Sadique Muncey, ContributorSince the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in the United States of America, there has been a series of misinformation and stereotyping of Muslims and Islam that continues to make headlines through the various channels of mass media.
Depicting Muslims as terrorists though, is not a new image of today but originated with the Phantom and Mandrake series in which the "villains" and "robbers" are always projected as an Arab wearing a beard, clad in long garments and unleashing swords mercilessly. Transforming such imagery into the real world, does prove difficult for those depicted.
The 9/11 attacks coupled with biased coverage by some segments of the media and intentional misinformation of Islamic principles by others, have surely escalated those difficulties.
For millions of Muslim males, the beard constitutes a distinctive feature of his dress code. This comes from a command to do so found in the Sunnah ( Prophetic Traditions) of Muhammad. It also is necessary to point out that this was the way of the Prophets of Allah (God) and emulating them in this way should in no way be viewed as a sign of an extremist, a fundamentalist or a terrorist. Contrary to public opinion, this practice is not based on cultural habits, or as some may hold, is it the attire of Satan!
Why then when a Muslim grows his beard, is he termed a fundamentalist yet when the Sikhs, Rastas and Jews do so they are looked upon as religiously devoted!
And this type of stereotyping continues to unfold in the portrayal of the Muslim woman and her Hijaab (covering from head to feet), as being oppressive but when nuns garb themselves in it, they are regarded as being modest and dedicated to the cause of God. Also one may ask why is it when a non-Muslim woman decides to stay at home she is considered as one who has made a sacrifice for her family and society but when a Muslim woman does so she is looked at as being backward and non-progressive?
One may also enquire again, why is it when Muslim countries implement the death penalty for crimes against society they are viewed as barbaric and uncivilised yet when other nations execute the electric chair penalty it is seen as a solution for eradicating crime and violence?
Such stereotyping about Muslims and Islam will continue so long as those responsible for educating the general public do so in a biased and mischievous manner with the intent of sowing seeds of discord among lands and peoples.
Sadique Muncey teaches Islam.
