Understanding Islam
More than a billion people are adherents to it. It is arguably the fastest growing religion in the world. Yet there seems to be a cloud of apprehension and fear that hangs over a lot of people in the United States when it comes to Islam. There has been much discussion and debate about the misconceptions about Islam and where they come from. Some say it is the media’s lack of positive coverage on the religion, while others suggest it is just a simple misunderstanding and ignorance of the faith. Whatever the case, I was curious as to why a religion and a culture that billions on the planet embrace and live by is so misunderstood and stereotyped against by some in the U.S and around the world.
I started to gain an interest in Islam and the Middle East shortly after the Iraq War began. Television reports were focused almost daily on the fighting and on the battle to oust Saddam Hussein. For the next few months and years, the world’s gaze is fixed on the Middle East, much like it is now. By the time Election 2008 had rolled around, Islam was a subject that many had trouble understanding and grasping. Although the Iraq War focused my attention on Islam, it wasn’t until the past Election that I began to have sympathy with Muslims in America. Everyone remembers it, the rumors and chain e-mails that circulated throughout the internet that stated that then-Senator Barack Obama was a Muslim and that he had taken his oath for the Senate on the Qur’an. Although the noise finally subsided after a while, there are still some out there today who claim our President is a Muslim. But what if he were? Would it matter? It shouldn’t. This is what former Secretary of State Colin Powell brought up in a now famous interview on “Meet the Press” in October of 2008: “He’s always been a Christian. But really the right answer is, what if he is [a Muslim]? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America.”
Fast forward to summer of this year. After the elections in Iran, reports of election fraud began to flood social media sites and major news organizations. Then the protests began. Young and old Iranians alike began to fill the streets of Tehran and cities all over the globe demanding the world take notice to what is happening. It was at this moment, watching the brave young people of Iran risking their lives for democracy and freedom, that I became inspired. The next few days millions across the globe watched as helpless Iranian citizens were mercilessly beaten and silenced by a cruel regime. Many gave up their lives for what we here in America sometimes all too often take for granted: freedom. Then after a week or two, the reports stopped. The protests quieted down, and everything went back to the way it was. That wasn’t the case in Iran though. There are still young Iranian students and civilians fighting for their freedom, waiting to be heard. Many have been jailed and tortured for simply speaking out against the Supreme Leader.
After the noise quieted down, I began to focus my attention on Muslims here in the United States. What was being done to spread the knowledge of Islam and defeat the misconceptions and prejudices? My search came close to home, right here at Middle Tennessee State University. The Muslim Students Association is one of the most active clubs on campus. Their goal is to “educate Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam through a variety of activities and events.” It’s safe to that the MSA has an uphill battle to climb when it comes to educating those who may not know a lot about Islam. Like the citizens of Iran, they too face an important struggle. One that is just as urgent and necessary as the battle for freedom in Iran. The battle to help Muslims who are fighting for freedom in Iran and around the globe starts with those who are educating others about Islam, an example being the MSA. These students know that knowledge is power, and with that power comes the chance to improve the lives of millions around the word.
