Unity and Society

May 19, 2009 • Weston Koyama  
Filed under Creative Writing, Features

 

            “You know the Muslim religion is essentially one of violence,” said Summit student Connor Price.  “I’m not saying all Muslim are like that, but isn’t violence essentially what the Qur’an teaches?”

            Price’s assertion was not mean-spirited or malicious; it reflects the relative ignorance of the American populace in general.

            Jewish photographer A.J. Markow backed out of a recent assignment to photograph Muslims because he felt “uncomfortable” in their presence.

            Like Price, who supports America’s involvement in the Middle East, the media, government, and people we talk to every day have largely shaped Markow’s perceptions about Islam, which rarely portrays Muslims in an accurate light.

            Even people who consider themselves tolerant of those with different faiths readily admit the societal prejudice present in America.

            “Before the terrorist attacks on September 11th, people still viewed Muslims differently,” said English teacher Mrs. McCormick.  “I think most people consider the Islamic faith to be somewhat misogynistic.”

            Senior student Shannon McGuire has also noticed the negative connotations people apply to Islam.  “When people think about Islam they usually think of terrorism in general,” said McGuire.

            These perceptions do not however represent the majority of people who call themselves Muslim, nor are they consistent with the teachings of the Muslims’ holy book— the Qur’an.

            Abdelkarim Aouri, an American immigrant from Morocco who now serves as the president of the Islamic Community of Central Oregon, works tirelessly to correct misperceptions about his faith.  “The word ‘Islam’ is an Arabic word which means submission, surrender, obedience, sincerity, and peace,” said Aouri.  “How can you see peace go with terrorism?  Peace/terrorism— they don’t go together.”

            As a convert to Islam, Aouri’s wife Laia is quick to defend her faith from allegations of misogyny.  “One hundred years ago in the United States women were not allowed to own property.  But fourteen hundred years ago Islam secured women the right to own property,” said Laia.  “Many rights that were denied to women before the advent of Islam are guaranteed in the Qur’an.  Islam also gives women the right to make marriage contracts and the right to work for her own money.”

            A woman’s head covering or hijab is worn as a sign of modesty around people outside her family, but such covering is never forced upon a woman.

            Despite Koranic stipulations that demand respect for women–especially mothers–the societal perception of misogyny continues.

            “If you are not trying to broaden your knowledge [about Islam] then you are confining yourself to a small box,” said Rashid Gelam, a Malaysian Muslim living in America.  “What will happen is you will start answering questions based on your limited knowledge, which can be offensive to many people.”

            Gelam suggested that much of the misperceptions about Islam have been due to people’s unwillingness to “go outside” the confines of their societal “box.”

            “People always focus on the differences between Islam and their faith,” said Aouri.  “But if people really learned about Islam they would find many similarities.

            “We believe in all the holy prophets— Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus— peace be upon them all,” said Aouri.  “The Qur’an confirms the Biblical account of Jesus’ miracle (virgin) birth, and his mother Mary is considered by us to the purest woman in all creation.”

            The reverence with which Muslims view the Abrahamic prophets is evidenced in their everyday references to them.  “Muslims never refer to Jesus simply as Jesus, but always with the phrase ‘peace be upon him’ out of respect,” said Aouri.

            As Aouri pointed out, Muslims believe Islam is an extension of the same religion practiced by Jews and Christians, not a new religion.  “We don’t worship Muhammad, peace be upon him; we believe that his teaching is the continuation of the same message that has been revealed to all the prophets.”

            Gelam quickly pointed out the benefits of tolerance espoused by his beliefs.  “In Malaysia only sixty percent of the population is Muslim— the rest are Christians, Buddhist, and Hindus.  And they live right next to each other without any problems.”

            Applying the same tolerance to America may be a challenge, but mutual understanding through education seems to be the right step.

            “When students study Islam they will learn Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, compassion, love, and the forgiveness of God,” said Aouri.  “They will realize that Islam has nothing to do with the extremely grave acts of violence that have been associated with the faith.”

            Aouri cited Chapter Five, verse thirty-two of the Qur’an to support his assertions.  “Chapter Five, verse thirty-two says that if any person kills another human being it is as if he killed all humanity.  But if a person saves another human being it is as if he saved all humanity.”

            Although many students insist on clinging to their misperceptions about people different from them, Aouri warns that prejudice threatens everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

            “Today prejudices might affect Muslims, but tomorrow it will affect another group,” said Aouri.  “In this community we need to get together and try to find where we agree [on matters of personal belief] instead of looking at differences,” said Aouri.

            Indeed it is this sense of unity that makes a society.