on January 27th, 2017. President Trump faced major backlash for his specifically

“Muslim” ban, therefore he created two other modified versions of it. In order for it not to be

referred to as the “Muslim” ban. The ability to single out some of the nations that need more help
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 18

than any others seemed inhuman. Under Donald Trump’s leadership generations of refugees will

be unable to make the migration to America to escape the harsh realities of living in war zones.

Donald Trump’s actions denied those in the most need a safe haven. At the time this paper was

published, President Trump added Chad, North Korea and Venezuela to this ban, creating a list

of nine countries whose citizens are unable to immigrate to the United States.

To bring attention to the difficulties of practicing Islam in Trump’s America, the author

of this paper decided to interview a refugee who fled Yemen, one of Trump’s banned countries.

Ishaq A******* wishes to keep his complete last name undisclosed for anonymity, however

agreed to an interview to promote justice for his people. Ishaq is a teenager who has faced first

hand the discrimination against Islam in American society. Ishaq was forced to flee from Yemen

in November of 2015. He was, literally, thrown to the sharks his first day of American high

school. Ishaq and his two cousins were relentlessly bullied because of their dark skin tone, and

traditional dress. When asked about lingering fear after the 2016 Election, Ishaq stated, “I cannot

vote, my family cannot vote, however, if we could we would not have participated in the election

because we did not like either candidate. We did not think the outcome would lead to this

[Muslim Ban]” (A. Ishaq, 2017). As the interview took a deeper turn and Ishaq was questioned

about his initial reactions of the Muslim Ban, he quickly became solemn stating, “I was so

surprised. I choose not to talk about it. It is very sad for me. I have family in Yemen that wanted

to come here with us for a better life. They cannot do that now. They cannot be with us” (A.

Ishaq, 2017)(Appendix B).

Donald Trump’s portrayal of Arabs, through media, press conferences, and particularly

his Muslim Ban affected countless lives. Because President Trump was so open to discussing his

hatred of Arabs, many people fell into his traps, quickly forgetting the myriad of contributions
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 19

Arabs have made to society today. The 2016 Election was one in which ruined thousands of

people’s view of Arabs and Muslims.

Donald Trump's underlying tone of disapproval suggests that terrorism in the United

States is solely committed by those of Middle Eastern descent, when terrorism committed by

Caucasians is often overlooked or not categorized as terrorism at all. Donald Trump has gone so

far as to call homegrown terrorists very fine people. This bias against Arabs radiates as the

number of homegrown terrorism increases.

Homegrown Terrorism:

When one says “terrorist” many people will picture a tall, dark, man, dressed in

traditional garb with a beard; however, the United States has experienced a plethora of

homegrown terrorism, which aids in diminishing the stereotype of Arabs as terrorists.

Homegrown terrorism is defined by Oxford Dictionary as the committing of terrorist acts in the

perpetrator's own country against their fellow citizens (Oxford Dictionary, 2017). The United

States has experienced homegrown terrorism since 1966 when a gunman shot thirteen people at

the University of Texas at Austin. Since then, dozens of shootings have occurred. To name a

few- Columbine High School in Colorado, Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Virginia, and an

Aurora movie theatre in Colorado. The instances of caucasian-induced terrorism has greatly

increased since the early 1900s, and although homegrown terrorism has been prevalent for

decades, Vox News states “Since Trump took office, more Americans have been killed by white

American men with no connection to Islam than by Muslim terrorists or foreigners” (Williams,

2017). Vox News researched heavily into this area and concluded the accounts of Caucasian-

committed terrorism far outnumbers that of the Middle Easterners. In a graph depicting domestic
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 20

terror incidents from 2008-2016, it shows that there have been nearly 117 instances of radical

right wing terrorism in comparison to only 63 terrorist incidents caused by Arabs (Vox New,

2017)(Appendix C).

There are growing problems with white supremacy in the United States. Recently, white

supremacists plagued the campus of the University of Virginia to protest the tearing down of

confederate monuments. Throughout the evening, African Americans were especially targeted.

These radical right wing terrorists chanted “White lives matter” while carrying tiki torches. As

counter protestors arrived, fights broke out and resulted in a staggering 34 injuries. At the rally,

white supremacist, James Alex Fields Jr., plowed into a crowd of counter protestors, killing a 32

year old woman who had been peacefully protesting that day. Fields was charged with three

counts of malicious wounding, second degree murder, and failing to stop at the scene of a crash.

The problem with the rise of white supremacy is often glazed over and concealed with the image

an Arab terrorist, meanwhile, America’s citizens are causing the majority of the real danger.

The United State’s recently broke its record for deadliest shooting in recent years; once

being Pulse Night Club with 49 deaths, the Las Vegas Shooting overruled Orlando’s record with

a shocking 58 deaths. This shooting took place at the Route 91 Music Festival on the downtown

strip. Gunman, Stephen Paddock killed over fifty people and injured over 500. Paddock hoarded

nearly twenty firearms in his suite in the Mandalay Bay Hotel. This suite was his homebase as

Paddock broke through the glass window and began shooting with military grade weapons from

various angles. His elevation and weaponry made this shooting take the reign of the deadliest

mass shooting in history. Although Paddock’s motive remains unknown, he reeks of the

characteristics of a terrorists.
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 21

The United State’s gun control issue has been at the forefront of these shootings, sparking

debate between democrats and liberals, however, after each shooting suddenly takes reign as the

deadliest, it no longer remains an issue of politics-it has morphed itself to the greater issue - the

issue of humanity. The United States has one of the largest gun problems in the world. Global

News researched the amount of civilian firearms per 100 people. Canada’s statistics amounted to

30 civilian firearms per 100 people, whereas the United States’ statistical evidence shows

roughly 88 civilian firearms per 100 people. The only way to reduce mass shootings is to

increase gun control. The United States’ terrorism seems led by a fear of change. Select United

States’ citizens will go to great lengths to prove their radical right wing commitment. The

difference between terrorism in different countries is diminutive. Whether it be acts of terror in

committed by New Zealanders, Somalis, the Irish, Russians, Arabs, or Americans, terrorism is

defined as “the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the

pursuit of political aims” (Oxford Dictionary, 2017). There is no box of preconceived

characteristics that describe a terrorist. To simplify this example, not all caucasian people are

inherently good and not all Arab people are bad.

Twin Tenants:

Since the 1900s, the belief that Arabs and Americans are vastly different has circulated

through society. Americans have this specific view on Islam that almost seems impossible to be

changed. Many Americans assume that because these people look different, speak a different

language, and dress different, that their humanitarian beliefs are different than that of any other

country. All in all, humanity is experiencing a trying time regardless of what country you live in.

Everyone has the goal of succeeding and living a peaceful life. When looking into the basic

tenets of Islam and Christianity, one can see that these two religions share the concept of having
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 22

a paradox of good versus evil and ultimately are the same. Analyzing the Qur’an and the Bible as

two entities that meet together to share one common goal, makes it so that believers of either

religion are able to accept each other as thy neighbor.

Generally speaking, Christianity and Islam are both monotheistic and Abrahamic

religions, meaning that both religions begin in one God that created the world and that Abraham

was patriarchal biblical figure. There are similarities that only scratch the surface of these

profound religions, such as fasting, while others plunge depths deep. In both Christianity and

Islam, prophets are sent by God/Allah to emphasize the nuance of the monotheistic aspect of the

religion. Both religions believe that there is no other god, other than God/Allah. Delving deeper

into these religions, a major ambition is to lead people to the right path: telling the truth, not

stealing, and no hurting innocent lives. As the Qur’an and the Bible are further evaluated, it is

evident that Muslims and Christians believe in a final destination, either heaven or hell. On

resurrection day, souls are judged on their doings while on earth, and will face one of the two

final destinations when they meet their final resting place. In spite of the differences in these

religion’s teachings and religious movements, Christianity and Islam share many of the same

beliefs.

Conclusion:

Due to the current state of the world, and rising global tensions through politics, society

has forgotten the endless contributions of Arabs to society today - and their views on the Arab

world have been left tainted. The world of Islam and Arab culture has become greatly

underappreciated since its golden age and its stature on the world stage has been greatly

diminished. News, media, television, and political figures have shaped the opinions of many to a
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 23

more radical and right wing viewpoint on Islam. If society were to accept Islam and Arabs into

society without rejection, vast stereotypes and bias could be eradicated.

Society has, as a whole, turned the perception of this religion and culture into one of

terror due to its fear of change. The primitive tenets of both Islam and Christianity share many of

the same beliefs. One last similarity between Christianity and Islam that illuminates the idea of

togetherness and peace, are verses Qur’an 49:13 and Leviticus 19:18. “O mankind! We have

created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know

one another” (Qur’an 49:13). Similarly, Leviticus 19:18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge

against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). It is

up to civilization to not only bring attention to these similarities, but to embrace the differences.

Living with respect for another religion is superior to living in fear of one.

The author of this paper intended to end this discussion with the feeling of peace,

togetherness, and acceptance. The Qur’an 2:256 states “Bring forward all the arguments you

wish and say whatever you please and speak your mind freely… Herein I have dealt justly with

you and have given you full security and am ready to accept whatever decision Reason may give

for me or against me. For there is no compulsion in religion and I have invited you to accept our

faith willingly” (Qur’an 2:256).

What changed the perception from the once highly regarded Arab culture to one of fear

and stereotype was the fear of change amongst society. Arabs have experienced persecution and

discrimination for being themselves. As stated above in Qur’an verse 2:256, herein lies the

answer to humanity’s grand question in respect to cultural intolerance. By accepting different

faiths and diverse cultures, cruel stereotypes have the potential to be repealed and love has the

potential to beam across oceans and jump from country to country.

The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 24

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Appendix A
The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 30

Appendix B

ISHAQ A******* INTERVIEW

Q: Do you feel that Muslims are persistently discriminated against in America?

A: Not anymore, however when I first come (sic.) here with my family, at school I was

bullied because of my dark skin and my cousin because she wore a hijab. Not it is much better.

That was one time.

Q: Do you think Americans accept Islam?

A: More or less. Sometimes people will stare at us and look at us when we speak Arabic,

a lot in school (sic.), but if we accept their religion we hope they accept ours.

Q: Why did you move to America?

A:The war in Yemen is very sad. I get very sad when I talk about it but Yemen is so bad

and here we have many chances. I was so happy to come to America. I miss Yemen but some of

America is the same as Yemen because Yemen has rain and agriculture and Virginia too (sic.)

Q: Were you scared after the 2016 Election with the Muslim Ban?

A: Yes. We cannot vote but if we could we would not vote for him. He is a bad man. He

does not like our people. The day after the election me and my cousins were absent [from

school]. I was so surprised [Muslim Ban]. I choose not to talk about it. It is very sad for me. I

have family in Yemen that wanted to come here with us for a better life. They cannot do that

now. They cannot be with us”

The Shift From The Once Highly Regarded Culture to One of Stereotype 31

Appendix C