‘UNITE TO CHANGE PERCEPTION OF ISLAM’
Be good neighbours to non-Muslims, urges US imam
MUSLIMS should stand united to show the correct image of Islam and strive to change the negative perception about the religion and be good neighbours to non-Muslims.
Chicago-based imam and founder of Sound Vision Foundation Abdul Malik Mujahid said Islamophobia was not a product of people being ignorant, but because Muslims were weak and isolated.
“If we engage in society, we will empower ourselves and present the Muslim brand so people cannot brand us as bad people, like terrorists.
“Unfortunately, in terms of bringing Muslims together, Islamophobia has not done so,” he said in an interview with the New Sunday Times.
Malik said Sound Vision Foundation focused on public relations, media and resource development for Muslim and nonMuslim communities in the United States.
This endeavour, he said, had made it possible for Muslims to correct false perception about Islam in the West through popular media.
“Our tagline is ‘Keeping young Muslims Muslims, and keeping our neighbours friends’.
“Islam is always on television, but portrayed wrongly, that gives us our assignment.
“We want to present Islam in the right way and change people’s perception that we are bad people.
“This is why we focus on public and media relations for Muslims and non-Muslims,” he said.
Over the last six months, Malik said Islamophobia had resulted in the destruction of 40 mosques in the US, with 10 Muslims killed.
“Our non-Muslim friends are standing up for us.
“In a way, there is a silver lining that brings Muslims and non-Muslims together to fight against the nonsense that some people in the government put out.”
He urged Muslims to adhere to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, who said Islam considered justice not just for Muslims, but for everyone.
“We need to empower ourselves with good public relations and media. Instead of just condemning terrorism, think about the strategies to deal with it”.