Fostering a new image of Islam

Arab News ^ | 10-14-02 | Dr. Abdul Qader Tash

[SJackson]

Is it possible to change West’s idea of Islam?

Changing Islam’s image in the West

What have we done to change our image?

[angkor]

We must remind Westerners of their own responsibility — that they shoulder some of the burden in correcting the mistakes of the past centuries.

Interesting (but not surprising), the first point of action is to blame "the West" for the failings of Islam.

[I still care]

I would think to change their image number one would be to stop Islamists from blowing up innocent people. Number two would be to stop dancing in the streets everytime innocents are killed. That might be a good start.

[Diogenesis]

Islam's Image
Islamic treatment of women.

Islamic treatment of the USA and Americans.

Islamic biology.

Islamic Engineering (viral-ridden debris of Hamacide )

[joesnuffy]

We cant change our "core values" so we need to change our image...
Current 'Trojan Horse' isnt working as well as we would like...
Try radio spots in Bali

[Clovis_Skeptic]

we must reach the Western mind using means and methods suited to that mind. Westerners themselves believe that there has been a deficiency in defining Islam in the West.

Why not use the socialist/communists/homosexuals approach, and take over the education system.

First, rewrite all the history books. Then teach the children the evils of Christianity. Censor all information that would be anti-Islamic. And there you have it!

[JackOfVA]

Actually, it's pretty simple:

(1) Toleration of other religions
(2) Separation of state and mosque with freely elected secular governments
(3) Human rights for all citizens of Islamic countries
(4) Reformation of Islam to purge the worst elements of both doctrine and practice
(5) Wholehearted cooperation in finding perps and preventing violence against the west.

Probably didn't catch all the issues, but these should be a good start.

Jack

[blam]

At War With EVIL

[San Jacinto]

So to improve the poor image of Muslims is to infiltrate and influence Western Culture.

No mention of tracking down and capturing Islamist mass murderers. No real surprise there.

[T'wit]

It's as if all of Islam had hired bin Laden to do its public relations. The only thing we get from Islam is savagery and madness. The message we hear is bombs -- mostly cowardly ambushes against unarmed civilians, women, children. Does the Muslim world rise up to denounce these outrages? No, it applauds, throws candies to the children, and falsely blames everyone but themselves. Its leaders and clerics call for even more attacks.

If they want us to hear their pleas, let them start by cleaning their own house.

[ladyinred]

Blame America first! Arabs and the left seem to have something in common. Wonder how many leftists would do that if a democrat was the President?
It would take a miracle to get me to change my opinion of either of the above.

[EverOnward]

We must instead present Islam as a message of guidance and mercy to all people and one that will bring them peace and blessings. Personally, I've lived my entire life very well without Islam and only in the past few years has my life been diminished drastically. Why? Islam. 'Nuf said.

[roses of sharon]

I have e-mailed them with my thoughts, (and pictures), you all should too.

I tried to be logical in explaining to them that the US does not see any, none whatsoever, rationalization for the killing of innocents, for any political or religious reasons. I told them you CANNOT talk about them in the same breath.

We should all follow Major Guiliani's lead when he returned the Saudi check.

[ladyinred]

Why not use the socialist/communists/homosexuals approach, and take over the education system.

It seems they are already using that approach with the help of the left. Some schools are requiring the reading of the Koran, and I am sure telling them to disregard the passages referring to death to the infidels.

[fatidic]

Islam can give America guidance to become like any one of those model islamic societies which all decent and intelligent people enevy. Sounds like a plan to me.

[PatrickHenry]

Image problem?

[Uncle Miltie]

The most pressing question we must ask in changing the West’s distorted image of Islam and Muslims is “What must we do?”

Uh, stop killing innocent civilians?

Condemn those that do kill innocent civilians in the name of Allah?

Pre-empt those who kill innocent civilians in the name of Allah?

The spin-meistering of the author leaves the death and destruction caused by Islam out of the discussion. I suggest instead that he start the discussion by controlling the violence spawned by Islam.

[txjeep]

the West’s distorted image of Islam

I think the image of Islam is all to clear in the West. I have often said that lack of criticism of terrorists by US muslims (protected by the 1st Amendment) speaks volumes. It is essentially tacit approval. I am no expert on Islam and do not care to be, but from what I have observed, it is the rest of the world (and the Left) that sees the distorted image ("religion of peace"). The pics posted above speak louder than any fabricated image they can conjure up.

[SJackson]

I have e-mailed them with my thoughts, (and pictures), you all should too.

Polite, I hope. Thats always a good idea. I've invited authors of similar articles to come to FR and post responses, but thus far with no luck. Here's a list of Dr. Abdul Qader Tash's other articles and an E Mail link if anyone else wants to write.

[roses of sharon]

Being logical means being polite, I believe.