In this post 9/11 decade, our world continues to brim with tension, discord and conflict. Americans now seem to be even more concerned about "Islamic radicalism", violence and terrorism thanks to our media and its agenda setting, while the overwhelming majority of Muslims in the Arab world condemn terrorism as an affront to Islam. Generalizations and stereotypes abound about Arab Muslims. Everything from polygamy, terrorism and violence, Islam, their marriage system, and women's rights to being walking time bombs living in a collectivistic society.
People are going to generalize; it's human nature. What we must learn to do is be alert so that we recognize blanket generalizations when we hear them; allowing them to raise a red flag within our minds. Culturally, not all generalizations and stereotypes are false. Some are partially true and others might be right on. Regardless, the main message here is to seek to understand rather than judge when we hear a generalization simply because there are no right or wrong - black or white - answers. One of the best ways to demystify Arab cultural practices is to dissect the generalizations associated with them. Take, for example, a commonly-held generalization that Americans have about Muslims. Islam is a radical, backward religion.
Islam and Christianity are not as globally different as one might first think. In fact, they share many similarities. Both Muslims and Christians believe in the one true God as the creator, in the angels He created, in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind, in Judgment Day and individual accountability for one's action, in God's complete authority over human destiny, and in life after death. Neither religion condones suicide.
A major difference, of course, is the Islamic belief that God's message was revealed to Prophet Muhammed - a mortal man - in the form of the Quran; whereas, Christians believe the Bible is the word of God and Jesus, the son of God. Muslims believe that God dictates a government's legitimacy. This is in contrast to our belief that America was founded on a clear separation of church and state and that elected officials preside over our government. Islam is more than a religion; it is a way of life. Muslims are not individuals following God. When you become a Muslim, you are accepted as a brother and sister to all of the other world-wide Muslims in this society-based religion.
It is important to distinguish between religion and culture. Although intertwined, they are also very separate. Arab is a culture and Islam is a religion. Not all Arabs are Muslim and not all Muslims are Arabs. In fact, Arabs make up only 15-18% of the Muslim world. (Indonesia claims the vast majority of Muslims.)
Because the Arab culture came before Islam, the culture often takes precedence over the religion. For example, in most Gulf Arab countries, children attending government (public) schools are separated by sex. That is, boys go to a boy's school and girls attend all-girls' schools. This is culture and has nothing to do with Islam.
Parents are held accountable to God for the way they raise their children. This is an example of the Arab culture and religion holding the same weight. Sharia law is the legal framework that guides the lives of Muslims. This system is often cited when zealots go on a campaign kick proclaiming how radical and backward Islam is.
There's that generalization again. Did just hearing it prompt you to form an opinion? Have you ever wondered how opinions are formed? I can think of five components right off the top of my head: lack of facts, listening to what others say without thinking for ourselves, ignorance, prejudice, and justifying a generalization by pointing to the actions of a few garnering all the media attention. Most Americans don't understand - or are unaware - that Islam is interpreted and practiced differently depending on the Islamic country.
Islam has two complementary aspects. There is the set of unchangeable principles that guide behavior, values and faith, and then there is a second one consisting of practical application for the first. These applications adapt and evolve according to conditions and the ever-changing times, and yes, these applications vary by country.
We constantly hear about the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Taliban's version of Islam, according to experts, is often described as narrow minded, intolerant and punitive. Their practice of Islam is very different from "mainstream" Islam, which is generally thought of as moderate and flexible. Raja Zafar ul-Haq, an Islamic scholar and Pakistani political activist, tries to close the gap when he counters the argument about Sharia law and punishments, such as cutting off a thief's hand. "They don't realize that there are 13 preconditions that have to be met before that punishment is ordered. That's why nobody's hand is ever cut off here," says Zafar ul-Haq.
Much of the radical violence associated with Islam originated with Osama bin Laden and his salifist belief that violence - rather than peaceful means - was the way to solve Islam's "problems". A strong minority of these extremists exist, having originated in Saudi Arabia, and are using their ideology to export violence worldwide for political gains. If you believe promoting awareness and understanding is important, a good first step is to recognize a generalization when you hear it. Don't unabashedly repeat it or accept it as truth. Demystifying cultures and religions begins with dispelling ignorance and blanket generalizations.
Mary Coons works with professionals who want to communicate more clearly in the marketplace. She does this through writing. Mary also works with different entities who want to leave a lasting legacy by documenting their family stories and life histories.
Culturally Speaking: Promoting Cross-Cultural Awareness in a Post-9/11 World was a finalist for two U.S. book awards for literary excellence in 2008 and '09.The book is available through http://www.bookhousefulfillment.com, http://www.culturallyspeak.com or amazon.com
Coons is also the international editor for the Bahrain Telegraph, a monthly business magazine of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
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