Enmity in relations between Muslims and Western public is continuing to aggravate as both sides hold negative stereotypes of the other.
There are many causes that provoke anger in relationships between the West and Islam. Large numbers of people in the west see Islam as a religion that promotes extremism, which is wrong, as acts of the Taliban and other radical groups should not overshadow true Islam. Adversity in relations increased after 9/11. In the west the stance of non-Muslims was highly hostile. Many blameless Muslims were tortured, Hijab was humiliated, and men with beard were deemed Islamic Radicals etc. The conduct of the west was also severe and vicious, as they had apprehended many innocents against whom no charges were proved. Inhuman Guantánamo Bay detention center is one of the instances of the cruelty. The attempts to inflame Muslims were also witnessed such as cases of burning of the Holy Quran by a discriminatory priest and a recent offensive film which has been filmed to insult Prophet Mohammad (PBUH); furthermore this film has been widely spread over the YouTube website causing agitation among Muslims. Drone attacks, sanctions, violating domestic laws of Muslims for ‘so called’ security purposes and apprehensions of innocents are the instances which are highly responsible for widespread hatred for the west among the Muslims.
However, problems are found on both sides since many madcap Muslims also exist who don’t have tolerance and they are inclined to handle matters with fight despite presenting any logical arguments. Imposing fatwas on the west or regarding them as hell dwellers is not the stance they should hold. There are also many radical groups who mislead other Muslims into feud against the west, misstating it as Jihad. Similarly, even in America there are Muslims who exhibit inflexible behavior in their daily lives such as Muslim cab drivers refusing passengers from carrying alcoholic beverages or drugs.
It is true that Muslims are now an integral part of western society. There are a lot of examples of Muslim comedy groups, rap groups, Scout troops and magazines. Muslims have been vocal in other forms of media as well.
Relationships can be improved with the help of media and by reviewing foreign policies. Muslim and western countries’ media should join heads and organize programs in order to eradicate misconceptions and promote peace and harmony, such as VOA (Voice of America). Both Muslims and Western public should show flexibility in attitudes by giving each other room. In Muslim countries awareness must be developed among the people that all the problems and miseries they are facing are not caused by western countries. Mostly Islamic states hold very negative stereotypes of western countries, i.e. they see America as culprit. On the other hand NATO operations in Muslim countries should be minimized to the extent of terrorists only. There have been substantial killings of innocent Muslims by NATO forces which have added fuel to fire leading to abhorrence in Muslims for western countries.
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