The way in which the world perceives the Muslims depends on the window through which they see them. In other words, the reason for which a number of stereotypes are used against Muslims can be linked to the way they are being presented by the media. When President G. Bush initiated the operation desert shield by transferring more than 200,000 soldiers to Saudi Arabia, New York Times Magazine pointed out towards the increase in the anti-Muslim approach of the American Government. It also mentioned that the present bigotry is thriving on the use of slanderous stereotypes against Islam. Soon after the war, General Norman told the American soldiers they should take home a new concept i.e. Islam is not a religion that you should fear, and you should always respect it as you all are Americans. It is quite unfortunate that through the use of the broadcast news, a new wave of anti-Muslim views had spread out across the US, the UK, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and many other countries. The consequences of the role played by the broadcast media are still evident. Till now, millions of Muslims all over the world have been affected by this prejudicial and harsh treatment.
When the World Trade Center was bombed in the year 2001, it was never revealed that only Muslims were involved in it. But still, all the Muslim Nations had been targeted in response to these bombings. James Brooke, who used to be a reporter for New York Times, asserted that it is quite unfortunate that the reports that have been released about the bombings have linked all the Muslims to domestic terrorism. Immediately after the bombing had been carried out, top TV channels and broadcasters claimed that Islam is to be held responsible for these acts.
Moreover, the suspects who had been arrested in this regard where also shown to have a religious affiliation. In other words, the police preferred to arrest those individuals who in their view were religious. What’s more unjust is the fact that most of the arrests had been made without any substantial evidence, which indeed elucidates a prejudicial approach towards Islam.
These reports completely ignored all other Mafia and extremist groups that are still active in the US and Canada. Richard Cohen, a well know columnist of those times, stated that an unknown fear of Islam lies rooted deep in the western cultures. What the world needs to know is the fact that America and Canada have a history of being the centers of extremist acts and terrorism. Contrary to what most of you might be thinking, most of these acts had been carried out by the Americans militants and right wing extremists themselves. Derrick Z. Jackson, a reporter in America, also stated that most of the countries make use of a double standard approach when it comes to Muslims as they place a number of stereotypes against all Muslims, but not for all the Christians, Jews and Hindus. From all this, it is clear that Islam is being stereotyped in a planned and systematic manner.
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