Let me break it down for the newcomers:
1. Shooters killed 12 people in a terror attack at Charlie Hebdo's office in France
2. 4 hostages were killed in a supermarket shooting
3. The first police officer on the scene was a Muslim man and he died trying to protect those who ridiculed his religion.
Naturally, #killallmuslims trended on twitter. That got me thinking, how many of us non-Muslims actually know anything about Islam. I decided the world was in need of some Islam appreciation. Let's go.
Et'hem Bey Mosque, Albania (6)
What is Islam?
Islam is a religion. One who practices this religion is a Muslim.
Islam does not equal terrorism. Muslim does not equal Arab.
"Islam, which literally means "surrender" or "submission," was founded on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as an expression of surrender to the will of Allah, the creator and sustainer of the world." (1)
Taj Mahal, India (6)
When was Islam created or founded?
Islam was created in the 7th century CE (1)
Grand Mosque of Cordoba (6)
Where is Islam practiced?
Everywhere. Muslims make up 23% of the world population. (2)
61% of Muslims live in South and Southeast Asia. (2)
19.8% in the Middle East and North Africa (2)
Muslims make up the majority of the population in 49 countries (including the 22 Arab Nations). (2)(3)
Hassan II Mosque, Morocco (6)
How does Islam work exactly?
There are five pillars of Islam. I will list them in no particular order.
First things first, Muslims have to admit and believe God (Allah) is the one and only god and Muhammad was his prophet. (4)
They have to pray five times a day. Sunrise, noon, afternoon, sunset, night. They also have to read the Quran. (4)
They have to make a haj. Which means if you are financially and physically able to travel to Mecca, you must. (If you're broke or broken, you get a free pass) (4)
Then Ramadan. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic year. Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset (no food AND no water). This is to feel the feels of the poor people. They are also supposed to avoid all bad behavior including insulting people. (4)
The last pillar is called Zakat. This is giving to charity. Not only do they feel the feels of poor people but they also help out the poor people. (5)
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem (6)
Why do Muslims do what Muslims do?
Muslims don't eat pork. They don't drink alcohol. I believe they don't smoke.
Muslim women/girls wear hijabs when they get their period. They cover their bodies and they aren't supposed to wear tight clothes. Technically they shouldn't even wear pants. (5)
Everyone has different reasons for doing things, but it all boils down to one simple thing: Muhammad said God said to do it.
Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia (7)
I see Muslim women wearing pants, tight clothes, or even no hijab! What's the deal?
Here is a quote from my friend who wears a hijab and pants:
"Basically it's because I don't show any skin and cover it and also like the majority of muslims (including me) we aren't supposed to be wearing skinny jeans or anything tight. In fact wearing pants is haram (forbidden) for women because it resembles men. And we should be wearing skirts and baggy shirts. This is what i'm striving to do. I really want to get rid of my tight jeans. Also by doing all of this people will judge me by my personality and actions. Not physical appearance. It's all about my inner beauty. And because by wearing tight close and such can attract unwanted attention if you know what I mean. When I first put on my hijab it wasn't my choice. And it wasn't my parents either. It was actually a girl in my class and we were in grade six. So this girl told me that I should wear the hijab…and she was right. So I went home and the next day I came back wearing a hijab. To be honest I struggled with it for a while. But that stopped immediately when I understood the true meaning of wearing the hijab and I fell in love with the whole thing. And until now I'm still trying to wear the hijab the right way with the right attire. It's hard of course to do that when basically 70% of people in this world are doing what you're trying to stay away of. But recently I've learned that when it's harder to achieve something the bigger the reward for it." -Merna El-Sawi
This is a quote from my friend who is Muslim but doesn't wear a hijab:
"It's [Islam] just perfect in everything yet I'm not perfect." -Myrna Abduallah
Selimiye Mosque, Turkey (7)
Who cares?
I do. I care. I think that if anyone is going to defend or ridicule (or even threaten the lives of) anyone based on what they are (race, religion, gender), then you should at least have a little background information.
I am so impressed with Muslims. To be so self-disciplined to pray five times a day, to not eat during the day for a month (and several other times a year), to travel thousands of miles to a place they've never been, to cover their entire body, to never experience the thrill of bacon, to not insult people on an empty stomach. To be so sure if their beliefs they're willing to walk out and let everyone know.
This is from a post I saw on tumblr:
"shout out to all my sisters who still wear hijab, niqab, and burka every day with all the islamophobia goin on
y'all brave"
This is a quote by me:
"The fact that Muslims can match an entire outfit with a hijab is incredible. I can barely match a t-shirt and jeans."
Si-yo-se-pol, Iran (7)
How do we stop islamophobia?
It's as simple as
-think before you speak.
-don't be afraid to call people out on the things they say.
-when you're called out admit your wrong doing and learn from it.
I hope you guys enjoyed this post. I spent a lot of time researching and getting pictures and talking to people.
Sorry for the lack of posting. The laptop I use is currently broken, and it's hard to do some things on mobile but I'm dealing. As soon as the laptop is fixed, Corie in Egypt will be getting a makeover because it needs one and I'm going to make it a more permanent blogging home. I'm also taking more time to outline and edit my posts so they aren't just ramblings of a teenage exchange student and they are more neat and easy to read. This post is kind of long but I wanted to contribute to the conversation that never seems to end.
2015 is the year of shameless self-promotion so,
If you did enjoy this post be sure to like it and Corie in Egypt on Facebook.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about anything leave them in the comments and I will try my best to get you some answers.
If you know someone who would like this post, be a good friend and share it.
You are awesome and as my sixth grade history teacher says, learn something today.
Byeeeeee
Corie.
Sources galore
(4) Discussion with Taher M Ali
(5) Discussion with Merna El-Sawi
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