How can Muslims counter the negative image of Islam in the media?

With patience, with sensible explanation and above all with their own lives. An image built from headlines is best disproved by Muslims who act as Islam teaches.

Much of what is reported about Islam follows a simple pattern. Exciting news sells better than calm news. A Muslim who calls for violence makes the front page. A Muslim who sensibly explains what the Holy Qur’an teaches is often not mentioned at all. This creates an image that has little to do with the faith of most Muslims.

Old fears play a part too. The long history of wars between Christian and Muslim empires has left images in Europe that still have an effect today. Knowing these fears helps us understand why some prejudices are so stubborn.

We must also say honestly that some Muslims add to this image themselves. Where fanaticism rules, it does not come from love of Islam. Anyone who loves Islam would behave as the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) did, and nothing of this fanaticism is found in his life. Every religion has known times when people acted fanatically in its name. That says something about the people, not about the teaching.

So what can Muslims do? They can explain patiently, again and again, with reference to the Holy Qur’an, to history and to common sense. They should not meet hostility with anger but with kindness, as the verses above teach. And above all they should live in such a way that their neighbour, their colleague and their classmate can recognise Islam in them.

A headline is quickly forgotten. An honest and helpful person is remembered. The rest can be left to God, with prayer that hearts will open.