I think that this is an important question. I believe that although it seems like the West doesn't try to understand Islam, this is not inclusively representative of all people from the "West". There are definitely individuals in the West who may not try to understand Islam. but these are the individuals who do not try to understand Buddhism, Hindu, Paganism, or any other religion they do not feel they belong to. Just as there are these people, there are also people like myself who are learning about Islam and who are interested in other cultures. It completely depends on the individual person so I can say that I and my classmates are at least one group of Westerners who are trying very hard and have put a lot of time into trying to understand Islam. Also, there are people from the West who have converted to Islam, so there's got to be some sort of knowledge about the religion within sections of the West.
After 9/11 in the US many people began to explore Islam. Mostly searching for answers or motives that would justify what occurred on that day. Though the curiosity has somewhat died down since then, many people are still trying to understand Islam and are accepting of Muslims. Though most Americans are not inquisitive and so are fairly unaware of the current issues in the Middle East they are more likely to have based their opinions based on whatever news has managed to reach their ears.
I think it is not accurate to say the west doesn't try to understand Islam. The west and Islam believe in very different values. Lots of people feel like the West does not try to understand but I think it is more accurate to say the West try to understand Islam the way they know the best not the way Islam think it should be. Two very different groups can face difficulties based on different ways of communicating and understanding. It is not because they don't try but it is because they expect each other to understand themselves with the way they want/expect. I think that is part of the problem.
I believe there are many in the West who are trying to understand Islam and that number is growing all the time. Unfortunately, there is also a media machine that profits from fear and conflict. When I was a child I was told by the news and by film to be afraid of Russians and Communism. Since 1990, americans have been told by the media and films to be afraid of Muslims. This is a sad reality that is creating a large cultural divide. 911 only made this worse.
That said, there are so many Muslims living and prospering in America and Europe and more and more people are knowing Muslims as friends and family members. I have so many good friends in Turkey and Egypt now. My best friend's sister married a man from Sudan and has converted to Islam. They have two beautiful children now.
The reality of human relationships is fighting against the negative propaganda coming from the media. So I am optimistic that understanding will grow over time.
This is a problem everyone who wants to follow his desires . his heart became black and the seal of God on his heart he does not want to hear of Islam, unfortunately.
I think that this is an important question. I believe that although it seems like the West doesn't try to understand Islam, this is not inclusively representative of all people from the "West". There are definitely individuals in the West who may not try to understand Islam. but these are the individuals who do not try to understand Buddhism, Hindu, Paganism, or any other religion they do not feel they belong to. Just as there are these people, there are also people like myself who are learning about Islam and who are interested in other cultures. It completely depends on the individual person so I can say that I and my classmates are at least one group of Westerners who are trying very hard and have put a lot of time into trying to understand Islam. Also, there are people from the West who have converted to Islam, so there's got to be some sort of knowledge about the religion within sections of the West.
ReplyDeleteAfter 9/11 in the US many people began to explore Islam. Mostly searching for answers or motives that would justify what occurred on that day. Though the curiosity has somewhat died down since then, many people are still trying to understand Islam and are accepting of Muslims. Though most Americans are not inquisitive and so are fairly unaware of the current issues in the Middle East they are more likely to have based their opinions based on whatever news has managed to reach their ears.
ReplyDeleteI think it is not accurate to say the west doesn't try to understand Islam.
ReplyDeleteThe west and Islam believe in very different values. Lots of people feel like the West does not try to understand but I think it is more accurate to say the West try to understand Islam the way they know the best not the way Islam think it should be.
Two very different groups can face difficulties based on different ways of communicating and understanding. It is not because they don't try but it is because they expect each other to understand themselves with the way they want/expect.
I think that is part of the problem.
I believe there are many in the West who are trying to understand Islam and that number is growing all the time. Unfortunately, there is also a media machine that profits from fear and conflict. When I was a child I was told by the news and by film to be afraid of Russians and Communism. Since 1990, americans have been told by the media and films to be afraid of Muslims. This is a sad reality that is creating a large cultural divide. 911 only made this worse.
ReplyDeleteThat said, there are so many Muslims living and prospering in America and Europe and more and more people are knowing Muslims as friends and family members. I have so many good friends in Turkey and Egypt now. My best friend's sister married a man from Sudan and has converted to Islam. They have two beautiful children now.
The reality of human relationships is fighting against the negative propaganda coming from the media. So I am optimistic that understanding will grow over time.
This is a problem everyone who wants to follow his desires . his heart became black and the seal of God on his heart he does not want to hear of Islam, unfortunately.
ReplyDelete