In celebration of Ramadan, CSID held a community Iftar Dinner on October 29, 2004 and organized a program on “How to Improve the Image of Islam in the United States.” The Iftar was extremely well attended (over 100 people) by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The invited guests included academics, policy makers, students, journalists and members of the media.
Misrepresentations and distortions of Islam in the American media were examined by two invited speakers: Ms. Anisa Mehdi, a news writer, documentary film producer and journalist who reports on religion and the arts; and the Chair of CSID’s board of directors, Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina, and professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia. After the presentations, a lively discussion followed during the Q & A.
In her examination of how to improve the image of Islam in America, Medhi suggested that Muslims become more involved in such fields as business and the arts so that coverage of Muslim activities could appear in different newspaper sections and not just on the front page in association with militant activities and terrorism. Participating and becoming more involved in the media and obtaining degrees in journalism and communications was also encouraged. In her estimation, however, the proper use of language provided a major channel through which the image of Islam and Muslims could be greatly improved. She explained that instead of defining terrorist activities by the word “jihad,” which means to strive or struggle for self betterment from an ethical and moral perspective, Muslims and mainstream American media should use correct language that defines terrorist acts committed by Muslim extremists. In so doing, the true meaning of jihad and the image of Islam would not be destroyed. Although she suggested the use of “neo-jihad” as a term to define terrorist or militant activities, she explained that she didn not mean to offend people who are engaged in a true jihad. Actually, the Arabic word that accurately defines terrorist activities is hirabah (war against society, terrorism, and/or destructive acts committed against mankind).
During the Q & A, one of the guests stated that the Arabic word “muharibun” defines militant activity or terrorism, rather than the word “jihad.” “Muharibun,” like the Arabic word hirabah are derived from the Arabic root word hariba (to fight, go to war, become enraged or angry). The media expert said that “unfortunately it’s highly unlikely that the American media will pick up on the word ‘muharibun,’ to define terrorist activities, so it’s worth the effort to push an easier more acceptable pop-term like ‘neo-jihad.’ " However, the most expedient way to improve the image of Islam is to apply the actual Arabic word hirabah to define the terrorist activities that are giving Muslims negative front-page coverage.
In his analysis, Dr. Sachedina stressed the important role that academia plays in correcting the image of Islam since academics are called upon by policy makers for expert advice, information and commentaries. He added that after 9/11, the new trend in academia is to seek Muslim scholars instead of non-Muslims to teach Islamic studies. Sachedina encouraged Muslims to start specializing in the arts, literature and Islamic studies instead of “just the sciences” (e.g., engineering, medicine, etc).
An analysis of how and why America is judged for its foreign policy in the Middle East was also highlighted in his examination of the need to improve the image of Islam. He added that Muslims can also correct the negative stereotypical image of Islam by being vocal against oppressive regimes in the Muslim world since these regimes basically strengthen violence. Why Muslims in the US do not vocalize their condemnation of evil terrorist acts committed in Muslim countries was also a focal point in his analysis.
