Breaking Stereotypes

[AhlulBayt_313]

(bismillah)

 

Assalamu Alikoum,

 

I have a question, which has been something bothering me since I converted to Islam.

 

Most people; in general, I come across are happy to hear the news of a conversion. However, I've also had the privilege of enduring the semi-common stereotypical questions posed by Muslim's, "Are you an agent?" They say this jokingly; however, I believe there is some truth in its humor.

 

Now, I usually smile and dismiss their stereotypical profile, but the more people I encounter, I am seeing this is something needed to be discussed.

 

How do we bridge the gaps? How to we break the stereotypes?

 

I know there are (in fact) people who join Islam in the wrong light; but for those of us who are sincere, it is very hurtful and I see it as nothing more than a lack of support and discrimination. 

 

Now, like many of us who have converted to Islam, we did it for the sake of Allah SWT, but I feel many don't understand our passion, or reasoning behind our conversion.

 

It's not even important to me if you don't understand and/or believe why I converted, but it's truly disheartening that some of our brother's and sister's cant accept us or our intentions.

 

There are fake people on both sides of the spectrum; whether it be a convert or someone born into the religion, I feel we need to make better strides in the acceptance of our new converts to Islam.

 

I won't drag this one out, I just want someone to shed some light on the matter, and be truthful. Many new converts leave Islam in less than 3 years for this lack of support; luckily, I am not one of them. My love for Allah SWT, His Messenger (pbuh), and the Ahlul-Bayt  (as) is etched in my heart.

 

I have spoken to several converts, and I am now asking on behalf of them, as well as myself.

 

I know we cant change ignorant people and their cultural ways, but I do believe it's important to address the issue.

 

(wasalam) AB313

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 24, 2015 by hameedeh

[aliasghark]

Wa alaikum assalam. 

 

Perhaps some people's suspicions are for good reason, as at least in the US there has been unprecedented harassment of innocent Muslims by the FBI and CIA, among other agencies (see below). You should try to be more understanding, try to be patient with the one or two odd Muslims who may have had doubts due to past incidents. 

 

From Democracy Now!

After spying on Muslim communities throughout the northeastern United States, the NYPD admits it failed to yield a single terrorism investigation, or even a single lead. We speak with AP reporter Adam Goldman, who has been following the story.

 

 

FBI Surveillance Today: Bay Area Agents Used "Community Outreach" to Gather Intelligence on Muslims: http://www.democracynow.org/2012/4/4/fbi_surveillance_today_bay_area_agents

 

NYPD Muslim Spy Scandal Grows with Newly Revealed Plan to Target Shiite Mosques: http://www.democracynow.org/2012/2/3/nypd_muslim_spy_scandal_grows_with

[AhlulBayt_313]

(salam)

 

The point of creating the thread was to create awareness and shed some light for the sincere converts to Islam.

 

I am not oblivious to the fact that there are people who are wrongfully joining the religion (like in the said video) for other reasons; I made that clear in my post.

 

I wanted some beneficial information to pass along to the 'real' converts, so they don't become discouraged on their journey.

 

I don't see how you posting a video like that (one) is going to make new converts feel accepted; in fact, it just shows more reason to enhance the discrimination.

 

I wanted POSITIVE feedback.

 

Something enlightening to bridge the gaps and the stereotype...

 

I do understand your reasoning why people might be suspicious to new converts, but it's not enough for me to accept that as a reason for discrimination.

 

Patience is important, I agree. Thank you.

 

(wasalam)

Edited March 2, 2015 by AhlulBayt_313

[aliasghark]

Wa alaikum assalam. 

 

Well converts already are welcomed by most people, so it's quite positive. No need to panic. 

 

As for the negativity among one or two people, that's to be expected as every large community will have its black sheep, especially when that community has been unfairly prosecuted by the authorities before. 

[AhlulBayt_313]

Thank you for your feedback.

 

(wasalam)

[Reza]

You vs the media.  Media usually wins. 

[abubasil]

Faith is Moral stance towards Allah. Eman or faith is unlike the believe in gravity or other natural facts

faith in Islam is an attitude...

[guest050817]

To be honest, it's quite a tragedy you were treated in the way you were. As if people who did not 'revert' per say have any right to begin making judgements like that. Only Allah swt knows our real intentions and i have no reason to believe you converted due to your passion for Islam, the Prophet pbuh, and the truth, light and wisdom of them all including the ahlulbayt a.s (and ofcourse for other reasons)

 

Quran: "O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful."

[guest050817]

Woops! Big typo made above: I meant to say i have no reason to doubt*

[Bakir]

This type of racism (because I can't come accross a better word to define such behaviour) can be even found in hawzahs (I know two cases, sadly). It is something that must be improved, but regardless of how good and pure a message is, people are people, and it is hard to make them change. They will follow their religion in the most comfortable way possible avoiding any sacrifice and self judgement.

[Chaotic Muslem]

Oh a similar question was asked by Ali Musa in chat room :

Why born Muslims are obsessed with conisperacy theories ?

Lol

I think we are paranoid. I know I am. We are living in mostly non safe places. Lot of spies, lots of taqyiah , lots of enforcing non Islamic conditions on Muslims like banks interests , discouraging hijab, radicalization of practicing Muslims .

There are lots of hired writers as well. They might not be hired by enemies originally but their destructive thoughts attract the enemy to them so we read their articles on enemy newspapers.

Basically, we are trying to push away the destructive personalities from our groups. Out of our mosques, out of our majalis.

I might not like everything done and said by religious authorities in my area, but I won't work on making people dislike religion nor lose trust in religious people.

It is some balance we are trying to keep. Sometimes though, we miss the target.

[mina]

Well there are conspiracy theories which turned into conspiracy facts.Agents are in certain groups to spy this is is a fact.

But of course it's not ok to think generally converts might be spies.

[revertdundee]

As a revert to Islam, I find this topic of great interest. I know when i first decided to revert to Islam I contact the local Islamic Society (sunnie) and Mosque via email a few times and never once received a reply. It could be due to them not trusting - I do not know, but i am now glad they never, as I then found Shia.

 

So far I have not had much contact with other Shia Muslims but someone from the Aberdeen Ahlul Bayt Society came down to my city to meet with me, explained the basics of Shia Islam and took Shahada with me. Hopefully others that I meet are as accepting as he was.