Al-Huda
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
the Message Continues ... 7/120
Newsletter for August 2011
Article 1 - Article 2 - Article 3 - Article 4 - Article 5 - Article 6 - Article 7 - Article 8 - Article 9 - Article 10 - Article 11 - Article 12
Providing a Voice for the Muslim Community
In the United States, the Muslim population is one that is
heavily featured in the media. However, extensive coverage does
not necessarily imply accuracy: Muslims are possibly the most
ill-represented group of people in American journalism. It is
our job, then, as Muslim journalists, to provide a voice for our
community that is so voiceless—and to do so with accuracy and
fairness.
It is important that our fellow Americans receive proper
information about Islam so that they may be enlightened to look
past a false image that has been created for us, and to see the
reality of a religion that is peaceful.
This brings me to address one of the most prominent issues
Muslims in the United States face: inadequate representation via
American media. This action, providing misinformation to
Americans, has led to several sub-issues we also
encounter—discrimination and wrongful accusation, among others.
I embody a belief that journalists are naturally compelled to
question. When a Muslim is scolded for an act of “terrorism,”
for example, the question should be raised: What defines
terrorism? When a man by the name of Mohammad is excessively
searched at an airport, or a hijabi woman is refused service at
a public business, we must question these actions. What
necessitates these actions? Would such rules apply to this woman
if she had walked into said business with her hair exposed?
Would this man at the airport be delayed and searched the name
on his passport were Michael? This is what we need to be
addressing specifically as Muslim journalists. Anyone can
question, but journalists have the power of the media: if we can
publish accurate information, speak with the right people and
demolish the discrimination behind these issues, our nation and
our religion will, inshaAllah, flourish in this regard with
acceptance and peace.
For two years, I worked as a columnist for the local paper in my
hometown, the
Frederick News-Post. During those years, I often
used my column space as a way of addressing some of the
aforementioned issues, in attempt to increase understanding of
Islam in my region. One issue specifically that I picked up was
the lack of parallelism in recognition of Muslim holidays in our
school system. Although our city’s statistics showed that Islam
was one of our most populous religions, Muslim holidays were not
recognized on Frederick County Public School calendars. In my
coverage of this matter, I included personal experiences of
having to miss important days of school to celebrate Eid, or
vice versa, missing my family’s Eid celebrations due to
important schoolwork. Personally, I find this predicament
unfair. As a result of publishing this column, a representative
from the Frederick school board contacted my editor, asked that
I call her, and she later put in a request for Muslim holidays
(with dates I provided) to be included from then on in our
school calendars. The following school year, Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr
and Eid al-Adha were all highlighted in the Frederick County
Public School handbook and calendar.
Though the change I initiated merely succeeded in one county, I
felt accomplished in making some positive impact to my local
Muslim community. It reflected another issue that Muslim
Americans face: lack of recognition and, in some cases, basic
rights. And the result showed me that it is possible, when the
right people are listening, to make a difference and gain the
rights we deserve as American Muslims.
A factor that has drawn me to the field of journalism is that it
is constantly expanding, improving, and adapting to the
futuristic goals of American society. While some denounce the
potential of journalism today due to our nation’s economic
stance, I see this situation another way: the decline of print
journalism simply enables us to write, speak, and reflect in
alternative ways. For example, journalism has expanded today to
the realm of social media, where news networks (and readers) are
able to disseminate news via social networking sites, blogs,
etc. I take full advantage of this as a citizen journalist. For
example, recently, as I am sure you are aware, members at the
Virginia House of Delegates have protested the attendance of
Imam Johari Abdul-Malik (of Dar al-Hijrah) at one of their
recent meetings. This event, an example of the discrimination
mentioned above, naturally frustrated me as it comes as a result
of misinformed citizens at the hands of the media. To spread the
word, I used my Facebook page as a medium, voicing my
perspective on the matter as a Muslim. I posted a link to a
video and wrote a brief paragraph—citing the occurrence as an
insult to Muslims and the result of misunderstanding between the
two populations.
What I hope to accomplish as a Muslim journalist is the bridging
of that gap: there shouldn’t be two “populations;” Muslims and
non-Muslims in the United States should be able to coexist as
one group. I hope to, with the support of our nation’s Ummah,
create a sense of understanding that will rid our society of
circumstances in which non-Muslim Americans feel threatened,
afraid, or angered as did the Virginia Delegates. The word
Sha’riah should not be one whose connotation is
negative, as it is, in reality, a respectable set of values.
Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, but without the
right coverage in media, we will never be understood as
such—that’s what necessitates Muslim journalists.
Additionally, as a female, I hope to show America that Muslim
women are not suppressed, and are just as capable and educated
as anyone else. This is but an additional benefit to succeeding
as a Muslim journalist in America.
Now is the time to stand up for ourselves and reach out to those
around us. It is all in our hands, and it won’t happen unless we
come together and educate others. As the Prophet (SAWS) said,
“ink of the pen of a scholar is more precious than the blood of
a martyr.” InshaAllah, I can continue to provide a strong
defense to Muslims nationwide in a way that is peaceful, as
Islam teaches – through journalism.
HOME - NEWSLETTERS - BOOKS - ARTICLES - CONTACT - FEEDBACK
DISCLAIMER:
All material published by Al-Huda.com / And the Message Continues is the sole responsibility of its author's).
The opinions and/or assertions contained therein do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this site,
nor of Al-Huda and its officers.