Realizing that deep-seated misconceptions are propagated through ill-informed media, a leading US Muslims group is launching a nationwide campaign to help the media with accurate information about Islam and Muslims.

"It is our duty, and that of the Muslim community, to make sure every journalist who writes about Islam or Muslims has access to accurate information," Rabiah Ahmed, Communications Coordinator at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a press release.

"Because we work with media professionals on a daily basis, we know the vast majority of journalists are doing the best job they can with the information resources they have available."

The campaigners will distribute the newly-published "American Muslims: A Journalist's Guide to Understanding Islam and Muslims" to some 40,000 media professionals nationwide.

One section offers a brief overview about Islam's basic beliefs, teachings and history.

Another, titled Challenging Common Misconceptions, clarifies the most common stereotypes, including Islam's stance on women, respect of other religions and stance on violence.

The guide also offer best practices for reporting on the Muslim community and definitions of the terminology often used in news stories or editorials.

Media professionals can request a free copy of the document through the " Beyond Stereotypes " Web site.

Negative portrayal of Islam and Muslims has become the norm in the media since the 9/11 attacks.

American Muslims, estimated at between six to seven million, complain that conservative newspapers and radio and television shows fuel anti-Muslim sentiments.

Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism — the US largest Jewish movement — has named and shamed Christian fundamentalist talk show hosts like Pat Robertson and Franklin Graham for demonizing Muslims.

Misconceptions

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, said the initiative comes at a time misconceptions and prejudices about Islam have surged dramatically.

"We recognize that much of the negative perception of Islam and Muslims is the result of negative actions by a tiny minority of Muslims," it said.

"That minority should not be allowed to overshadow the vast majority of Muslims in this country and worldwide who reject terrorism and religious extremism."

CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said widespread misconceptions also originate from ignorance of Islam teachings.

He noted that many still believe that Islam is associated with violence and extremism.

"Too often the faith of Islam gets painted with these kinds of negative actions," Hooper told CBN News.

"What we're trying to say is the vast majority of Muslims in this country and worldwide reject terrorism reject religious extremism."

A September survey by Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum founded that the majority of Americans know very little about the practices of Islam.

It indicated that attitudes toward Muslims and Islam have grown more negative in recent years.

Source: Islamonline.net

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