For another class, I am working on a project which addresses media-supported stereotypes of Arab Americans and Muslims, and the resulting xenophobic fear of 'otherness' as a result. Through my research on this project, my group and I have discovered some very interesting facts. One which really surprised me was the meaning of the word 'Jihad.' Through history classes that I have taken that have addressed the Islamic Faith, I have learned that the word 'Jihad' meant war or holy war. In reality, it means, struggle. And the Koran reflects that usage. I have grown up thinking that Jihad was a word that could be substituted with terrorism, but it is not to a huge majority of non - extremist Muslims. It was also interesting to find how 'Allah' is used is offensive to most Muslims. They way 'Allah' is used in the media, gives off the feeling that it is THEIR god. Actually, is a general term for God. The way the term 'Allah' is used makes it seem as though it separate from everything, and the god of only Muslims. They do not believe that. It makes it seem foreign and distant. Think of how it is common to say 'Oh my God!' when we are surprised.
I found these misconceptions to be very interesting, because they are so normal in our everyday life. They are even taught in classrooms! This project has been teaching me more and more how ill-informed we, as Americans, are and how that is facilitated through the media.
Meredith Cotter, Post #21
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