11.5 Islamic Extremism

WHO? Islamic Extremist Terrorists.

WHAT? Are disproportionately feared and blamed for the US terrorist threat.

WHEN? From 2006 to 2015, less than 12.5% of US terrorist attacks were perpetrated by Muslims.

WHERE? Yet during the same period, the Muslim attacks received 357% more media coverage.

WHY? It’s time to put things back in proper perspective. It’s time to stop the hatred.

Understandably, since 9/11 the US has become sensitive to Islamic extremist terrorism. A 2017 Pew Research survey, says 83% of Americans are concerned about Islamic terrorism. Unfortunately, our sensitivity has fueled misconceptions, discrimination, and even violence. In the same Pew survey, Americans only rated Muslims 48 degrees on a “feeling thermometer” that ranged up to 100 degrees. 48 degrees is chilly. Although this represented a 20% increase over 2014 survey results, those identifying themselves as Evangelical Christians were the only group who didn’t raise their estimate. Also according to the 2017 poll, 41% of Americans believe Islam is more likely to encourage violence, and 50% say Islam is NOT part of “mainstream American society”. And finally, 44% of Americans believe there is a natural conflict between democracy and Islam. As one survey respondent put it, “There is no democracy in Islam”. Again, these views are understandable in light of 9/11, and other attacks targeting the US and its interests stemming back to the 1970s. But a disproportionate concern and attention over Islamic extremism is not only distracting, but also distorting. It’s like studying tornadoes that only strike trailer parks. The picture is incomplete. To gain a more complete picture, let’s begin by dispelling some misconceptions. First of all, Islam does not advocate violence. It is a peaceful religion that guides its adherents on a life of goodness and piety based upon faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. Islam is not antithetical to Christianity or Judaism. Islam proclaims its heritage from the same bibles. Furthermore, Mohammed, the Prophet of Islam, was friends with both Christians and Jews. Islam is not incompatible with democracy. When Mohammed fled to Medina in 622 AD, he established a constitution that included different people with different beliefs. Also, today, there are at least four different Islamic states practicing various forms of democracy. They are Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, and Iraq. Neither are Muslims incompatible with America. 3.45 million Muslims live in the United States, comprising 1.1% of the population. Although younger, Muslims compare generally the same, demographically, with the rest of the population. According to the 2017 Pew survey, 92% of Muslims say they are “proud to be American”, compared with 91% of the general US public. Moreover, 80% of Muslims say they are satisfied with their lives compared to 76% of the US public. Unfortunately, the disproportionate concern over Islamic extremism is perpetuated by the media. Out of 136 terrorist attacks in the US over 10 years, Muslims committed only 17, or 12.5%. Despite their low incidence, Muslim attacks received 357 percent more media coverage than those committed by other groups, according to a 2019 study by Georgia State University. The study also cited a Gallup poll in which nearly half of Americans believe they or a family member are likely to be victim of a terrorist attack. Nothing could be more preposterous. Since 9/11, only about 300 Americans have lost their lives to domestic terrorist attack. You have a greater chance of being killed by lightning than terrorism. Which begs the question, why all the concern about terrorism? I’ll save that one for later. The more immediate concern is the disproportionate attention given Islamic extremism. As we said at the beginning, the misconceptions have fueled discrimination and even violence. Discrimination has manifested itself in opposition to Muslim refugees, mosques, cemeteries, and schools. Discrimination is also exhibited in anti-Muslim statements by elected officials, and hate crimes. In March 2019, an Australian man attacked two mosques in Christchurch New Zealand, killing 50. It’s time to stop the hatred.