So I'm in US and I'm watching CNN today.
They have a program about faith and President Obama's speech in Turkey, that "We are not at war with Islam."
They then gave statistics, some of which were;
1. 48% of Americans don't trust our Muslim Allies
2. 53% of Americans don't personally know anyone who is Muslim.
I think it's tragic that these are the statistics. I have some wonderful friends in the UAE (I'm American) and throughout the GCC and consider Abu Dhabi my second home.
How can this perception be changed? Why is it that with all the positive things going on in the UAE/Qatar/Oman, there is still a negative view of Islam?
The opinions offered were that many Muslims do not speak out against the extreme faction and this was also an opinion voiced by a woman Arab reporter.
The survey also said that the majority of Muslims in the US enjoyed their life, although they did find there were some difficulties with other people accepting them.
What is the solution, a spokesperson from the UAE?
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8 comments:
So the majority (error rate could bump the statistic above 50%) of Americans dont trust someone they dont personally know... That makes alot of sense.
Just like most Americans. Common sense was never infused into that country.
But, can you blame them? We are talking about a country who's geography curriculum is based on which countries they have bombed... oh, and the UK. they know where that is.
Another thing is if say, a martian had flown 2 planes into buildings here, I wouldnt trust martians, so I'll give that to them. I cant blame them.
As for the "extreme faction" it isnt the layman's job to speak out against every which way. This is a cultural thing. the western culture is to bitch about everything. even if that individual isnt directly involved in the issue. Not so in most Muslim countries, and that culture is taken back to the US when muslims immigrate.
Another explanation is MANY MANY muslims AGREE with what these "factions" do. I remember people in Abu Dhabi CHEERING when the WTC was hit in 2001.
Why so? well, you stick your nose into too many people's business, you annoy too many people, and it's bout to happen. You never see people attacking Canadians do you?
What can be done? Send them Haifa Wahbe and a box of durex. Or send them me! Hell, I could be an "Ambassador" of the muslim world!
In all seriousness, Mr. Obama is on the right track, in such a little time I cant fault the guy for "trying"
Because seriously, if you gave this poll here, but reversed the roles, at least 60% of muslims here would say they dont trust Americans. So I think he is doing a good job reaching out.
What he said in Turkey yesterday was very inspiring. Abut the US and the Muslim world.
I am annoyed though that the so called muslim world hasnt responded. He is putting himself out there, our leaders should as well. Especially powerhouses like the KSA, Egypt, Iran, and Indonesia.
Where they go others, like the UAE, will follow.
The solution is education on two fronts.
The first front is education of Muslims around the world. Whether they be sucicidal maniacs who believe that killing themselves and innocents will take them to heaven, or they are so called "moderates" who hide their women away indoors. When viewed from the outside world, Islam seems backwards, barbaric and sexist. It is like Christianity 600 years ago, with the present Muslim version of Witch Hunts, beheadings and inquisitions. The people must be educated not by Imam's and madrasas that further indoctrinate them into the blind sheep like followers that we see today, but by teachers, scientists and liberal minded people that teach them morality, equality, science and humanitarianism.
Secondly, the west must re-educate itself. People in the west, especialy in the USA have no idea about any other culture or country. They are mindless moron's who watch endless amounts of MTV and spend their last earnings on meaningless junk. They know more about what Brittney Spears had for breakfast then they do about the Countries that they have invaded in the last 100 years. Leading to the stupid question of "why do they hate us".
It all boils down to ignorance. On the one hand the ignorance created by religion and on the other hand the ignorance created by consumerism and capitalism.
It's sad to say that when two ignorant people come face to face, there is no resolution through dialogue, but usualy through violence.
What is the big deal. The relation is mutual. It isn't like the US reputation is any better in the region so they should be working on that before.
but by teachers, scientists and liberal minded people that teach them morality, equality, science and humanitarianism.
Hah! All the American liberal university system did was make me more sure that the US is beyond a shadow of a doubt the cesspool of the insipid and stagnant of "humanity."
Oh yes, WE are sexist. need we watch the 3 guys on girl videos that the US produces with pride? Very moral and takes women's rights into account.
Moderates? Sad beings tryying t be something they arent.
The US had it right when Clinton said to the Chinese not far back ago that some issues we need to agree to disagree on. What's "barbaric" to you is the way to me, and whats "liberal" to you is immoral and dehumanizing to me. LIVE WITH IT. Because it isnt going to change, especially not by a backwards country that has only been around for 200 some odd years.
And when it comes to "liberal minded" people, I am with the hardline Christian based GOP, round them up, and send them to the bottom of the sea.
It all boils down to ignorance. On the one hand the ignorance created by religion and on the other hand the ignorance created by consumerism and capitalism.
So all our ailments should be blamed on something else. Or someone else. But in this case, something else. Religion, capitalism, consumerism... ghosts? Maybe? Or Adidas running shoes! Shall we blame those as well?
No, people are the problem. People are stupid. And mass suicide is the only solution. The earth was here before humans, it will be very happy without humans.
Great little Post pointing out the duplicity of American politics!!
Some points though worth mentioning here:
1) Re: "...is still a negative view of Islam?" - we need to understand that UAE/Oman/Qatar are just countries, not "Islam" itself. Due to their mostly open-arms policy, they are not strictly regarded as "Islam" propagating countries, like KSA and Iran
2) Despite its fast growth as a world religion, Islam has neither been able to condemn nor control the fanatics and fundamentalists within its rank and file, which unfortunately paints a extremist picture worldwide
2) Despite its fast growth as a world religion, Islam has neither been able to condemn nor control the fanatics and fundamentalists within its rank and file, which unfortunately paints a extremist picture worldwide
That is inpart because Islam as a religion doesnt have a head anymore. A "pope" figure. And hasnt for about... (correct me if I'm wrong here) Uthman Ibn Affan. After him, Ali was the leader, and the whole Sunni Shi3a rift happened.
Now, WHO would be such a head? and who would head an actual council, where Ijma3 can be taken and ENFORCED?
Muslims cant even agree on basic things like where you place your hands while praying, so dont expect anything huge in this century.
You shouldnt be bothered by stats, there is an old saying, "there are white lies, lies and then there is statistics"
Cheers !
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