Image of Islam in West and Muslim Ummah Responsibility | Editorials by CSS & PMS Aspirants
The following article, “The Image of Islam in the Western World and Responsibility of Muslim Ummah”, is written by Noshaba Orangzeb, a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali. Moreover, the article is written on the same pattern, taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. Sir Kazim has uploaded his students’ solved past paper questions so other thousands of aspirants can understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Islam’s portrayal in the Western world remains a topic of heated debate, often shaped by historical tensions, political rhetoric, and the media’s selective storytelling. Over the years, Islam has been framed as a religion at odds with modern democratic values – one that suppresses women and fosters extremism. While these perceptions are primarily misguided, the Muslim Ummah has, to some extent, failed to counter them effectively. Therefore, the responsibility to reshape the narrative falls not only on Western policymakers and media outlets but also on Muslims themselves. Thus, unity, proactive engagement, and a steadfast commitment to eradicating extremism are essential if Islam is to be seen for what it truly is – a faith rooted in peace, justice, and coexistence.
A Legacy of Knowledge and Misrepresentation
Looking at its historical roots, Islam and the West have not always been adversaries. In fact, the early centuries of Islamic civilization were marked by a flourishing of knowledge, culture, and interfaith collaboration. For instance, during the Golden Age of Islam (7th-14th centuries), Muslim scholars made significant contributions to mathematics, medicine; philosophy; and astronomy – many of which later fueled Europe’s Renaissance. However, as history progressed, tensions between the two civilizations grew. Specifically, the Crusades, colonial expansion, and the rise of Orientalist narratives in the 18th and 19th centuries hardened perceptions, which cemented an image of Islam as the ‘other’ – a civilization in perpetual conflict with the West. More recently, global events – particularly the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent War on Terror – have exacerbated Islamophobia, thereby painting the entire faith with the brush of extremism.
Now is the time to analyze the spread of multiple narratives, which becomes the offshoot of conflict between both blocs.
- Islam and the Misconception of Violence
To start with, the most damaging misconception is Islam’s alleged connection to violence and terrorism. In many cases, the West’s understanding of Islam is filtered through the actions of radical fringe groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, entities that distort the religion’s teachings for their political agendas. However, in reality, the overwhelming majority of Muslims worldwide reject violence and actively condemn acts of terror. For instance, the Quran, Islam’s Holy book, explicitly forbids the killing of innocents, stating: “Whoever kills an innocent person, it is as if he has killed all of humanity” (Quran 5:32). Yet despite these clear theological principles, media bias ensures that the violent acts of a few extremists receive disproportionate coverage. At the same time, the voices of peace-promoting Muslims remain largely unheard. Given this reality, the burden of changing this perception thus rests on both the Muslim Ummah and responsible journalism.
- Islam and Women’s Rights: A Complex Narrative
In addition, another widely propagated fallacy is that Islam is inherently oppressive toward women. For instance, the hijab, a symbol of modesty in Islam, is often misrepresented as an instrument of subjugation rather than a personal or religious choice. However, Western discourse tends to ignore the fact that many Muslim women wear the hijab voluntarily as an expression of their faith and identity. Notably, scholars like Lila Abu-Lughod have argued that the Western obsession with the ‘liberation’ of Muslim women is often paternalistic and fails to consider the diversity of women’s experiences within Islamic societies. Furthermore, Islam historically granted women rights to education, property ownership, and financial independence long before Western legal systems did. But despite these historical facts, patriarchal misinterpretations and selective reporting have allowed the perception to persist that Islam is at odds with gender equality.
- Islam and Democracy: A False Dichotomy
Similarly, the charge that Islam is incompatible with democracy is another misrepresentation fueled by selective Western narratives. For illustration, critics often cite authoritarian regimes in Muslim-majority countries as evidence that Islam fosters autocracy. However, this argument ignores the fact that political oppression is not unique to Muslim nations; instead, it is a consequence of historical, economic, and geopolitical factors. Moreover, the principles of justice (adl), consultation (shura), and public welfare (maslaha) – all intrinsic to Islamic governance – align with democratic values. For example, nations, such as Malaysia; Indonesia; and Tunisia, exemplify how democracy and Islam coexist harmoniously. Thus, the real challenge lies not in Islam but in the political structures governing certain states.
Given these prevailing misconceptions, recognizing that the responsibility to reshape Islam’s image does not lie solely with Western media or policymakers is essential. Instead, the Muslim Ummah must take proactive steps to address internal issues that contribute to negative perceptions.
- The Role of the Muslim Ummah in Image Correction
First and foremost, one such step is a united stand against extremism. Although extremist ideologies represent a minuscule fraction of the Muslim population, their impact is disproportionately destructive. Therefore, Islamic scholars, community leaders, and educators must take it upon themselves to counter radical ideologies with theological and intellectual rigor. As a result, the propagation of a peaceful and tolerant interpretation of Islam thus should be prioritized in mosques, educational institutions, and digital platforms.
- Fostering Interfaith Dialogue and Understanding
Moreover, Muslims must actively engage in dialogue with non-Muslim communities to foster mutual understanding. For instance, interfaith initiatives, academic discussions, and public lectures can serve as bridges to dispel myths about Islam. Additionally, the Quran encourages such engagement, stating, “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best” (Quran 16:125). In today’s digital age, social media also presents a unique opportunity for Muslims to reclaim their narrative. Therefore, leaders and influencers within the Muslim world must leverage these platforms to highlight Islam’s contributions to civilization; its stance on justice; and its rich cultural diversity.
- Addressing Internal Divisions within the Muslim World
Lastly, the internal divisions within the Muslim world must be addressed. For illustration, sectarian conflicts, political rivalries, and ideological rifts weaken the collective voice of the Ummah. Moreover, Islam emphasizes unity, as evidenced by the Quranic verse, “The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers” (Quran 49:10). Therefore, if Muslims are to counter external misrepresentations effectively, they must first resolve their internal fractures. Otherwise, a fractured Muslim world is easily manipulated and misrepresented by those who seek to perpetuate negative stereotypes.
The Role of Western Media and Politics
However, it would be disingenuous to place the entire burden of image correction on the Muslim Ummah alone. After all, Western media and political institutions have played a significant role in distorting Islam’s image, often for strategic purposes. Such as, sensationalist reporting, selective outrage, and biased portrayals in entertainment industries reinforce Islamophobic narratives. To illustrate this, studies have shown that news reports are more likely to associate the word ‘terrorist’ with a Muslim suspect than with individuals of other faiths. Therefore, the Western world must recognize its complicity in shaping Islam’s negative perception and take steps to ensure more balanced, responsible coverage.
Moving Beyond Political Fear-Mongering
Finally, political rhetoric in the West often exploits Islamophobia for electoral gains. In many instances, anti-Islam sentiments have been leveraged by populist leaders to rally support, portraying Muslim immigrants as threats to national security. As a result, this not only fuels discrimination but also alienates Muslim communities, making integration more difficult. Therefore, if true coexistence is the goal, the West must reject fear-mongering tactics and foster policies that encourage inclusivity rather than division.
A Shared Responsibility for Change
In light of these challenges, acknowledging the road to transforming Islam’s perception is long but not impossible is crucial. Through intellectual discourse, interfaith dialogue, and responsible media representation, the gap between Islam and the West can gradually be bridged. Meanwhile, the Muslim Ummah must proactively reclaim its identity by actively addressing internal divisions and reinforcing Islam’s core values of peace, knowledge, and justice. Likewise, Western societies must recognize their role in perpetuating biased narratives and commit to fair representation. Ultimately, mutual understanding can only be achieved when both sides move beyond stereotypes and engage in constructive dialogue, thereby laying the foundation for a world built on respect and coexistence.
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