8 Reasons You Should Educate Yourself About Muslims

As global citizens, we are all responsible for learning about each other. Being informed leads to better relationships with people different than ourselves. Check out our list. We are sure you will learn something new.

1. Cultivation of Knowledge occurs through Engagement

Strive to pay attention to the details and issues relating to Muslim Americans. Muslim Americans face discriminatory acts due to the stereotypes individuals believe to be true through a lack of education. These issues have spanned over time, with changes not going to be immediately made overnight. Being open to guest speakers and educational programs is a step towards greater understanding and gaining more knowledge in regard to the topic. Read more

2. Education and deep understanding allow for insightful well-developed knowledge.

In 2002, a survey was conducted by the Gallop Poll in which Americans were asked what they knew about Islam, 54 percent admitted that they knew "not much" or "nothing" about Muslim beliefs. In 2007, several years after the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, that figure had increased to 57 percent. Read more

3. Be a critical consumer of media

You can’t believe everything you read in the news. Being conscious and critical when educating yourself is important as well as considering the source of your news. Fifty-seven percent of the reporting relating to Muslims had to do with the activities of so-called "Muslim militants," such as Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban, even though they make up only about one percent of all Muslims. Read more

4. The Muslim faith is growing exponentially

“Muslims could skyrocket from 1.5 billion in 2010 to 2.7 billion in 2050, which would account for 29.7 percent of the world's population. Pew Research predicts the number of Muslims could surpass the number of Christians sometime around 2070” (Devaney 2015). Read more

5. Muslims are people that have beliefs and values that could be different but they still deserve to be treated fairly and equally.

This study reinforces the idea that Muslims are constantly dehumanized and that we need to view all people as equal. We need to view all individuals as people and be more tolerant in our views. To avoid having misconceptions about humanity; we need to first focus on the reality of the human being and their different aspects, and then discuss the derived infinitive word from humanity, its meaning, virtues, and functions. Read more

6. Muslims promote peace

At its core, Islam is a religion of peace, a message reiterated many times throughout the Quran.

Muslims have spoken directly against terrorism and suicide bombings, stating they are unjust, evil and have no place in Islam. Read more

7. Muslim women are powerful strong women despite the popular myth that they are submissive.

Some think that in Islam a woman's place is in the home and they are not allowed outside without the permission of their husbands or male family members.

The Quran has several examples in which women are able to go freely and be amongst the community. Read more

8. Muslim women use their dress to show their empowerment and innate beauty

“Some think that Muslim women must cover their whole body, including face when in public. Women's dress code in Islam is one of the most focussed upon subjects not only in the Western media but also in Muslim countries, yet it remains one of the most distorted and misunderstood.”

The garments are worn as a profession of their faith, which can be similarly seen as what you wear can project a lot about a person. Being modest or wearing clothing less revealing allows people to really understand who the person is rather than be so consumed with their looks. Read more