Muslims: The Negative Stigma

For my senior year of high school we were required to all write a research paper, notoriously known as the “Senior Research Project.” My topic was Muslim Extremism. Given that we are Americans, and in reference to the history of “terrorist activity” we have a negative connotation towards Muslims. Where little is actually known and understood about the religion, yet fully judged to the Extreme. Our media has deliberately put a Negative stigma on the Muslim religion, associating the followers and the ideals from only an extremist perspective. That in my mind is out of line and unfair to Islamic followers. Not everyone you see praying to Mecca, or who wears a turban, has fantasies of blowing up an airport to acquire “eternal paradise.” There are Muslims who are Americans, have similar goals, wish to better their lives, just like anyone of us. Also there are even Muslims at our school here at NDNU, also I’ve even had professors, and in fact a good friend of mine is Half- muslim. There are some violent and scary passages in the Qu’ran, in which extremists take too far, and then act on them. However, there are also very beautiful passages of religion, that have peaceful connotation.