January, 2002

The Incorrect Image of Islam in the Western Media

Khaled Al-Aswar

Chief among the negative consequences of the events of 11 September was the deformation of the image of Islam in the Western media. A fixed model was formulated linking terrorism to Islam. The violent attacks in which Muslims were convicted brought about a state of direct animosity against Islam in Europe and the United States. Most Arab and Islamic countries were listed among the zones that endanger European and US security.

A strong current in the West now pictures Islam as the common enemy that has replaced communism. Observers of Western media are noticing an increasing tide of animosity against Islam and Muslims living in Western countries. They attribute this to incorrect understanding on the part of some Western intellectuals of Islam and its teachings, and the tendency to highlight the incorrect practices of some Muslims, generalise and deform the image of Islam as a whole.

The rectification of the image of Islam in the West requires strong and persistent efforts from the Muslims themselves, both in the Islamic world and in Muslim communities in the West. This effort should be a comprehensive process, starting from within by consolidating mechanisms of Islamic work on the popular and official levels. Muslims will never be able to improve their image before the world if they fail to appear as a nation of culture and civilisation. Effective initiatives must also be undertaken to educate the non-Muslim world concerning correct Islamic concepts, of peace and tolerance, and to clarify the incorrect views of Islam held by some that lead to conflict between the West and Islam.

However, breaking through the Western media is not an easy task for Arab and Muslim media as Western societies enjoy abundant media coverage that makes it unnecessary for them to look outside. Specialised institutions and organisations should thus be charged with the responsibility of managing a media programme to promote a true image of Islam, backed up by the necessary funding and human resources.