Campaign to improve the image of Islam

sajmal86 —

A campaign has begun in order to improve the image of Islam after a recent poll by YouGov revealed that more than half of British people associate Islam with terrorism and violence.

"Inspired by Muhammad" aims to promote Islam as a peaceful faith, and the positive contribution it has on British society. Posters of Muslims with captions read: "I believe in rights for women... so did Muhammad" will be seen at bus stops, Tube stations and even on London Cabs.

A YouGov poll found that 58% of the British population surveyed associated Islam with extremism, 50% associate it with terrorism and 68% feel the religion encourages the repression of women.

TV presenter and Islam convert Kristiane Backer is one of the many faces of the campaign.

She said: "This negative image is the reason for the need of a campaign, the reason for coming out with some positive news, reflecting the truth and showing what Islam is about and "Values of compassion, peace, mercy, women's rights, social justice - these are all part of Islam.

The image of Islam has deteriorated much since 9/11 and the terror attacks in London and Glasgow and at the same time Islam has become a hot topic for debate throughout much of Europe. Many of those taking part in the campaign hope to shed light on the peaceful and true image of what Islam really is and hopefully this will alter the thought of many, that Islam is less of something to be feared but a faith that welcomes all.

You can visit the Inspired by Mohammad site at http://inspiredbymuhammad.com/

You — Mon, 7 Jun 2010 - 13:47

I think there are benefits to being ostracised - and that is something maybe we can learn from the Gypsy community.

If the values of two communities are different enough, people may be less likely to try to find a middle ground and eventually compromise themselves through peer pressure (but they may still do so because of other reasons).

I think image is less important than education.

Anon1 (not verified) — Mon, 7 Jun 2010 - 15:43

What's their analysis of the actual causes? Do they have one? Anyone know of any links?

It is usually sensible to have a good grasp of an actual problem, rather than its symptoms, to ensure you solve it - otherwise you are busy addressing symptoms whilst the problem remains...

You — Mon, 7 Jun 2010 - 15:56

I think the same poll also mentioned that 67% thought they did not know much about Islam and if you compare that with 69% who thought it oppresses women, it is close.

It is greater though than 50% who thought it promoted terrorism, so I think we can take from there that even though some do not know about Islam, they have had some good contacts with some Muslims and that has eased their concerns about security.

So I would say education is the big thing that is needed.

TPOS — Mon, 7 Jun 2010 - 16:49

[quote=sajmal86]

"Inspired by Muhammad" aims to promote Islam as a peaceful faith, and the positive contribution it has on British society. Posters of Muslims with captions read: "I believe in rights for women... so did Muhammad" [/quote]

coool

Anonymous1 (not verified) — Mon, 7 Jun 2010 - 18:55

Hardly going to work with this sort of persecution going on;

ORDINANCE NO. XX OF 1984 PART II - AMENDMENT OF THE PAKISTAN PENAL CODE (ACT XLV OF 1860) (3) 298C... Any person of the Quadiani group or the Lahori group (who call themselves ‘Ahmadis’ or by any other name), who … invites others to accept his faith, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or in any manner whatsoever outrages the religious feelings of Muslims, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

Pellet (not verified) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 - 01:01

Here is a rather unpleasant face of Islam, to me anyway. There is no honor in murder.

No worries though, just ignore it and it may just go away, until it happens to someone you love or YOU!.

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/06/because-they-th…

Don't fool yourselves of the ignorance of 'non believers', there are many of us who study Islam in detail, you WILL have to fight us to the death. Something to look forward to.

Peace!

You — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 - 01:07

Hello Pellet, welcome.

I am not going to defend honour killings as I agree that they are wrong. But I have a question for you. What are your opinions on abortion?