The Negative Image of Muslims

BY: BASHEER AHMED

• 

Never before the Muslim Ummah, who once were at the forefront of science, technology, and innovation, had a lower esteem than the present time. The commonly held perspective contends that 9/11 destroyed the Muslim image. While that tragic incident was a major contributing factor to painting all Muslims with a broad brush as terrorists, there were forces in action to defame Muslims and the Muslim world long before that.

Orientalists like Bernard Lewis, and many before him, had openly attacked Muslims, referring them as terrorists and violent people. Unfortunately, Muslims did not get the platform to refute these blatant lies and allegations. The late Professor Edward Said, a Christian, wrote the only remarkable repudiation of these false contentions.