Over recent months, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has gained significant ground in the Middle East. This group, which the United States and other nations have labeled as a terrorist organization, has led to a widespread anti-Muslim sentiment that poses a major risk to Americans.
The Basic History and Core Beliefs Of Islam
Islam is a 7 th -century-based, monotheistic faith that states that Muhammad was the last prophet of God (Allah), and that Muhammad received revelations that were recorded in what's now known as the Qur'an. People who practice Islam (Muslims) believe in angels, as well as divine preordainment, an afterlife and resurrection. They are supposed to live by the five pillars of testimony (declaring faith in God alone), prayer, the giving of alms, fasting and a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. In this way, Islam and Christianity have many similarities. In fact, Muslims acknowledge that the fundamentals of their faith have been echoed many times, including by individuals such as Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus, whom they consider to have been prophets. They do not dismiss the teachings of these people, but rather follow the Qur'an given to Muhammad because they believe it is the only unaltered or "true" interpretation of God's word.
Islam and Jihad
Islam contains a concept called jihad, which scholars and Muslim leaders often distinguish into two types. The so-called "greater" jihad refers to the continual striving of a Muslim toward spiritual betterment and oneness with God--that is, the basic fight against sin, evil or the Devil. The second or "lesser" jihad refers to warfare against non-Muslims or those who threaten Islam--it is the only type of warfare Islam permits. Only a fraction of Muslims are active fighters or lesser jihadists.
When Fear Spawns Hate and a Negative Stereotype
Worldwide, Islam is the second largest religion, with the Muslim population estimated to be in the neighborhood of 1.5 billion. Within the Muslim group, only about 150,000 are members of ISIS. Of those ISIS members, only about a third are active soldiers as of 2014. Even though ISIS represents only a tiny fraction of Muslims, the heinousness of ISIS' jihadist activities has garnered them an almost continual media spotlight, which has shaped the way people think of Islam followers on a larger scale. Not understanding that the majority of Muslims are deeply critical of ISIS and denounce their behavior as contrary to Islam, many Americans have adopted an anti-Muslim ideology. As an example, in September 2014, the far-right group American Freedom Defense Initiative sponsored a series of anti-Muslim ads posted on New York city buses, as reported by Marisa Taylor of Aljazeera America.
An anti-Muslim stance is detrimental to America on several fronts. First, it creates unnecessary fear that disrupts and divides hundreds and even thousands of communities across the country. Muslims are facing intense discrimination in the workplace, for example, as found by a 2013 Carnegie Mellon study. They are turned away for services, as well--Arkansas gun range owner Jan Morgan made headlines in early October 2014 for declaring her facility a "Muslim-free zone". Although some individuals say Morgan's actions are justifiable given that her trade is associated with weaponry (hogwash given that Muslim citizens have the right to bear arms like anyone else), the refusal of services to Muslims has extended into other areas many people depend on in daily life. A Muslim woman from Boca Raton, Florida, for example, reportedly was refused the $20 in gas she needed for her car. This makes it very difficult for Muslims to develop skills, earn income and support the general economy. It also can strain the law enforcement and legal systems, whose members have to respond to conflict calls and spend time litigating cases.
Secondly, anti-Muslim concepts are being tied to politics. For instance, in October 2014, a photo was snapped of a truck reportedly from Oklahoma that combined anti-Muslim ideology with an attack on President Barack Obama, showing a decal that read, "Muslims Go Home And Take Obama With You!!". These kinds of messages foster mistrust of the entire administration, making it extremely difficult for Democrats and Republicans to find common ground, even on issues totally unrelated to the Middle East. As both sides struggle to reach agreement, ISIS has time to recruit, grow and plot attacks, putting the country in crisis.
Conclusion
Although Americans should not ignore the real threat that ISIS poses to the United States and larger world population, the members of this organization represent only a tiny percentage of Muslims, most of whom denounce the group's activity. Failure to recognize how Muslims view ISIS and the general core principles of Islam contributes to economic, social and political instability that the United States cannot afford.
Note: This article has been written by Wanda Marie Thibodeaux.
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