Introduction

During the weeks that followed September 11, 2001 a new awareness of Islam started toemerge.
Unfortunately there is only so much context the popular media can provide to help theAmerican
people understand the current events. When the trusted sources ran out, Muslim
leader‟s biggest fears were realized. The days that followed the terrorist attacks, several
Muslims, or those who just looked like Muslims, were victims of hate crimes. It is indeed
thecase that an entire generation is traumatized by Muslim stereotypes. How can a broadly
secularcountry as the United States, but with many Christian traditions provide space for a new
religionin its melting pot? Since 9/11 the anti-Muslim prejudice in America and around the
global isincreasing rapidly and dangerously in force and seriousness. The problem will be looked
atcloser because not enough action has been put to effect since the alarm was first raised about
thedevastating effect of Islamophobia.
What is Islamophobia?
In today‟s society there has been an increasing trend in the negative views of Islam. In a
poll conducted by the Washington post it was found that 46 percent of Americans share ageneral
ly negative view of Islam. On a similar note the Council on American-Islamic Relationscarried
out a poll that found one in four Americans have extreme anti-Muslim views . What isthe source
of this hatred? With the events of 9/11 aside the answer to this question wasinvestigated by a
British independent research group known as the Runnymede Trust. In their1997 report entitled
Islamophobia: a challenge for us all they proposed Islamophobia was theresult of several
components which included beliefs that Islam has no values in common withother cultures is
violent, aggressive and threatening is supportive of terrorism and engaged in a'clash of
civilisations' These views are also true for the United States. Considering these

Islamophobia: Issues, Challenges, and a Solution

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components it becomes clear Islamophobia is a product of the misunderstandings of Muslimsand

their religion.
Islam
Islam is the second largest religion in the world and there are currently around 5 millionMuslims
in the United States . The religion began during the mid seventh century in the Arabiaregion. It
was founded by the prophet Muhammed who was sent by God, known as Allah inIslam, to
spread his word. The Quran is the holy book of Islam, it contains the spoken word ofAllah to
Muhammed and has remained unchanged . To understand the religion of Islam one mustfirst be
aware of the values it teaches.
Values and Beliefs
In a 2004 survey conducted by Cornell University only 27 percent of Americans believeIslamic
values and beliefs are similar to Western/Christian values and beliefs. In fact Islamshares several
values and beliefs in common with Christianity. First of all, Islam believes thatthere is only one
God and it is the same god that is worshiped by Christians. They share the
same idea of the creation of earth, Chapter 50, verse 38 of the Quran states “W
e created theheavens and the earth and all between them in Six Days, nor did any sense of
weariness touch
us.” This coincides with the book of genesis of the Holy Bible where it preaches that God created
the heavens and earth in seven days. The two religions also share the belief that god molded
manfrom earth and breathed life into him.Secondly, Islam believes that god sent prophets to
earth to guide humans. They
even believe in some of the same prophets mentioned in the bible such as Moses and even Jesus

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(Gaudet). However, they do not believe Jesus was the son of God, instead they
considerMuhammed to be the culmination of all prophets including Jesus.Lastly, the Islam
faith preaches moral codes parallel to those of Christian belief. Figure 1is a chart showing verses
from the Quran that coincide with the 10 commandments given toMoses by God.Table 1
ISLAM

CHRISTIANITY

Qur'an 17:23
Thy Lord hath decreed that yeworship none but Him

Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other gods before Me
Qur'an 22
Avoid filthy rites associated withidols and also false invocations, remaining firmin faith towards God,
without associatinganyone with Him.

Exodus 20:4
You shall not make for yourselfan idol, or any likeness of what is in heavenabove or on the earth beneath or in the
waterunder the earth.

Qur'an 7:180
And Allah's are the best names,therefore call on Him thereby, and leave alonethose who violate the sanctity of His
names

Exodus 20:7
You shall not take the name ofthe Lord your God in vain

Qur'an 16:124
The Sabbath was only made(strict) for those who disagreed (as to itsobservance); But Allah will judge
betweenthem on the Day of Judgment, as to theirdifferences.
Exodus 20:8-11
Remember the sabbath day, tokeep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do allyour work, but the seventh day is a
sabbath ofthe Lord your God; in it you shall not do anywork,

Qur'an 17:23
Thy Lord hath decreed that ye
Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and your

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