Religion, culture, and territorial units are often confused and misinterpreted as concepts. In that way, people describe cultural practices as part of a religion or consider all country residents to be of similar beliefs. It is a significant differentiation to make as a misconception about what the concepts mean can lead to the previously mentioned stereotyping or even discrimination.
I must agree that the Western media chooses what aspects of the Islamic faith to portray as worse than others, according to their standards. If Baha’ism is seen as more acceptable in Western culture, it is essential to understand why. Presumably, that is because the religion acknowledges one of God’s messengers to be Jesus Christ, thus incorporating Christian values into its fundamental beliefs. This reason further highlights the idea that differences in religious or cultural practices can lead to misunderstandings and conflict, while similarities promote acceptance.
Indeed, contrasting attitudes to moral concepts in different cultures inevitably lead to conflict. However, I’m afraid I have to disagree that perceptions of the Western and Muslim cultures are factual rather than stereotypical. According to a US report from 2015, 60% of voters voiced concerns about Muslim people being “terrorists,” demonstrating the negative portrayal of Muslim people in Western media [1]. Stereotypical views are always the basis of extremism as they tend to generalize a group of people into one (commonly negative) representation.
To understand the Western/Muslim conflict, it is essential to be able to distinguish between one’s cultural background and religion: not all American citizens are Christian, as not all Arab people are Muslim. Misunderstanding the difference leads to the improper judgment of one’s personal beliefs and values. Therefore, the terms “ethnicity,” “religion,” and “culture” should be recognized as synonyms only in the general perception, and non-applicable to formal discussions.
To avoid discrimination and prejudice, we must learn to appreciate the similarities between cultures. An important note was made about open-mindedness, as the attitude in approaching the issue often predetermines the way ideas are perceived. For example, the idea that Muslim people are “dangerous” will inevitably be a barrier in potentially valuable conversations. On the other hand, if marginalized groups do not feel heard, they lose their right to fight against negative perceptions. If anything, the least they can be offered is an opportunity to discuss their true intentions.
Furthermore, a safe space should be available to all who wish to speak up about their experiences as marginalized groups. NASPA’s study demonstrated that providing these safe spaces was crucial for students who experienced discrimination or prejudice [2]. I believe that there should not only be conversations, but we should also take action to ensure everyone’s voices are heard. In addition to that, an important note was made to listen and ask questions instead of assuming: assuming leads to making generalizations that can become hurtful to communities.
In the end, cultural differences are inevitable – we must not highlight them as negative factors in forming relationships. On the contrary, these differences can become a central discussion point. For instance, international schools dedicate days to celebrating each student’s culture, in this positive way showing the rewarding cultural aspects which are sometimes misrepresented through stereotypes. I would like to research any local historical workshops that would help to understand the origins of Islamic culture since the historical era as a perspective is just as important as philosophical values.
Bibliography
Ali, Diana. “Safe spaces and brave spaces.” NASPA Research and Policy Institute 2 (2017): 1-13.
Brown, Christia Spears, Hadeel Ali, Ellen A. Stone, and Jennifer A. Jewell. “US children’s stereotypes and prejudicial attitudes toward Arab Muslims.” Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy 17, no. 1 (2017): 60-83.