Muslim Communities the Muslim Community: Essay

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S.

, America's Muslims were put "at risk of becoming the nation's focus of anger" (Dilley, 2001, par. 1)

One common misconception about Muslims is that we are violent terrorists when in fact Islam does not allow the murder of innocent people. The Koran even mentions, "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." Yes indeed it may be true that jihad or holy wars were practiced during Islam's revelation as it is sometimes used for religion's expansion and defense purposes. But we should know that most of the time, Islam spread because of negotiations, exposure, and preaching (Hossain, 2004).

Another misconception is that all Arabs are Muslims. Muslims, in fact, are composed of various ethnicities, of which on 18% are Arabs. There are Muslims from Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Indian subcontinent to name a few (ibid).

Women belonging in the Muslim community are also believed by many as greatly oppressed. Media's portrayal of women as insignificant and subject to cruelty and abuse is heavily misaligned. In fact, since more than 1,400 years women were considered full by the Islamic law -- having the right to vote, own properties, initiate divorce, earn money, inherit, and receive equal pay among many other rights recognized by the community. Many people also believe that the hijab (the cloth worn around the head of Muslim women) is seen as a way to keep women hidden and inferior to men., Truth is, wearing hijab is voluntary and that it signifies a woman's motivation to represent the value of modesty -- so that people will focus on her values and personality rather than her physical appearance (ibid).

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Hossain (2004) further adds that Muhammad is considered by most non-Muslims as the founder of the Islam religion. This is categorically not true because Islam was already sent even before Muhammad came to existence. Muhammad is a respected Muslim, a messenger of God, but nothing any more than that. Hence, to call Islam "Muhammadism" is tricky because Buddhism is called as such because Buddha founded the religion -- such does not apply in Islam.

Conclusion

This article aims to be informative, working on the level of description of Islam beliefs and practices which make up the Muslim community.

On a personal note, it is my objective to put forward the commonly-held misconceptions about the Muslim community in the hope that by understanding the religion's belief system, we may be able to erase people's negative and false views based on what has been portrayed about our community.

I would like to mention that discussing the present state of the Muslim community, the prejudice, negative perception, and misconceptions included, gave me a sense of identity because these are the exact same experiences I have had. By detailing the beliefs and practices, I felt the sense of identity that the community provides.

Indeed, the Muslim community goes through difficult circumstances largely owing to past events and societal portrayal but the unity and foundations of the community help each and every member such as myself to combat, surpass, and live through everyday life challenges......

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Latest APA Format (6th edition)

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"Muslim Communities The Muslim Community " (2009, October 17) Retrieved May 3, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/muslim-communities-muslim-community-18559

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"Muslim Communities The Muslim Community " 17 October 2009. Web.3 May. 2024. <
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Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

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"Muslim Communities The Muslim Community ", 17 October 2009, Accessed.3 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/muslim-communities-muslim-community-18559