What misconceptions of Islam do you have?
Muslim group wants to educate the community
Five men stood on Mill Avenue in Tempe on Saturday afternoon holding signs reading, “I’m a Muslim. Ask me anything.”
The public responded with hugs, high-fives, car-horn honks and a few questions.
The men, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, were part of a nationwide effort Saturday for Muslims to introduce themselves to their communities and to individuals who may have never met someone of the Islamic faith. A 2014 Pew Research Center survey determined that despite Muslims making up 1 percent of the U.S. population, approximately 62 percent of Americans said they did not know a single one. “Meet a Muslim” events were held in 25 states and Washington, D.C.
“I’m really hoping to break stereotypes and help people become more open-minded,” said Soleman Haque, 23. “Not to convert them, but to help them learn a little more about what Islam is and who we are.”
On Mill Avenue, the group handed out pamphlets explaining “True Islam” in an attempt to change some misconceptions. The pamphlet stated, “True Islam is a religion that ...” » Rejects all forms of terrorism. » Believes in the equality, education and empowerment of women. » Advocates for freedom of speech. » Advocates for separation of mosque and state.
» Believes in loyalty to your country of residence.
» Recognizes “no religion can monopolize salvation.”
“I’m really hoping to break stereotypes and help people become more open-minded.”
An encouraging response
The men said they were encouraged by the public’s response.
Haque said he and Mabroor Khan, 27, met a woman who said they were the first Muslims she’d ever met. They encouraged others to not let extremists who invoke the religion in acts of terror define how they see all Muslims.
Waheed Khan, 68, said actually getting to know someone who is Muslim can greatly shape their perspective on the religion. Born in Pakistan, Khan said the United States possesses a “beauty” in its accepting society that was demonstrated Saturday.
“We feel an obligation to share ourselves to others,” Khan said. “We want to open ourselves to anyone and answer their questions.”
Turbulent times
The event came in the wake of a monthlong back-and-forth legal battle following President Donald Trump’s executive order permitting a temporary travel ban barring visitors from a number of predominantly Muslim countries. In February, a federal judge in Seattle issued a temporary restraining order halting the ban after multiple states sued and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reinstate the order.
The Trump administration drafted a new plan written with the intention to withstand challenges in federal courts, USA TODAY reported .
Effective March 16, the revised executive order suspends the U.S. refugee program and prohibits new visas for people from six majority-Muslim countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. However, nationals holding green cards or valid visas in the U.S. will not be affected as they were in the original executive order.