Are We Misjudging Muslims?
“Far from the news headlines and in some of the most terror-afflicted places on earth, we can encounter great goodness that is just a part of daily life on the grassroots level,” notes Dr. William F. Vendley, our senior advisor for world religions and former secretary general of Religions for Peace. “Terror in the name of Islam is evil, but the ordinary Muslims who stand up to it are today’s unsung heroes. Believers in different religions are increasingly drawing strength from each others' good examples and standing together for our common good.”
Anti-Muslim sentiment has reached an all-time high globally. Muslims are demonized, discriminated against, and even killed. This happens because the media focuses on the criminal acts of a few insurrectionists and extremists. If proactive steps are not taken to address this crisis with an informed and positive approach, we may face the horrors of the past once again.
The Emir-Stein Center is fueled by urgency and hope. It is named after Emir Abdelkader Al-Jazairi. The center's mission is to refute extremism, counter misinformation about Islam and Muslims, and dispel ignorance through education.
The Emir-Stein Center's goal is to promote empathy and understanding. It aims to do this through religious and cultural literacy. If we embrace sacred love and connectedness, we can break down the barriers of prejudice and fear, especially the ones directed at Muslims. We can realize our shared humanity and foster compassion. This will let us counter the divisive stories that plague our societies. The Emir-Stein Center's work shows that sacred love is important. It helps to bridge gaps and create a world where all people are valued and understood.
If we unify our sacred morals to see that many of these Muslims are victims of circumstance, then two things should happen:
- Our mindset will shift away from disdain and fear of a people that harbors no ill will toward the rest of the world.
- We will be more welcoming and compassionate of Muslims around the world, showing them they do have a place in the great and sacred weave of humanity.
In this Emir-Stein Center video, Dr. Vendley responds to the provocative question, “Why Don’t Muslims Condemn Terrorism?” with powerful and poignant stories of courage and kindness—stories that he says are often drowned out by terrorist acts and almost never covered in the news. We invite you to watch and, perhaps, experience how, Dr. Vendley believes, “good stories have a direct route to the heart.”
