News
There exists an anti-Muslim, anti-Arab sentiment in the American media especially since September 11th, 2001. Islam symbolizes brutality, hatred, and extremism to many Americans because of negative portrayal in the media.
“Anti-Western behavior on the part of radical Islamic groups has arisen from their perception of the West as “a symbol for a way of life” that is utterly secular and anti-Islam. The involvement of the United States and other Western countries in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an additional contributing factor to the anti-Western sentiment of radical Islamic communities. Intrinsic differences in political and religious values between the West and the Muslim world also contribute to the problem.”
- Dr. Jacob D. Dodson, Regent University
- Dr. Jacob D. Dodson, Regent University
Typically, the messages of Muslim extremists get a disproportionate amount of press coverage because of their threatening nature. However, the problem is that these messages and behaviors are seen as part of Islamic doctrine, and thus tend to get superimposed onto all Muslims, extreme or not.
Ground Zero Mosque Conflict
A prime example of the superimposition of extremism was the “Ground Zero Mosque” conflict of last year, where there was a significant and flagrant opposition to the building of a community center on the “hallowed ground” of the U.S. World Trade Center (though in reality being several blocks away from the site).
This is a clear violation of the free exercise of religion clause of the first amendment, yet, to many people, the fear of Muslims outweighed the idea of individual liberties.