Open any world newspaper or listen to any international television news channel, and you will be bombarded with headlines, commentary and spin about the global Arab Muslim community. It's what's making news in our tension-filled post-9/11 world. No wonder so many Americans believe that the Islamic world is an enemy!
But the Islamic world is NOT the enemy; ignorance is the enemy. Cultural stereotypes and ignorance - not geographical distances - separate countries and people. Despite the fact that US public polls indicated Americans' willingness and interest in learning about Arab Muslims and their fabric of society - particularly post-9/11 - damaging stereotypes and misleading generalizations continue circulating. We saw plenty of that spread like wildfire across the Internet and via email running up to the US presidential election.
Islam is undoubtedly the most misunderstood religion in the world. The average American is unfamiliar with how the Arab Muslim culture is integrated within its religion. The average Arab Muslim mistakenly assumes American views are strictly controlled by special interest groups opposed to Islam. In short, there is profound ignorance on both sides between what we know to be true and what we choose to believe. Make no mistake, both Americans and Arabs have strong opinions and clear stereotypes about each other.
As recent as June 2009, most Americans think Obama's pledge of "a new way forward" with the Muslim world is an important goal, even as nearly half continue to hold negative views about Islam, and a sizable number say that even mainstream adherents to the religion encourage violence, according to the results of a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Although 58 percent said Islam was a peaceful religion, 55 percent of those Americans polled admitted they are without a basic understanding of Islamic beliefs, and most don't know anyone who is Muslim. Clearly, American ignorance is a major issue.
America is making strides though abroad. US President Barack Obama is highly respected in the Arab world, and many Arab countries are cautiously optimistic about his administration as it relates to brokering Middle East peace.
If cultural stereotypes and misinformation really do separate Americans from the global Arab Muslim community, then what are Americans doing about it? We have cultural exchanges - educational and business - through many kinds of organizations, which are excellent hands-on experiences for participants. But how extensive and accurate is the outreach? What are churches, mosques, schools and parents doing and teaching?
What are some of the cultural stereotypes average citizens hear, and how are they addressed? Has American culture really destroyed family values? Is there widespread American media bias? Does Islam really preach violence and death? Are Americans intolerant of Arab Muslims and their culture? What can we do to bridge the cultural gap?
First, seek to learn about the differences and not to judge. Be open minded and willing to listen. Get involved; something as simple as volunteering to help your community. During the Spring 2009 flooding along the Minnesota and North Dakota border, Minnesotans and some Iraqi Muslims worked side by side sandbagging. This gave them the opportunity to get to know one another. Find an email pen pal to correspond with. Travel abroad when possible and then try to immerse yourself into the local culture.
Arabs and Americans share the most common desires for humanity; peace, respect, love of family, educational goals and economic aspirations, and basic sustenance in our currently challenged economies with their vast global effects. Yet humanity continues to be persecuted in the name of religion, region, nationality and language.
Ignorance, which stems from a lack of knowledge, breeds mistrust, fear, and eventually, hatred, if left unchecked. Once ignorance is dispelled, only then can we move forward to promote awareness, understanding, tolerance and dialogue of one another's culture, religion, and lifestyles. Life is just too short and precious to be held captive by ignorance and hate.
©Coons 2009
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 or http://www.culturallyspeak.com.
Coons is also the international editor for the Bahrain Telegraph, a monthly business magazine of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
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