A classic example of 'them muslims and us americans'.  Thanks for proving that it really exists. 

If someone knows of another website where muslims can discuss issues concerning them, without the hatred and ignorance spewed by non-muslims, please let me know.  It seems Beliefnet is no longer the place for that.

[QUOTE=USMuslim;273526]What do you think are the best strategies for fighting the misconceptions about Muslims and Islam in America?

First of all, is it a real phenomena – or are we just all paranoid?

If you think it is a reality, then please discuss things we can do collectively, and on an individual basis.

Give examples of things that work or are working.

This essay will count for half your final grade! ;)[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Atsila;283556]A classic example of 'them muslims and us americans'.  Thanks for proving that it really exists. 

If someone knows of another website where muslims can discuss issues concerning them, without the hatred and ignorance spewed by non-muslims, please let me know.  It seems Beliefnet is no longer the place for that.[/QUOTE]


You are more than welcome to visit the forums I recently set up, we only have a few users, but I am the only muslim there, and the non-muslims are all bright and fair-minded individuals.
it is located at http://www.takebackislam.org/forums/ and I go by the name "Osiris" there.

endgame wrote:

I feel that the points you raised will go in one ear and out the other because it does not do anything for the folks that are demanding apologies and for us to speak out against terrorism.
Salaam.

Don't you think it is a good idea for Muslims to speak out against terrorism.  Remember virtually all terrorist acts in the world today have Muslims as perpetrators or victims or both.  I would think it a very good way to address your concern about Islamophobia.

USMuslimA classic way of controlling people is through fear. Fear of the unfamiliar will quite often have normally rational, fairminded folks reacting in ways they wouldn't in any other circumstance.
.........
It is our job to inform our neighbors of ourselves, it is our job to correct misinformation where ever it shows up. It is a never ending battle, especially when there is so much trash floating around and people who are only willing to accept their own camps' version of the truth.


US Muslim do you think that the nearly daily attacks by Muslims on other Muslims is trash?


Saladin. . . . .

I found the several strategies to be important in swaying those 5 people:

1) Be honest. We know the muslim world has problems, but it must be clear to distinguish the muslim world from Islam itself.
2) Back up everything with the Quran and ONLY the Quran.
3) All topics may be understood only by looking at all surahs/ayahs discussing the topic.
4) Historical context must always be considered.

That is an admirable method, especially the honesty part.  However, there are two problems.  Different interpretations of the Koran and the Historical includes current conditions in the world where Islamic terrorism is rampant.

I'll check out the forum, thanks

You asked if you were Paranoid?

I guess you had reasons for doing so.

What do you consider Islamophobia?

[QUOTE=GracieMae76;288737]"Don't you think it is a good idea for Muslims to speak out against terrorism."

I think Muslims continuously speaking out against other Muslims is sort of a trap.... No one Muslim or group of Muslims should feel responsible for other extremist Muslims in the world who take it upon themselves to execute terrorist acts...

It would be akin to a black person issuing apologies for all the thefts, black on black crimes, etc that are committed by other blacks....I dont want to apologize for other people's acts, and I dont think Muslims want to either...

Its a NEVER-ENDING cycle....[/QUOTE]

Ah... But if we don't stand up and march in the streets every time some idiot does something wrong in another corner of the world, we are told, "Why don't you Muslims condemn terrorism? Why don't we see you people marching in the streets against this behavior?" Even though every single Islamic organization in America puts out press releases and statements immediately after some crazy overseas act, it is always the same statement, "Why don't you Muslims do something?" It is as they think we American Muslims can control what other people of another nationality, another ethnicity, another language, another government is doing in their own twisted perception of reality.
Think of it this way; what if you, an American, were living in another country that let's say America recently bombed and wiped out thousands of people, I imagine you'd have the weight of the American government on your shoulders there as you were in the midst of  people who were just victimized. However, would you feel you had control over America's president who just gave the order? Not in the short term, in the long term you could go home and vote for a different leader sometime in the future. However, I am a Muslim American, I don't have a government that controls my faith, we don't have a pope or someone that is elected to issue any rulings or anything and I don't have control over anyone who perverts Islamic faith teachings for their own nationalistic reasons, nor do I have control or influence over someone who accepts a perverted interpretation of the faith and feels justified in violence. Gracie Mae, you are right, but lots of American people will not accept that truth.
They feel justified in painting every single Muslim with the same broad brush.
So, we condemn, we denounce, we explain, until we are horse, but alas there will always be those people who have nothing better to do speak in generalities and speak with their hands over their ears, cutting and pasting stuff from the internet.
They'd have to find some other group of people to be bigoted against and that would mean doing more research. This Muslim bashing is much easier.