When we think of Muslim stereotypes we immediately imagine scenarios of aggressive, bearded men holding a gun, of oppressed, sad women weeping in a room, and of a group of radicals ready to kill in the name of Jihad. The average Muslim knows just how incorrect this view is. We understand that there is truly much more to us than what the lens of Western Orientalism frames us in. We understand that our community promotes unity, happiness, and selflessness. We know that our religion is a model of socio-economic equality. However, as inferred from this title, there is a greater stereotype that binds our hands to Shaytan (the devil). A greater, stronger chain that covers our wrists and imprisons us within the bounds of Western ideologies. It cuffs our minds and tapes us to the ground, yet our hearts yearn to breakthrough. This stereotype is one that is much closer to us than we think. It is the stereotype of a good Muslim.
The irony of it may take some by surprise but truly think about it. Psychologists, like Erikson, mark the adolescent stage as “identity vs role confusion”. In this stage, we strive to go on our own journey of self-discovery and find out who we really are and what we want to become in the future. During this time we also crave social acceptance because we want to form ourselves into a person that is accepted by society. So, if we decide to be a good Muslim and strive to devote time and energy to God, then think about the social spiral around that conversation. The youth crave acceptance and striving levels of happiness and reward. So, why would one Muslim befriend another Muslim who would prefer to make dhikr (the remembrance of God) and read Quran (the Holy Book) as opposed to listen to music and go to parties? Why would one Muslim want to post/take pictures with a person who decided to prioritize inner beauty over outer beauty? Why would any normal Muslim teenager want to be “seen with” someone who randomly places their forehead on the ground 5 times a day? Muslim kids are craving acceptance, social lives, and (unfortunately) admittance into Western culture. We cannot be associated with anybody who stands as an “other”. That is where the problem starts.
This lack of acceptance and stereotypical view of perceiving Muslims takes a toll on some, and we decide to take the unfortunate decision and abandon an aspect of themselves. We can only put so much pressure on our reward-craving teenage brains, that sometimes we lower our ranks and go along with Shaytaan (devil).
But this is it!
A Muslim ummah (the whole community of Muslims bound together by ties of religion) that ridicules the striving Muslims, cannot form a unified Ummah. If we want to truly dispel those stereotypes of our oppressed Muslims, then we need to be able to take on these stigmas within our Muslim community first. The future depends on this generation’s struggles in the path of Islam to light the path for others. We cannot prepare ourselves to defends our brothers and sisters in Islam from other discriminating individuals, if we cannot protect ourselves from our own brothers and sisters. How are we any better, if we harm our own Muslims? They say action speaks louder than words, so let us take action.
Let us make sure that the next time we see one of our Muslim girls wearing a scarf, we say Salaam (peaceful greetings) and start a conversation. Let us make sure that the next time we see one of our Muslims praying zuhr (afternoon prayer) in a corner of the corridor in schools, that we make dua (Invocation) for them and approach them. Let us make sure that when we see one of our Muslims struggling to keep their Islamic identity we struggle with them.
During a time like this, when Muslims are at the brink of constant ridicule and hatred, it is upon us that we work hard to create a barrier of safety and acceptance for our own brothers and sisters in Islam. We need to shatter those lenses of orientalism-together. We need to prove the true meaning of Islam-together. We need to strive to spread da’wah (issuing a summons)-together. And the only way to do this together is to collectively pull on those chains and cuffs with enough dedication so that it breaks free, letting all our spiritually empowered self roam away from the reins of Shaytaan (the devil).
**Samiya Sajid is a Missouri-based, science and mental health enthusiast and student, who has experience with a wide spectrum of socio-political and scientific organizations. Her interests include photography, travel, creating the perfect peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, and scientific observation and study (psychology, more specifically).
Ms. Sajid’s interest in mental health began with her own journey of self-care and desire to develop a stronger connection to Islam. She is a proponent of inclusivity and the empowerment of Muslim and refugee children. She is the daughter of Indian immigrants, born in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Chicago, IL, and St.Louis, MO (respectively).